Want to leave boston for a warmer climate need your input!

wish_me_luck, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2013

I only know about TN. TN does not have a state tax, but the tax on items is 9.5%. Do not know about west TN, but northeast TN has Wellmont and Mountain States. Pay rate for new grads is $18 base and the pay goes up based on critical care areas, nights/weekends, and experience. It sounds low, but the cost of living is relatively low. Nurse ratio on a med surg floor is about 1 nurse to 5-7 patients. ICU is about 2-3 patients and primary nursing (total care). Med surg is team nursing...you get a nurse and CNA. Nurse/nurse and nurse/MD dynamics depends on the floor and co workers, specifically.

I would wait a year on CRNA or NP, unless you have 3 or more years experience because there are a lot of nursing schools in NE TN, including for NP and CRNA.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2013

I know about NC, and that's about it. I worked at a hospital in the Piedmont Triad area as a CNA and I loved it - the hospital, not the job. The hospital had a very strict no lateral violence policy that affected all disciplines. They absolutely did not tolerate bullying at any level. There was a lot of respect between MDs and nursing staff, especially in the ICU where I did my preceptorship for school. Half of the time the CC MDs would be sitting and chatting with the nurses and showing baby pictures. The MDs would even talk and treat me with respect as a CNA. There are also a lot of good nursing schools in NC, so it's a fantastic place to be if you want to continue your education. I plan on getting my CRNA in NC; there are six programs there, some of which are very highly ranked. I have no idea what the outlook would be for NPs/CRNAs in the area, though, but I imagine it may be tough with so many schools pumping out so many grads. I've heard the Raleigh area is also a fantastic place to be a nurse - the UNC and Duke systems supposedly treat their employees very well. I worked at Moses Cone in Greensboro so I can vouch for that system - but I would not recommend applying for anything in the Novant system or at Baptist hospital in Winston-Salem. I have heard a lot of horror stories about hiring freezes and layoffs with both.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jun 19, 2013

Tx has no state income tax. Cost of living overall is reported to be less than most other states. Experienced nurses - especially those with clinical certification - have plenty of job opportunities, even in the larger cities.

I strongly advise you to make some visits first. There are a lot of factors that will be dramatically different than your current environment. Geographically, Tx ranges from forest to desert, high plains to Gulf Coast & everything in between. We're not big on mass transit, so a reliable, air conditioned car is essential. We may be more diverse than you're used to - particularly Houston, which the 2010 census revealed to be the most diverse major city in the US. Weather may be a factor for you. Some areas of the state are tropical, complete with triple digit summers with very high humidity so be prepared for some shockingly high air conditioning bills in the summer.... the good news? You can ditch the heavy winter wardrobe & snow tires - LOL

Our political landscape is dreadful...mainly useful as an endless source of jokes. Luckily, our state legislature only meets for 6 months every other year, so they can't do too much damage. Economically, we're strong and the population continues to expand. Houston, and some other areas, completely avoided most of the recent recession.

No one knows what is going to happen as a result of Health Care Reform, but since we are not known for generous social benefits (snark) and Governor Goodhair has already decided to secede from any national initiative that includes support for Women's health - the next few years should prove "interesting".