[chaz longue]

I haven't visited this thread for a while.
Glad to see somebody mentioning the Mortgage Interest Deduction.
Anybody who rents and does his/her taxes might find it interesting to have a pro do it this year, just to ask questions of the tax preparer. The tax preparer may just ask you a question: Why are you renting?

[winnie]

With your backgrounds you should be looking at either Holyoke hospital or Baystate, possibly UCONN - which is about 30 minutes south, slightly higher pay, but it does not have the reputation Baystate has.

The NICU there is the only one of its kind in Western MA, VT and even babies from NH were sent there on a regular basis. They also have a PICU and CCN, so your wife could really have her pick of what she wanted to do.

The ED is a Level 1 and serves a huge area. They actually had the busiest ED east of the Mississippi when I was employed there. It is a challenging hospital to work at, and they are always looking for people with your experience. There are also measured pay raises and more opportunities to get pay raises by going up different levels of experience. In 2002, the top pay for a nurse at Baystate was 36/hr without shift differentials. Usually you work 3 12 hour shifts. Nights will get you a 20% increase in pay, weekends will net you another 20% for a max of an additional 10/hr. People who work in critical areas tend to see their pay jumped up faster as they apply for RN2 and 3 pay brackets. Again, this is 2002-3 info but if should still be pretty accurate.

I think for you career's sake you should strongly consider Western MA. With that salary you could really do well up there and afford a nice house in a nice area. Your wife could probably work part time or even just weekends and you would still be clearing 100K.

[mattpark19]

Thanks Winnie!
You really have changed my direction of thinking, I didn't rewalise there would be such a diffence in pay - I've been taking a look at some of the real esate in and around springfield and what you get for your money is far greater than in Vt. Also reasearching Vt salaries - they vary from $40 - $50,000 pa less than what you say I would get in MA.
The original plan was to move to the US and just myself work until we settle the kids into school - as a NICU nurse, do you think my wife could earn more full time than myself as an acute medical nurse, if this was the case then it would make more sense for my wife to work rather than me initially - I make quite a good house husband!!!!!!!

[MagpiesMagpiesMagpies]

Originally Posted by mattpark19

Thanks Winnie!
You really have changed my direction of thinking, I didn't rewalise there would be such a diffence in pay - I've been taking a look at some of the real esate in and around springfield and what you get for your money is far greater than in Vt. Also reasearching Vt salaries - they vary from $40 - $50,000 pa less than what you say I would get in MA.
The original plan was to move to the US and just myself work until we settle the kids into school - as a NICU nurse, do you think my wife could earn more full time than myself as an acute medical nurse, if this was the case then it would make more sense for my wife to work rather than me initially - I make quite a good house husband!!!!!!!

Hi Matt,

You know, with both you & your wife's experience, have you ever thought of taking jobs with a medical device or clinical informatics vendor? They love to hire RNs & other clinical types in consulting, apps training, sales and product management roles. Since a lot of those jobs are travel jobs, you have great flexibility in living location...and it pays a *lot* more. (I know Prod. Managers with clinical backgrounds make $90K and up) Just a thought.

Some to look at: GE Healthcare (formerly IDX), Epic Systems, Siemens, Picis, Meditech, etc. And this is by no means an exhaustive list.

Magpies

[winnie]

Originally Posted by mattpark19

The original plan was to move to the US and just myself work until we settle the kids into school - as a NICU nurse, do you think my wife could earn more full time than myself as an acute medical nurse, if this was the case then it would make more sense for my wife to work rather than me initially - I make quite a good house husband!!!!!!!

Pay generally goes by years of experience first till you get some time in, then you can apply for some of the higher RN levels (there are 3). Generally, NICU nurses are a little bit sought after than ED people, but it is a close call. I would not hesitate to ask for 30/hr with 7 years of experience. I have a hunch that your wife would be making a little more than you, and some years they even do a sign on bonus for hard to fill positions. I haven't checked in quite awhile.

I would contact HR office at Baystate and get an idea of where their salary tables are at right now. Those are general guidelines for the recruiters - dont feel shy about asking for more $$. See who is going to make more and how many hours of work/which shift and go from there. A lot of the work over here is going to initially be night shift, but after a couple of years you have a good chance of getting a day slot if you want to.

Do a search for Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. Go on the job listings and make sure you know ALL of the jobs that are open. Reason being is that the HR are recruiters and each of them want to try to fill their jobs first. So if there is a NICU job open and you talk to the wrong person over there, they may try to steer you towards one of their jobs. If you don't see what you are looking for, give them a call and ask. Sometimes they do not have all their jobs listed. They always seem to be hiring for the ED and NICU.

