Tampa to Sacramento Nursing move. Is it worth it?

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Nov 17, 2019

Apply for your CA license way prior to applying. Many on here report long wait times for endorsement licensure and ridiculous issues with CA licensure. Don't apply until license in hand

Mursanary · Nov 17, 2019

Ok, great advice. Thank You.

Ella26, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2019

Can you try taking a travel assignment to test out the waters in Sacramento?...

Nunya, BSN · Nov 18, 2019

I just spoke to Google "compare cost of living Tampa FL to Sacramento CA". They had other parameters too, utilities etc

adventure_rn, MSN, NP · Nov 21, 2019

I had literally the exact same thought about a year after I became a nurse, and I researched this extensively. Yes, Sacramento has some of the best nursing salaries in the country relative to cost of living (Phoenix is also pretty high up there because the cost of living is way lower). Yes, the cost of living is higher in Sacramento than Tampa (especially the state taxes and housing prices), but it's offset by the fact that many Sacramento hospitals share the same union contract as San Fransisco hospitals, so you make San Francisco pay on a Sacramento budget.

However, the trade off is have you have to live in Sacramento (I'm only kind of joking). Take it from somebody who moved cross-country for a nursing job; moving to a place where you have no friends, no family, and no history can be incredibly lonely. I moved back home in less than two years, and the city I moved cross-country to live in was amazing (incredible outdoor activities, world-renowned museums, fabulous restaurants and nightlife). Sacramento is like a strip mall in the desert (sorry Sacramento...) Also, if you get all the way out there and realize it isn't what you hoped for, it's ridiculously expensive move back and forth (again, speaking from experience). However, you may have better luck than I did if you're taking a partner/spouse along with you or if you're extremely extroverted and will consistently put in the effort to plant roots.

I second the idea that you take some travel assignments out that way to ensure you'll actually like it before you schlep your whole life cross-country; I really wish I'd done it that way, since it would have been way easier and a heck of a lot cheaper. Honestly, you'll make even more money doing it that way than moving outright.

Also, be aware that sometimes Sacramento nursing jobs can be tough to come by considering the high salary and low cost of living. Just because you've got experience doesn't mean that you'll necessarily get hired right away. Traveling could help you make some connections.

Golden_RN, MSN · Nov 21, 2019

If you can get a job at Kaiser, the pay CAN be pretty good, esp with differentials. The other hospitals pay well but not as high as Kaiser. Jobs in CA Dept of Corrections can also pay high, with OT especially.

There have been lengthy conversations on this forum about pros/cons of living in CA that you can probably search for.

quittaRN · Dec 6, 2019

Hey fellow Tampanian,

I moved to California from Tampa, well I moved from Tampa 11 years ago but I have been in California since 2013. I have lived in southern California for a year and northern California for about 5 years. I have a love-hate relationship with California but I truly love my job here and all the benefits so that is why I stay. I do agree that if you do not have any family or friends here it will be hard to make any new friends especially being from Florida, people are not the same. The people here are nice don't get me wrong but it is not like Florida or anywhere in the south you just have to do a little more work. Also the pay and COL in Sacramento can't be beat so if you were to move to Sacramento I say do it, but please make sure you do your research because I knew all about Sacramento before I came here and just could not move there. But I live close by (because of the cost of living in the bay area). But I am mostly in the bay area. Although over the years I think that Sacramento has gone through a lot of changes and I think that it is getting better there is a lot more to do now. I hope that you will give Sacramento a try but again do your research. Also I agree that it would be ideal if you can take on a travel assignment so that you can get a feel before you take on a permanent job. It is also easier to get a permanent job as a traveler although I don't know if it is hard to get a job now of days. Good luck in your future plans.

Duttygal86, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2020

OP So you happen to work for Healthtrust in Tampa? The reason I ask is because you can take a travel assignment through Healthtrust to the Bay area (not Sacramento) pay is like 65-70/hr with OT starting at 8 hours. I live outside of Orlando and really want to test the waters & possibly relocate in the future.