wages in Modesto for RN's

[duplicitlyduped]

Wage scales in various parts of CA are always a huge topic, but I rarely see information from my neck of the woods, Modesto, CA. I have been an RN for three years in Med-Surg, and there are three major hospitals, DMC, MMC, and Kaiser. I have been told Kaiser is starting EXPERIENCED nurses at roughly $72/hr, new grads at DMC at roughly $43-$45/hr, and new grads at MMC around $43. These are estimates based on employees at these facilities. Currently I work at one of these facilities and I work the night shift. I have been told Kaiser makes $12 NOC diff, and DMC and MMC make $6 diffs. with three years experience I currently make $54 and change/hr. DMC is union, MMC is not. DMC is the county hospital. DMC is a much older facility in need of major upgrades, with small rooms, and some floors seem like a sauna in the summer months. the helipad is on the roof and the diesel fumes can sometimes infiltrate the hospital making it a bit nauseating. However, DMC has some great staff members, and I have a lot of respect for this facility. Tenet just needs to get off their butts and do some major renos. MMC is an older facility too, but not long ago opened up a brand new 7 story tower with very spacious upgraded rooms. It has an old tower that is currently under the process of being renovated. Modesto is one of the best places in the state for wages to COL ratios. As a nurse your wages will go farther here then just about anywhere else in the state. It may not be the exciting bay area or Hollywood beaches of southern cal but Modesto is 2hrs from San Fran, and 3hrs from Tahoe. It's an hr from the hills to the east with lakes, camping, gold panning, fishing, and just a couple hrs from most ski resorts. Yosemite national park is just under 2hrs southeast. It is centrally located from anything fun and exciting, but the COL although high is not nearly as high as the coast of California. With three hospitals to choose from and with those three hospitals competing for Nurses the wages go up steadily. In the past three years I have received a little over 20% in competitive, COL, and performance raises. That is absolutely incredible; I know someday and not too far in the future I could be making upwards of $90/hr or more. When I couple that with my spouse's income (who is also a Nurse), well that just means very good opportunities for retirement, investment, and quality of life. It may not be the exciting bay area, but I live in a 5/3 3,200sqft 1/4 acre home for under $500,000, and it makes up less than a 1/4 of our monthly net pay. That is why Modesto is a great market for Nurses and I hope this information has helped other Nurses not only in California, but those from out of state looking for the best opportunities for their families relocating to California. If you have any questions I would be glad to answer them. Cheers.