The benefits there are quite good, they offer (and underwrite) Health New England, which is a good insurance to have in that area, also BCBS insurance. Also offer dental, vision, good sick and vacation and plenty of opportunity for further education and growth professionally. They are a very efficient and skilled hospital, and really get good reviews from JCAHO (our hospital inspection and commision team)

[winnie]

Originally Posted by MagpiesMagpiesMagpies

Hi Matt,

You know, with both you & your wife's experience, have you ever thought of taking jobs with a medical device or clinical informatics vendor?

The only real issue with that is the traveling. I knew someone who worked for Baxter. He was up and down the East coast constantly away from home. That would leave one parent at home with the young kids - which can get a little lonely if you are new to the area. JMHO.

[MagpiesMagpiesMagpies]

Originally Posted by winnie

The only real issue with that is the traveling. I knew someone who worked for Baxter. He was up and down the East coast constantly away from home. That would leave one parent at home with the young kids - which can get a little lonely if you are new to the area. JMHO.

True, that is the tradeoff. Some people I know are happy with the travel in order to live exactly where they want. Most can pull it off for a few years before they drop out, by that time they've banked up quite a bit of coin.

Just another option.

Magpies

[mattpark19]

Thanks for both your suggestions!
What you are describing is what we call a nurse advisor role over here - true the pay is usually far greater and then there's the added bonus of company car, bonuses etc but I would greatly prefer a 'hand on' position. Also as you mentioned, it can be a lonely life!
I've been on the MA forum and am getting mixed views, some say that the cost of living and property values are not much different than in Vt, if this is the case then Vt will always be my first choice!
By the way at present my wife works just 2 nights per week so that she can look after our daughter, whilst I work full time. I put it to her that if NICU nurses are more sought after and better paid then she could work full time and I would be a house husband.......Went down like a lead ballon!!!!!
I guess the only way to really get a feel is to come over - we have a 3 week fly-drive planned for the autumn (fall) next year and intend to fly into Boston and drive through MA, Vt and NH - mixing pleasure/sightseeing with scouting out the place, so we will know alot more then.

[MagpiesMagpiesMagpies]

Originally Posted by mattpark19

Thanks for both your suggestions!
What you are describing is what we call a nurse advisor role over here - true the pay is usually far greater and then there's the added bonus of company car, bonuses etc but I would greatly prefer a 'hand on' position. Also as you mentioned, it can be a lonely life!
I've been on the MA forum and am getting mixed views, some say that the cost of living and property values are not much different than in Vt, if this is the case then Vt will always be my first choice!
By the way at present my wife works just 2 nights per week so that she can look after our daughter, whilst I work full time. I put it to her that if NICU nurses are more sought after and better paid then she could work full time and I would be a house husband.......Went down like a lead ballon!!!!!
I guess the only way to really get a feel is to come over - we have a 3 week fly-drive planned for the autumn (fall) next year and intend to fly into Boston and drive through MA, Vt and NH - mixing pleasure/sightseeing with scouting out the place, so we will know alot more then.

You're got the right idea. New England is compact enough that you could get a taste of the different areas for comparison. You might even get a chance to set up a few interviews on the way.

Magpies

[winnie]

How far from work would you like to be?

The pay down in MA is substantially higher than VT, I guess you would have to give some further requirements as to house size, rural or urban location and how far you would like to live from work..also give some strong consideration to what your goals are for your career. I personally lived in Western MA for over 3 years, and I found that the cost of living was really reasonable, and I loved the public schools in the "hill towns". We lived comfortably on one full time government salary of 45K/yr and my parttime salary of 20 - 30K/yr (from 2001-2004) and were still able to contribute the maximum allowed to our 401K plans. It is also quite scenic here too, especially when you go north of Northampton towards Greenfield.

If you work as a "pool nurse" you can clear up to $44/hr with some agencies, you have to be efficient and adaptable - the payoff is you usually pick your own assignments and hours you want to work. This country is headed for a nursing shortage crisis, many hospitals throughout the country are desperate for intensive care and ED nurses. I am sure that whatever state you choose you will find employment. Let me know if you want some recommendations of things to do here while you visit.

Baystate and the other big MA hospitals really offers the most for your career in that area of New England. (I am sorry the stay at home dad idea didn't work out )

I would also send in a personal recommendation to your wife, that if you do move to MA, see if Shriner's hospital is hiring. It does bring a little less pay, but it is an absolutely tremendous organization to work for, and is the experience of a lifetime. They have excellent patient care standards, and set very high standards for their nursing staff. I worked there over 3 years, and could point her in the right direction if that is a career she would consider. You can look them up online.

Sorry this is kind of broken up and jumbled - I am herding the two toddlers and typing at the same time LOL!