Wilmington, NC?

efthimia519, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 4, 2014

Hi I was wondering how you made out? I am from Boston and considering relocating to Wilmington as well. Any info would be appreciated. How long from applying online to being contacted for interview? Are you experienced or a newer grad? I have 15 years exp and have BSN.

JLChasteen · Jul 4, 2014

Hi there. I was contacted for an interview within a week or so, and I was offered the position about a week later. I have one year of experience and they offered me 21$ an hour which is about 9$ less than I was making in Maine. I ended up ultimately taking a position in charleston SC instead because the pay is better and there are more hospitals that aren't associated with each other so if I ever decide to move on I won't have to go far. In Wilmington all of the hospitals around there are affiliated so they basically can pay whatever they want. I hope this helps.

efthimia519, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 4, 2014

It does, thank you. I must tell you, Charleston is our first choice. We actually just returned on Wednesday from a one week trip. We have visited every year and more than likely will relocate there but wanted to check out Wilmington before we commited 100% BUT each time I reach out for info on Wilmington we get another sign that Charleston is right place. So do you mind me asking you the same questions about Charleston? How long from applying online to being called for the interview? How did you find the whole process of applying from so far away? We particularly like West Ashley and I was really impressed with the size of Bon Secours Hospital. I am also interested in the big St Francis hospital downtown and MUSC. Any info you are willing to share would be super. thanks again.

JLChasteen · Jul 4, 2014

No problem, we went through the same thing and decided on Charleston for many reasons. There's do many more opportunities here in nursing. The pay is still less than up north, but with one year experience at Trident medical center in North Charleston I got 23.50 and I work nights do I got a differential of 3$ an hour. The weekend differential is also 3$. The benefits are pretty good. Musc is definitely the best hospital around but because of that everyone wants to work there so it's hard to get in. From what I've heard the pay is pretty similar across the board though. The good places to live are Summerville, West Ashley, and mt pleasant. You wouldn't want to live in Summerville and work downtown though, that's a long commute. Right now we're just renting a two bed two bath for 779 in North Charleston because it's only 5 miles from Trident. If you have kids in school, consider private schools or think hard about what town you live in because school systems down here don't begin to compare to the public school system up north. Not sure what you pay for heat, but in Maine we were spending over 300 a month to heat our house alone, and here our first electric bill was 180 and that's keeping the apartment at like 67 when it's 95 out, so not bad. It's 25$ to switch your driver license from out of state, and you have to pay taxes on your car before you register it which is based on its value. I have a 2006 and we paid 78$. Then it's like 40 to register it. Not as much as I paid up north. Gas right now is about 3.28-3.50 a gallon depending where in town you go. And food prices vary a lot because there's so many places to go. It's pretty easy to find a place to live though! Oh and Trident called me like three days after I applied, and offered me the job about a week after my interview. They get a lot of people from away. Let me know if I can answer anything else for you! Charleston is a great place.

efthimia519, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 5, 2014

Thank you so much for the info. I am a little nervous about the whole application process from this distance. I certainly can't fly down for one interview come home and then fly down a week later for another one. I will be coming done alone first as I have to get a job and get through orientation before the kids come down. I have heard great things about St Andrews math and Science an Oak Grove schools in West Ashley, and Blessed Sacrament and Christ our King are options for us too. My husband will be the last to come down. We have to sell our house here too...almost overwhelming BUT exciting. Thanks again for your help!!