Working in Ca, living in another state

ddeburger, ADN, BSN · Jul 5, 2017

It may seem like a dream staff position, but it certainly won't be a dream when the cost of living hits you. Trust me, I just moved out of SF and CA altogether because it is too expensive to live there, even with the pay rates being decent.

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Jul 5, 2017

Hi all,
So i've been offered a dream staff position in an ICU at UCSF but my family can't move yet. I am considering flying in for my three shifts and then flying home. Is anyone else doing this currently or previously and do you have any advice?
Thank you

Where do you currently reside? Do you ever see yourself truly relocating to San Fran? Your high pay may not support your household without living in a rough area like richmond or vallejo and that has a nasty commute. What type of ICU is this that is a dream to you?

friendlykeano · Jul 5, 2017

I live in Denver, the plan is to fly in and out. I've seen a few airbnb's but i don't know of any other options as far as only having a place to stay three nights a week.

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Jul 5, 2017

How do you figure you can get these shifts back to back? I don't think this is well thought out at all.

caliotter3 · Jul 5, 2017

Between the fatigue, lost time, and cost involved for the travel, don't see how it would be worth the aggravation.

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Jul 6, 2017

^Exactly I can see if it was PRN. IMO this will only work for a very short amount of time. One has to realize as new staff you do not have seniority with the scheduling.

friendlykeano · Jul 6, 2017

Thank you for your replies, has anyone here ever tried it?

allnurses Guide · Jul 6, 2017

Thank you for your replies, has anyone here ever tried it?

Like others have said, think this through carefully - I know people who do it from Arizona But they do in fact work their shifts back to back then the drive it back and forth. Air fares can get expensive and eat up what ever extra you might be making. If you are truly thing of moving to California which has the highest cost of living other than New Jersey and New York with an increase in sales tax to 10% just this week you would be better off to find a roommate from the hospital where you will be working.

I love California for what it offers beaches, mountains etc... but the whole social progressive Nanny State drives me nuts.

Hppy

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Jul 6, 2017

Thank you for your replies, has anyone here ever tried it?

I don't know anyone full-time. I only know PRN and that is still taking a chance you will be canceled. A full-time nurse at Kaiser North can do it because they have set schedules that do not change. Those set schedules can get them 5-6 days off at a time every other week.

Julius Seizure · Jul 6, 2017

I've only every heard of it with PRN people - they are paid a higher hourly rate and no benefits, and the nurse has more control over what shifts she will be available for. Those nurses then work a full time job back home in Nevada or where ever.

DnCali · Jul 6, 2017

This just sounds very unrealistic. The pay may sound very enticing, but between taxes and insane cost of living, you won't be bringing home what you think. I live in SoCal, but my daughter and a friend lived in SF.....for a super tiny, no amenities studio they paid over $2000.00 a month! Your travel expenses and lodging alone make it not worth it. It is easy to romanticize over living in SF and working a dream job--but seriously it won't be dreamy when you experience the high cost of living first hand. I certainly would not do this!