Thinking of moving to NC - have questions

[gallicxy]

Hi All,

I am presently a RN who lives in NJ and who works nights at my local hospital. I am presently working Maternal/child but have 7+ years of Telemetry/cardiac nursing experience as well. I have my NRP and ACLS certifications. My husband and I are thinking of relocating with our family to the Clayton NC area.

Here are my questions?

Is this area of NC family friendly?

What is the job market for nurses like?

And most importantly what kind of salary can I expect?

What kind of Mortgage/rental payment could a nurse afford if I was the sole provider? Not long term but initially.

Here in NJ my base pay for per diem nights is 42.00. That doesn't include differential. I know that sounds high but the cost of living is through the roof. Part of the reason we are looking to relocate. I feel like I am running a rat race all of the time.

Any responses would be much appreciated

[JamesJr.]

Hello. I am a a junior in highschool, so my answers may not be as reliable, but I have grown up in NC for all my life.

(Also, no one else has responded so I will try to provide some info)

Is this area of NC family friendly?

The take on friendliness is different between people in my opinion. You will be classified as a Yankee, especially if you have an accent. Most of us do have "southern hospitality", so we try to be friendly to everyone. Almost everyone loves kids and the like, so family friendly is abundant if you have kids. Depending on your neighborhood is how friendly people can be. If you happen to live in the ghetto...sorry.

What is the job market for nurses like?

Nurses are very much needed everywhere in NC. You will find a job.

And most importantly what kind of salary can I expect?

You will make about 60,000 a year according to Salary.com. This is varying on your experience, credentials, overtime, etc. I'm only in highschool so I can't answer this adequately. HOWEVER, please know,as you mentioned, the cost of living is vastly lower here. I remember someone came down and bought a 2-story house (pretty big) for the same price as an apartment up north. In my city, a two-story house, pretty good shape, is 150k.

What kind of Mortgage/rental payment could a nurse afford if I was the sole provider? Not long term but initially.

I can totally not answer this.

[dreamon]

I have never been to the Clayton area personally, but I have only heard great things. You will be conveniently close to the RDU area yet in a smaller town atmosphere. The schools should be better than the more populated Raleigh schools.

NC and the triangle area especially is doing better than other parts of the country, so you should certainly have more than one hospital to choose from when coming down here to work.

[truern]

Clayton is a straight shot up I40 to Raleigh where you'll find WakeMed, Rex, and Duke Raleigh hospitals. You won't make anywhere near what you mentioned, BUT the cost of living is much lower!

Clayton is very family-friendly...great small town with small town values. Housing is also very affordable...you can get a lot more house for the buck vs Raleigh, Cary, Apex...