Any RN's on the board? (Knoxville: salaries, living, cost of living)

[dragonflytj]

I'm having a hard time determining what salaries are for RN's here in Knoxville. I have 17 years experience in ICU and ER. The "main" hospital will only give out the max "7 year" rate of 23.40. This seems extremely low. I know the cost of living here is low, but can I expect a higher pay rate? This would be a HUGE pay drop for me. I'm starting to wonder if relocation is worth it.

What can I expect for 17 years experience? What is the top pay rate? Asheville, NC hospital lists their max rate at 33.75. Is this comparable?

The hospital recruiter was kind of a bit off-putting..."We take care of our own here, so don't expect to make higher than anyone else" Like wow...is that the attitide I can expect? I thought people here were open and friendly!?!

Thanks for the input!

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by dragonflytj

The hospital recruiter was kind of a bit off-putting..."We take care of our own here, so don't expect to make higher than anyone else" Like wow...is that the attitide I can expect? I thought people here were open and friendly!?!

First, a hospital recruiter has a job to do and you dealt with him/her in that capacity, and that has little to do with other people being friendly and open, He/she was one person in a distinct setting and not representative of the general public. Here, like everywhere else, one will find some people they like and others they don't like.

[Kitties of Domination]

Asheville should be comparable to Knoxville.

[Franurse1]

Go to Asheville. Every nurse who works there raves about Mission, the facility. Travelers will take a lower hourly rate just to work there.

In Knoxville, Covenant has a float pool called Elite that pays $38/hour and you go to where they need you. They also have some different incentives that offer a higher hourly rate. Their recruiters were very nice to me but the manager of the float pool is rude and unprofessional to everyone who has discussed their job with me. That was a year ago so they may have put a better person in that position now. Hopefully.

Mercy pays quite a bit more than what you quoted also. They are the nicest people. Everyone I encountered in every department was very nice and professional. I knew that I wanted to work with them. The concern with them is that they have been selling some of their facilities and I am not sure what their staffing needs are going to be.

Most of the hospitals have incentives to work weekend contracts that range from $6 to $9 more per hour added to your base if you agree to work weekends for one year. You can chooose Sat-Mon. or Fri-Sun. Usually you are given one weekend a quarter off which is almost 2 weeks at a time. It has worked well for me.

The nice thing about Knoxville is that they have three health systems so you can always work full-time at one and then per diem at another at a higher rate than a benefited position.

I hear good thigns about UT but haven't worked there. They have just opened a very nice cardiac unit. When I worked at Covenant, a lot of the nurses were leaving to work at UT. The opportunity at UT would be unlimited. They tend to choose PA's over NP's. If you are interested in getting a Master's that might be important but they have tuition reimbursement and so does Mercy.

Hope this helps you make a decision. Good luck in your search.

[dragonflytj]

Thanks so much for the info frannurse, this has helped a lot! Mercy hasn't returned my phone calls yet.....

[Franurse1]

Hey, keep after them. It took a couple of weeks before I heard from them too but once I did, the process went quickly and smoothly. Choose an open position online that you want then find out who the manager of that unit is and call that person. Then they will call HR and get the process moving. Good luck!

[dragonflytj]

What is the other health system? I could only find Mercy and UofT...


Thanks

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by dragonflytj

What is the other health system? I could only find Mercy and UofT...


Thanks

Covenant. My favorite health system in the Knoxville area. Home - Covenant Careers - Covenant Health

[dragonflytj]

Thanks, I will check them out!

[Franurse1]

RTG MEDICAL currently has travel assignments at both UT and Covenant. They pay a much higher hourly rate and pay a generous housing allowance. This gives you the opportunity to experience the facility before making a long term commitment.