Best cold (US) state for nurses?
Hey my nursing homies,
I was just sent an email from my travel company letting me know that they are shutting down operations. So after 7 years of travel, I can either find a new company or throw in the towel.
I have been thinking about leaving travel for a while but the few hospitals I really enjoyed, and would go back to, don't pay their staff enough. So my question to you guys...
What cold state has the best pay to cost of living ratio for nurses?
I am initially from Houston. I hate being hot. I will never go back to the south... unless my mother asked me to. Through traveling, I discovered that I love being cold and I specifically love long "terrible" winters. Give me months of snow and I am happy as a clam. One of my favorite winters was in Milwaukee and my other favorite winter was in Augusta, Maine (where all the staff nurses had two jobs and I'm just not doing that).
I have four medium sized dogs.
I like being cold.
I like the snow.
I prefer small to midsize cities. Honestly, as long as the city is big enough to support a 24 hour animal hospital, it's the right size.
My favorite thing about nursing is working my 3 shifts and then going home. I don't want to live somewhere where I need to pick up overtime to support myself.
Could you guys suggest a nice *cold* city where you feel your paycheck goes pretty far? And please don't suggest California. I was there for a year and while the checks were amazing the cost of living was insane. It's also not cold enough. I want a reprehensible level of freezing. If it doesn't hurt to breathe for at least 3 months a year, it's too hot.