I am a LPN student in MN. I was long considering moving to Fl, when I am done, but I am reconsidering because of low pay for nurses. I use to live in VA, and loved the scenery and think TN would be beautiful.
Some questions I have:
what is a typical pay rate for a new grad LPN?
Can I get loan forgiveness?
I plan on continuing for my RN, what are typical pay rates for new grad RN's?
What are good inexpensive places to live (typical apartment rental in Minneapolis area is about $600 for a one bedroom)?
Any other thoughts you all would have would be appreciated!
:balloons: Hi guy's. There is no question about it, having lived in and loved both locations, Tennessee is hands down the winner. The weather is great in TN.. The change of season is spectacular, the people are down to earth and wonderful. A typical winter in middle TN. is 40 to 50 degrees.It does occassionally go lower and higher than that in the winter. We would get a few snow storms of 1-3 inches 2-3 times a year( An inch was a snow storm for us with those hills. hee-hee) The grocery stores would sell out of meat, bread, and milk at the mere mention of flurries. Fall and spring were absolutely breath taking. Now here in Florida, it is summer year round. We were in the swimming pool on christmas day. The leaves never fall off the tree, unless you have a hurricane like we seem to keep repeating lately. Florida is great with the beach less than 15 miles away, and lots to do, and lots of job opprutunities. We are seriously considering moving back to TN. It is also a cheaper cost of living in TN.. I really investigated as much as I could on line and all I got was how much cheaper the cost of living was down here, and let me tell you there isn't anything at all cheaper down here. But the other side of that is it's almost like your on vacation full time down here(I'm inbetween jobs) . If u like it hot and sunny year round this place is for you. It is wild how many people are moving into the area that I live in(Lee County). They are moving here by the thousands,so there has to be something to that. Well good luck with your descion. Just do your homework. You can always move again, people do it everyday.
:balloons: Hi guy's. There is no question about it, having lived in and loved both locations, Tennessee is hands down the winner. The weather is great in TN.. The change of season is spectacular, the people are down to earth and wonderful. A typical winter in middle TN. is 40 to 50 degrees.It does occassionally go lower and higher than that in the winter. We would get a few snow storms of 1-3 inches 2-3 times a year( An inch was a snow storm for us with those hills. hee-hee) The grocery stores would sell out of meat, bread, and milk at the mere mention of flurries. Fall and spring were absolutely breath taking. Now here in Florida, it is summer year round. We were in the swimming pool on christmas day. The leaves never fall off the tree, unless you have a hurricane like we seem to keep repeating lately. Florida is great with the beach less than 15 miles away, and lots to do, and lots of job opprutunities. We are seriously considering moving back to TN. It is also a cheaper cost of living in TN.. I really investigated as much as I could on line and all I got was how much cheaper the cost of living was down here, and let me tell you there isn't anything at all cheaper down here. But the other side of that is it's almost like your on vacation full time down here(I'm inbetween jobs) . If u like it hot and sunny year round this place is for you. It is wild how many people are moving into the area that I live in(Lee County). They are moving here by the thousands,so there has to be something to that. Well good luck with your descion. Just do your homework. You can always move again, people do it everyday.
Thanks Hair,
It is hard for me to decide...I think I would love the change of seasons that TN offers...I think I may even be able to handle the winters. TN for me, brings to mind mountains, rolling hills, beautiful autumns, lots of trees, and my favorite....southern accents :kiss The only things I am concerned about is the amount of things to do. For instance...Florida has the Space Coast, the Everglades, Disney, Miami, the Keys, Tampa, etc. If I ever wanted to....there is an abundance of things to do. I'm not sure what TN has to offer, and how long you have to drive to do it. I could live in Nashville, but how long does it take to get to Chattanooga, or Memphis if I wanted to go. What other things does TN offer? I know there has to be an abundance....I'm just not sure what.
Thanks everyone for all the comments.....this gal my have to go to TN instead of FL!!
I live in a rural area of SE Tennessee. The nursing shortage doesn't seem to be as bad here as it is in other parts of the US. Cost of living is lower. There is no state income tax but sales tax is a killer- 9.25% in my county. In the more rural areas it can be hard to get your foot in the door if you're an "outsider" but in the cities I don't think it matters as much. I'm not sure what starting pay is for an LPN. My best advice to you no matter where you go is to negotiate a good salary right off the bat. I work in home health and recently changed jobs- am earning $10 an hour more at the new job. I know a nurse who lives and works in Florida. I think the wages are better there but they do have a slower time when all of the Snowbirds leave. Of course everyone may be vacating Florida for Tennessee after all of these hurricanes. There are lots of people from Florida in this area. The pace is slower here and the majority of the people are very nice. There are 4 distinct seasons here. Tennessee is divided into three areas- west, middle and east. Housing costs all depend upon where you are. In this area the mountains have become much more expensive lately- but less expensive than the mountains in N. Carolina still.
