[snag]

Dear everyone,

I live in Fairbanks and have been flying in the military for 22 years...the last 16 up here. I am now a brand new licensed BSN/RN just having graduated from the University of Rochester's Accelerated Nursing Program. I am going to see about working up here in AK first...but, if they don't offer me the right kind of job opportunities, then I will once again leave my home intact up here in AK (my wife has her own career up her) and I will get on a plane and work where I think my needs will be met. I am too old to pay my dues for years slugging it out on some floor where I don't really want to work in the first place. It's a sellers market out there and I am going to start out in the best place for me. If that means getting a plane ticket and going to Outer Elbonia, so be it. My home will still be here when I return. Good luck to all!

[mandrews]

Originally Posted by kat911

Contact indian health service and see what they have to offer, that's how I got my job up there. I spent 2 years in Bethel working for the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital. Worked hard and played hard. Had a blast. Most single's don't last but about 2 years in the bush. Families tend to last longer. The kids usually love it. There are lots of place to work. Check them out throughly and be sure you will be able to find a place to live that you can afford. In some areas there may not be city water hook up and you may have to have water delivery and septic pumping every week or two. It's a very different way to live in some areas. Fairbanks and Anchorage are like living in most places, I loved Anchorage, a great town. Good Luck with your hunt.

My mom is a travel nurse and she is in Bethel now! She is coming home soon for about 9 days.

[Linds]

Hello: I just have a few questions and was hoping someone out there could answer them. I am in my second year of college in Anchorage and I am pusing my nuring degree. Iam going to Central Texas College and I was wondering what degree plan I should ask for(like applied science) ? Also, can someone explain the pre reqs to me my college has not helped with that! THANKS

[lmz]

There are only one or two places where your specialty will matter. That would be in Anchorage and probably Wasilla. I'm not sure about Fairbanks, but I think it is a small hospital. All the other places you could work will entail multiple pt types and acuities. One caveat, having lived here for 13 years and seen many people move to Alaska to work only to turn around and leave. It is very dark all winter, unless you stay down in Juneau, where it is not so dark all the time. It is often very cold. Because I have seen MANY people come here for a job only to find they can't handle winter, which is very long, I would suggest you try a travel nursing stint in winter. If you like that, you'll do okay here. While it is a lovely place all the time, the darkness can be very difficult. Summer time is a blast here. We all run ourselves ragged trying to fit in a lot before winter comes. Regardless of the time of year, the people are all pretty darned nice. Good luck.

[Amandamarie]

Originally Posted by Merideth

Does anyone have any info about working in Alaska? I am especially interested in critical care units both adult and peds. Thanks a lot!

Merideth

I worked in Nicu, at providence, very swanky, progressive unit. They will pay you to come. Very tightly regimented, but excelent care given to infants and familys. I think they give a 2500.00 starting bonus in anchorage and pay for your stuff to be delivered. Nice people, great equipment. Picu, I don't know so much about. If you are serious call Mary Sterling at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, in HR, she is wonderful, and a very nice person to boot! Tell her Linda says Hi!

[flrlpn]

My Wife & I something we thought deeply about Alaska sounds great right?
Would like to find someone who has the 411.
Contact me please!!!


Thanks

[katrinanovakova]

Hello...
I am due to graduate w/ my BSN this December. I have initiated contact with a recruiter and she related three rural locations accepting applications from new grads - Bethel, Nome and Kotzebue. I briefly lived on the Kenai Pen. and fished throughout southeast, but have little knowledge of the areas listed. I was curious how long ago you were in Bethel, what the area was like. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks

[kat911]

I lived in Behtel for two years. I worked in the ER and eventually became the manager of the inpatient units, med/surg and peds. If you are single the average length of stay in a bush area is two years. Families usually stay longer. You need to find out about housing. They were preparing to build a new apt. complex across the street and were looking at builing other housing at a remote site called the BIA site when I left about 10 years ago. They should have subsidized housing available, if not then be sure you have something before you go and you know what all your costs will be. Housing is extremely expensive as are utilities. I'm sure a lot has changed up there in the 10 years since I left, so have long conversations with the recruiter or personnel manager there. They used to send out a package of information that was very helpful. I still have the video they sent me. You will work very hard. You can play very hard as well. You can make great friends and memories that will last forever. They were very good at trying to make a good fit for all concerned. If you can't make your own fun and keep yourself busy then the bush is problably not a good place to go. However if you enjoy outdoor activities, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling etc you will love it. Check out the newpaper, the Tundra Drums for more information about the city. Email me if you have specific questions.

[qbingirl]

hello,

i am seriously considering moving to Anchorage in Jan and have so many questions. I posted a thread to get so me answers but no-one seems to reply. If any of you have any information for me or would like to answer some questions...i would greatly appreciate it.

thank you...qbingirl

[Dachlady2]

Homer is great but not a lot of job openings there, Sitka Island is nice but you have to fly to Anchorage to leave to lower 48 and there is a new Hospital in the Valley NE of Anchorage about 65 miles.............supposed to be nice and much cheaper to live than ANchorage................hope that helps