Should I move back to California

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Specializes in PCU.

I moved to the state of Utah from California about 3 years ago due to my husband’s new job in law enforcement. Prior to moving I was living and worked as a hospital RN in (Southern) Cali for several years for a couple of wonderful unionized hospitals - which I will always be a fan of. The pay was top notch, loved the patient to nurse ratio cap... I was even able to keep up with the obviously higher cost of living in Cali... and appreciated the fact that I still had a lot of take home pay.

I’ve been working as a hospital RN here in Utah for a little while now, but I keep contemplating moving back. Apparently I’m on the “higher pay grade” here in UT, but I still feel like nurses here aren’t being well-compensated enough... unions are not allowed here - which means no cap on the ratio...the cost of living isn’t that much lower either...especially if you’re wanting to live remotely close to The city. I also took a paycut. Upside - my current work hires a lot of CNAs!

My question is - since I’ve moved here - I’ve always wondered if moving back to CA would be a good idea. All my family’s there...my parents are willing and able to baby sit my 1 yr old - which would help me work full time again along with my husband - it’ll then help us keep up with the cost of living in CA. I miss the patient:nurse ratio cap, I miss the unionized hospitals...& the diversity. But my husband really likes his job in UT. Yes my hubby and I have discussed this matter numerous times. Just wanted to see what other nurses on here - especially those who’ve lived through the wage differences - would say. Anyone else going through the same experience?

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My daughter moved to CO temporarily. She or family on our end, schedule low cost flights back and forth every so often. You could discuss the feasibility of this kind of separation with your husband.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

If the cost of living isn't that different then yeah, why not move back? You'll be paid more and you'll have much better/safer ratios.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I'm just venturing this opinion - is your marriage STRONG enough to withstand the separation? That'd be my first consideration.

I know that military families have to experience long distance marriages over varying lengths of time. I also believe that many of those marriages have experienced marital stress because of the separation.

You talk about current employment factors - pay, unions, UAPs, travelers, n/p ratios, family support, etc. But other than your husband's strong career affinity for Utah, is he supportive?

Personally, that would be the tie-breaker for me.

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