Just wanted to warn ya: as a new grad LVN you will want to do some research as to the place you will move to and work, and make sure the facility you work at is open to new grads and has an education dept that will be committed to your growth. You don't just want to be thrown to the wolves out there as a new grad, believe me.
Texas is a huge state but has lots of opportunities for LVN's, their practice act does not limit them as many other states do. I work with LPN's in ICU and they have challenged themselves to a skill level equal or greater than many RN's.
Cost of living very reasonable here. Employment at will, nonunion state...which is quite different than Minnesota. Nurses here generally find their workplace harder to take than other states (I had a bit of an adjustment coming from Mn) But...Texas has its plusses. Hot summers...humidity can be bad and worse closer to the coast. Lots of resort towns to visit on the Gulf Coast. Lots of big hospitals with big education depts that cater to new grads.
Some hospitals limit their LPN's some, others let them go as far as they desire. Experienced LPN's here make about 3-4 bucks an hr less than me in ICU, I think. New LPN's here probably start at 12-14 bucks an hr...variable.
Most hospitals have tuition reimbursement but I am unsure about loan forgiveness; many LPN's I know are working fulltime and pursuing their RN via distance ed with their facility's financial help.
Nurses here generally find their workplace harder to take than other states (I had a bit of an adjustment coming from Mn)
Good luck wherever you decide to go! :)
Mattsmom
What do you think makes TX such an adjustment for other nurses? I would consider Texas...pretty much anywhere where I will see next to, or no snow :chuckle. I do want a good orientation and learning process. I heard Houston is a good place for pay/living. Do you have any other cities you would recommend?
I live in Nashville so I will try to answer some of your questions. Your conference is at the Opryland Hotel. It is away from the city but has lots to do onsite. There are several bars and Opry Mills is a huge outlet mall. The hotel runs shuttles to the Wild Horse Saloon which where CMT started.
It snows maybe 2-3 times during the winter. There are usually more false alarms than actual events. We rarely dip below 10 degrees in the winter, highs in 30-40s. Things start to warm up in late Feb, early March. We have great shopping, lots of live music and not all of it is country, arts etc. Nashville is about 90 minutes from Chattanooga. 3-4 hours from Knoxville and the Smokies, and 4-5 hours to Memphis. Huntsville and Atlanta are also within easy driving distance.
Cost of living varies depending on where you live, some parts of town are pricier others. I live near Vandy, myself. I pay $810 for a 2 B, 2 B apartment. I have a roommate to split costs with.
It is also a cheaper cost of living in TN.. I really investigated as much as I could on line and all I got was how much cheaper the cost of living was down here, and let me tell you there isn't anything at all cheaper down here. But the other side of that is it's almost like your on vacation full time down here(I'm inbetween jobs) . If u like it hot and sunny year round this place is for you. It is wild how many people are moving into the area that I live in(Lee County). They are moving here by the thousands,so there has to be something to that. Well good luck with your descion. Just do your homework. You can always move again, people do it everyday.
Hairstylingnurse
344 Posts
:balloons: Hi guy's. There is no question about it, having lived in and loved both locations, Tennessee is hands down the winner. The weather is great in TN.. The change of season is spectacular, the people are down to earth and wonderful. A typical winter in middle TN. is 40 to 50 degrees.It does occassionally go lower and higher than that in the winter. We would get a few snow storms of 1-3 inches 2-3 times a year( An inch was a snow storm for us with those hills. hee-hee) The grocery stores would sell out of meat, bread, and milk at the mere mention of flurries. Fall and spring were absolutely breath taking. Now here in Florida, it is summer year round. We were in the swimming pool on christmas day. The leaves never fall off the tree, unless you have a hurricane like we seem to keep repeating lately. Florida is great with the beach less than 15 miles away, and lots to do, and lots of job opprutunities. We are seriously considering moving back to TN.
It is also a cheaper cost of living in TN.. I really investigated as much as I could on line and all I got was how much cheaper the cost of living was down here, and let me tell you there isn't anything at all cheaper down here. But the other side of that is it's almost like your on vacation full time down here(I'm inbetween jobs) . If u like it hot and sunny year round this place is for you. It is wild how many people are moving into the area that I live in(Lee County). They are moving here by the thousands,so there has to be something to that. Well good luck with your descion. Just do your homework. You can always move again, people do it everyday.