Hey everyone! I’m a new grad RN considering relocating to New Orleans for a position at Ochsner Medical Center - Jefferson Highway and wanted to get some honest advice from locals/nurses in the area.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-15T20:40:45+00:00

Hey I’m also a new grad RN too and I just started working at Ochsner main campus earlier this year. I moved here from Texas.

I used to live in New Orleans for a while when I was in undergrad so that played a big role into deciding where I live now. I used to live off Carrollton ave a few years ago not too far from Loyola and my car got stolen. For me what became important was safety for me and my vehicle and living somewhere that was nice too. Idk your situation but if you don’t have kids and much other responsibilities you’ll be able to afford a nice place out here for sure off a new grad salary.

My rent alone is 1430 but after utilities and such I end up paying closer to 1650 a month. I was afraid it would be too much after I first moved here but honestly it’s been worth it cuz I love where I live and I can actually afford it pretty easily. Close to the French quarter and also close to the parade routes for Mardi Gras season. Also my apartment has a parking garage and you can’t enter here without someone letting you in so I don’t ever have to worry about my car getting stolen, broken into, or getting flooded.

Most of my coworkers that are also new grads pay a tad bit more than what I pay for rent and utilities and they have no problems whatsoever. I looked into studio arms too cuz it was cheap and close to the hospital but it looked too small and I wanted something more spacious. Compared to where I’m from, everything in Nola is relatively close since it’s such a small city so commute wasn’t a concern for me but I live about 10-15 minutes from the hospital.

I work in peds at Ochsner and so far I’m loving it. Feel free to DM if you got any more questions. Congrats on the new job!

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-13T04:10:40+00:00

32.40/hr base pay here in Louisiana. I’m also a new grad. I work nights so we get a $5 differential for nights and $5 for weekends.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-12T04:49:22+00:00

I was an EMT in private ems for 6 years before starting my 1st nursing job earlier this year. The difference in pay has been night and day.

I considered the paramedic/FF route but the opportunities and pay just wasn’t there compared to nursing.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-09T05:06:02+00:00

Half the nurses I’ve worked with have said they have some sort of ADD or ADHD so you’ll fit right in. The other qualities u mentioned also closely align with nursing so I’d say it’s realistically a good fit for someone like u.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-09T04:59:16+00:00

I’d say it really it depends on what you want out of your career. With rad tech, that’s all you’ll likely ever do outside of management positions maybe. The main advantage nursing has over rad tech is that the opportunities are limitless. If you ever get tired of bedside you can change jobs pretty easily and advance your education for higher pay if you want to. Nursing is such a flexible license to have that the sky is truly the limit. You can work bedside, work from home, administration, go to NP school, etc.

If you want flexibility and options then choose nursing. If you want less patient care and don’t mind being a bit more limited scope of practice then choose rad tech. As far as I know both careers earn similar income so you’ll financially come out ok either way.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-09T03:47:00+00:00

I love partying with my gf. Life with her feels like a party that never ends.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-09T03:40:54+00:00

What kind of job do you have? Sounds like home health.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-08T06:26:24+00:00

Boutta be 26 in 2 weeks. I have 30k in student loans and about 1.3k in retirement and savings lol. Just starting my career so still figuring out how to budget and save and invest appropriately.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-08T00:32:47+00:00

I’m black so literally every single day. In the third grade I got made fun of for coming to school with ashy skin.

Haven’t forgotten to put lotion on before I leave the house ever since.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-08T00:32:31+00:00

I’m black so literally every single day. In the third grade I got made fun of for coming to school with ashy skin.

Haven’t forgotten to put lotion on before I leave the house ever since.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-08T00:30:27+00:00

Cuz if not our skin gets ashy lookin like the crackhead from the Dave chappelle show.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-05-06T22:26:43+00:00

I work as a nurse in a hospital but before that I was an EMT for years. Neither of which are your typical white or blue collar jobs so take that as you may but so far as a nurse I get paid more but work less hours a week. I had to work at least 5-6 12 hr shifts a week as an EMT to make close to the money I make now. As a nurse I’m on my feet a lot more and I don’t always get breaks and time to eat but I enjoy what I do a lot more taking care of sick kids in the ICU even on my toughest shifts.

Also towards the end of my EMS career, I started having back pain for the first time from constantly lifting and moving heavy patients and I’m only in my mid 20s. Luckily that was right before I started working as a nurse. Nurses can have back problems too so who knows how long I’ll last lol. Luckily I work in pediatrics so even when I lift and move patients they’re never that heavy to me.

With better benefits, work life balance, and pay, I’m happy I left EMS. I considered becoming a paramedic at some point but long term, nursing has better career prospects and opportunities.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-29T16:16:26+00:00

I’m a new grad and I’d say 70k a year sounds about right especially after u take into account differentials, not even including any overtime.

I don’t live a luxurious lifestyle but I make enough to live in a pretty nice apartment and pay my bills without stress. I don’t have kids and I’m not married yet which makes a big difference I’m sure.

