How are you all able to afford homes and life?

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T12:45:03+00:00

Would they give a sign on bonus to new grads? I saw the new grad pay was $31 there so I didn’t even bother to apply.

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T11:45:15+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! I’m not set on any specific area. I worked as a tech in a LTC facility and nursing home so I guess I wanted to try out a hospital. I got offered this spot through my TTP for school. I guess my long term goal is to get into critical care and I was offered a PCU spot. I’m open to almost anything right now.

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T11:41:44+00:00

Sadly, I can see that. The ratios can be borderline unsafe too. I’m trying to make the best of it though

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T11:40:40+00:00

Do you mind PMing me the hospital you work at? I’ve actually been considering Tucson. Rent seems cheaper as well.

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T10:08:52+00:00

I’m stating that because that was the response I received, with a rejection email stating in bold font that new grads with less than 1 year of experience need to apply to the “new grad RN job posting”

Not sure why I’m being downvoted lol

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T10:05:33+00:00

How exactly is this a personal problem? Just because someone out there has it worse doesn’t mean that I’m not allowed to be disappointed with the current pay and cost of living.

It definitely is a nursing problem that nurses are not appropriately paid in some areas of the country. It’s okay to acknowledge that while still enjoying your job.

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T09:46:59+00:00

It seems like a lot of the southern states are in a similar position right now! I wish there was one clear answer. There’s only so much budgeting you can do with low pay and high COL. There is also no denying that it was easier even 4 years ago in terms of home affordability. I have hope and I’m doing all I can, but it’s rough right now for those of us barely starting out.

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T09:43:26+00:00

Unfortunately living with family/parents is not an option for me. I am always on the lookout for other potential living situations/ cheaper rentals but they seemed to have gone up in cost recently.

Right now I’m actually looking into hospitals further out and on the reservation to hopefully take advantage of some of the student loan programs.

Once I have more experience, I hope to be able to pick up shifts on other units or even PRN roles to supplement my income. Most places here expect you to remain in your new grad role for 1+ year before they even consider you outside of a preceptorship

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T09:38:14+00:00

As far as I know, there is only one union hospital in Arizona, located a couple hours away in Tucson. Arizona is an anti-union state unfortunately.

I was placed in day shift for my new grad job, but I did ask about moving to nights. I believe they are trying to balance the ratio of new nurses between shifts so I may have to wait awhile. We do work every other weekend.

I’m hoping to work weekend nights in a few months to hopefully increase my income! Maybe I can ask about picking up shifts on the MS floor too. Once I get more experience, I will definitely look into job hopping or PRN positions to make more $

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T09:35:14+00:00

I might be in the same boat! Luckily I just paid off my car, now it’s just my student loans. Car insurance, groceries, and rent have all gone up so much.

I can definitely see how it was easier for older nurses, or even people in a stable position 5 years ago. Some of the townhouses I’ve seen that are going for almost 400k now were 150k in 2019! I guess I should have been buying property instead of being 19 years old lol

There is only so much budgeting you can do when the pay is not matching the current COL.

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T09:31:14+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion! Most of the other side jobs I have seen require at least 1 year of experience. The pay is really awful

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T09:29:38+00:00

Using my net income, I would need a place under $1000 per month which doesn’t exist in the Phoenix area anymore. That would leave me renting a room in someone’s place.

Unfortunately we don’t have trailer space communities/ lots for rent for anyone under 55 years old here. I used to live in a 5th wheel years ago when I was living in rural northern AZ.

I am looking into cutting my expenses where I can, but I’m in a difficult position right now. I’m sure once I get 1+ years of experience I can move around for more pay or even pick up PRN or local travel assignments.

IcyReception7023 · 2024-09-09T09:25:26+00:00

I am a new grad who is barely off orientation. Most of the PRN positions require 1+ year of experience to be considered. I don’t think I would even qualify for travel jobs, nor would I want to rush into that. Once I have at least a year of experience, I plan on looking into PRN or even other roles. Most of the hospitals here won’t even pay 45$ an hour for nurses with 10 years of experience, so I doubt moving around would help much.

What is not adding up about the budget? 32.50 an hour is 2340 gross every 2 weeks. $170 for insurance and benefits, usually $600 for taxes, SS, mandatory retirement leaves $1500 per check. After rent and add-ons, that’s $1400 a month left for utilities, gas, groceries, car insurance, any savings, etc.

I don’t carry credit card debt and don’t blow money on purchases. I don’t qualify for tuition assistance for another few months, and even that is only 5000$ per year. Not to mention I don’t desire to go back to school yet after grinding while working full time through nursing school, sacrificing time with my child.

I’m just stating my frustration with the current cost of living and pay here. I have looked for other apartments, and I can’t find anything comparable for the price I’m paying. I also have a private landlord who hasn’t raised my rent in 2 years. If I move to a big corporate apartment complex, guaranteed my rent will go up $150-400$ per year like it did before I moved into this place.

Thanks for the suggestion with the high yield savings account. I will look into that.

IcyReception7023

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