Working as CRNP or RN in Pittsburgh (home, look for a job)

[west seattle gal]

We will be relocating to Pittsburgh in a couple of years, and I will be seeking employment as a CRNP (adult certification). I am considering work as a travel RN to Pittsburgh first, in order to obtain housing while looking around for a home purchase. Hopefully someone can answer these questions:

1) What is the typical pay for a CRNP, both starting & w/ experience?
2) What is the typical pay for an RN w/ 10 years experience?
3) Are jobs plentiful for CRNPs, or is the market tight?
4) Where is the best place to look for a job (including suburbs)?
5) I understand that CRNPs need to work under the supervision of a physician in PA. Could anyone describe how this works?
6) Do CRNPs have limited prescription authority in PA?
7) How is job satisfaction?

Any/all comments appreciated.

Thanks!

[groar]

i can't answer most of your questions, but i work in an icu and the starting salary for brand new RNs is around $21. that might give you some idea of the scale. it's probably lower than what you're used to, but cost of living is lower here too.

a friend of mine is a crnp in philadelphia and i can ask him about the the PA laws regulating crnps and get back to you if no one else responds. i believe he can write prescriptions though.

upmc is the major hospital system and in my experience, no one seems to like working for them much.

[west seattle gal]

thanks, groar