LPN (from fl) moving to Fairbanks AK Feb 5th...(currently in RN school/excelsior)

757tam4life · Jan 30, 2010

hi guys...tried posting before, and no one answered;( oh well i will try again...Iam a male LPN, with 4 years med surge/ltc experience, as well as ACLS certified...iam about 8 months away from finishing RN school through excelsior...my question is, if i want to work part time (25-35) hours per work in the Fairbanks/eielson/north pole area...what are my job prospects???i know once i get my RN and pass NCLEX-RN my prospects will be better,,,just need a little advice on how easy it is for an LPN to find employment in the area we are moving (my wife is still ACtive Duty AF) any and all advice on Alaska...lpn job prospects or whatever will be welcomed...ps ive already applied for my endorsement, should be receiving my temp/permanent license for Alaska in the next week...We will be arriving in Alaska on feb 17th 2010,,thanks a bunch
Steve Roschel, LPN, ACLS

Hi Steve, I moved to Fairbanks in 2008. My husband is active duty Army stationed at Wainwright. In the two years I have been here I have not been able to find an LPN position. Bassett Army Hospital which is on Ft.WW list positions, but i have been submiiting resumes through CPOL, and my resume always gets kicked back stating no qualifying experince, what a slap in the face I have 6 years of Med/Surg experience and 2 years LTC. I quickly applied for my Alaska License as soon as arriving here, hoping to find a job. the license through endorsement for LPN is 324.00 plus 30.00 to have your license verified through Nyrsis if your state allows verification online through that site. I also paid 20.00 for a fingerprint card and 6.00 for postage for the app. I wish i would have saved my money!! But I havent given up hope, I still check the newspaper and check for openings at the Denali Center, which is one of the two nursing homes in the area. Can you believe not one single opening in two years. Denali center has only 90 beds and Bassett Army hospital has only 55 beds. I guess lpns are just not in demand. I was already in my second semester of an RN program, before my husband recieved orders to come here. I was devastated. I dont know what available near the Air Force, I believe the troops commute to Bassett. Much success to you. I hope you get this message and try not to get discouraged. If you actively use this forum, I will be happy to inform you of any recent openings and please do the same for me. Have a safe trip and welcome to Alaska!!! Bring your heavy coat, you'll need it..LOL..take care

757tam4life · Jan 30, 2010

I forgot to mention the Pioneer Home which is a state job. Its a nursing home in this area they are always posting ads for oncall temp. lpns.. Great pay starting wage 26.01 for entry level, and they pay more based on experience. I actually got called from them when I first got here, but couldnt take the position due to not having the alaska license yet..It was only an as needed basis, but i was willing to take it. I met a girl who's mother is employed there (RN) and she said you would rarely get a call for work except maybe on a holiday and then its few and far in between. not even enough work to list on an application for another states nursing license after leaving here. Another thing there are no nursing agencies here for temp. work.. I have just been doing CEU's and crossing my fingers>>>smile.. Fortunately my initial license was in Virginia, which is where we are from. VA is in the nursing compact, which allows me an opportunty to work in other states without the hassle of getting licensed repeatedly.. Pickings are slim here but thank goodness were are leaving next year, and then back to working, whatever you do keep your current active license at all times because it would be more benefical for your next duty station. at least you wont have to go through reinstatement for that license of you dont find work here.. Hope this helps!!

pcolaqtfighter77 · Jan 31, 2010

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