Best place in US to be an RN?

I'm still in school and am considering moving after graduation (and getting some work experience). Every place I look, though, either pays slightly more than a babsitter or else the nurses all sound embittered and like they're looking for a different field. Is there any place in the US where a nurse can receive a decent wage relative to the cost of living, while also having a reasonable work environment?
dallas is pretty darn good! Housing is cheap and it is a great and growing place to live.

There was a study done recently that showed Central Texas was the best as far as ratio of salary to cost of living. The post was on allnurses, so maybe you could find it.I live in Temple and work in Waco and find it pretty decent. PM me if you want details!

Quote from joshuahadallas is pretty darn good! Housing is cheap and it is a great and growing place to live.

This would really depend on what specialty you are interested in, how far are you willing to relocate & what matters most- experience vs $$$$.

I agree with Dallas!

Quote from solneeshka or else the nurses all sound embittered and like they're looking for a different field. Is there any place in the US where a nurse can receive a decent wage relative to the cost of living, while also having a reasonable work environment?

I agree with Texas! I loved it when I worked there!

Quote from mom4joshThere was a study done recently that showed Central Texas was the best as far as ratio of salary to cost of living. The post was on allnurses, so maybe you could find it.I live in Temple and work in Waco and find it pretty decent. PM me if you want details!

this is the one question that i wanted to ask and could not word it right. thank you. through the research that i have been doing on the subject i have found that houston is top of the list. i plan i move when i finish school, and we are really looking at texas. we went to san antonio on our honeymoon and i did not want to come home to mississippi. ashley

If you go to texas, just be sure you brush up on your Spanish (especially Houston!). You will be better equipped to communicate with your patients! I have never worked in Texas, but i thought Austin was a really nice city.

California is the only state in the union with legally-mandated rations for acute care hospitals. An RN in California cannot be assigned to more than 5 patients on a typical med/surg floor. While the cost-of-living is sky-high, the pay rates tend to be competitive.

as a brand new RN, i would have to say dallas and the surrounding area, I just received ny 1st paycheck, and I was very happy