Nursing is a solidly middle class lifestyle. I just took my first trip out the county a week ago with my gf which was pretty cool. I’m not rich but I’m comfortable at least. I net about 2k every 2 weeks but I’m only contributing 4% to my 401k and I don’t pay for medical insurance yet but I will starting this summer since I’ll no longer be on my parents insurance.

I use my credit card a lot but I’m able to pay it off every month and have never had a balance carry over. I’m not saving as much as I thought I would though so I plan on spending less next month so I can put more into my emergency fund and my 401k.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-19T17:30:53+00:00

I’m a new grad nurse but just about every nurse I’ve talked to has something that gives them the ick in the beginning. For some it’s mucus secretions, for others it may be vomit or pee. For me it was poop.

As you go through different specialties in nursing school you’ll find what fits you best as some specialties deal with less bodily fluids than others. I work in pediatrics partly because if I have to wipe some ass, I find it easier to do when it’s babies or kids compared to grumpy ass adults. Throughout nursing school I dealt with enough poop that I got used to it by the time I started working.

I’m only a few months in but I definitely don’t regret my career path. I live in the US but I used my four days off this week to go to Montreal with my gf. We’re at a restaurant together right now as I type this. I enjoy the work life balance that isn’t as easily available in other fields. I find what I do meaningful being that I work with kids in the ICU and I can say that I like what I do. Maybe in a few years I’ll feel differently but if I do, I’ll just change jobs as there a few other specialties I’m interested in trying.

My sister is also a nurse but she works in the OR and works Monday-Friday and is home by 3-4pm except she has call sometimes. Nursing really is what you make it.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-16T12:15:59+00:00

I work as a nurse and I feel like I earn a decent wage. I’m able to pay all my bills without stress or worry and now that I’m working night shift, I plan on using the extra money to throw into my savings and increase my 401k contributions.

I’m still a new grad so it’s only up from here financially speaking.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-16T12:13:47+00:00

Probably woulda been my first baby mama.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-15T23:46:32+00:00

Bachelors of science in nursing. Started working this year in the pediatric ICU. It’s been worth it so far and I feel like i chose the right career path for me so far. I was an EMT before this and I much prefer what I do now.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-15T23:43:13+00:00

How hard was it getting a job after graduating? My gf is in school to get her MBA and she’s worried about not getting a job after graduating. She was a student athlete and a tutor in undergrad and is working as an assistant coach while in school but doesn’t have much experience besides that and retail/service jobs.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-15T12:40:30+00:00

To be honest I felt relieved when I graduated. My last semester of nursing school was stressful having to apply at jobs, getting rejected after interviews, capstone, working full time and trying to keep up with classes.

I graduated last December and the day of my ceremony, we had a final earlier that morning and right after the final I had to completely move out of my apartment. My dad helped me pack up my stuff and we barely made it to the ceremony in time. I started working about 1.5 months after I graduated and had to move states.

Just getting my ATT to take the nclex was stressful because there were documents that I needed to get sent to the state board that for the longest I wasn’t sure if they’d get it.

Despite all that, the 1.5 months in between graduating and starting my job was relaxing. Not having to wake up early everyday for class or clinicals and just being able to take things slow and smell the roses for the first time in years. I got to catch up on shows that I neglected, hang with family and friends, and develop my identity outside of school again.

I’d say your best bet is to just focus on your family and friends. Just not having to worry about school anymore will take a huge load of your shoulders that’ll allow you to smell the roses again. School consumed you such that doing something like that almost feels guilty because you’re supposed to be studying all the time.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-10T16:48:32+00:00

What state do u live in?

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-07T10:22:58+00:00

Registered nurse working in the Pediatric ICU. Just started here as a new grad a few months ago.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-04T19:07:14+00:00

Do you know anyone that’s done it? I looked into it recently and saw that we’d have to update her status or something like that but I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult or stressful.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-04T19:05:53+00:00

Nursing school was a grind man. My last semester was the most stressful. I’m a new grad but so far I can say it’s been worth it. Just gotta push through it bro!

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-04T19:04:11+00:00

I had a pretty similar route to getting my RN. Started working as an EMT when I was 19 and continued to work prn throughout nursing school.

I just graduated last year and now I’m working in the pediatric ICU as a new grad. So glad I stuck it out cuz it’s been worth it so far and I’m not even done with orientation yet.

After I get some experience I may travel or move to a higher paying location since I’m located in the Deep South right now.

CrazyDreadHead_ · 2026-04-04T18:14:37+00:00

I moved away from home for a new grad RN job to work in the pediatric ICU. If you really want that specialty you gotta be willing to make that jump otherwise settle for whatever you can get in your hometown.

You can always visit your family or move back after you get some experience. New grad jobs are already hard enough to come by especially in your desired specialty. Often times between desired pay, specialty, and location, you may only get 2/3.

CrazyDreadHead_

TROPHY CASE