[Murray77]

Hi there,

My gf and I are thinking about moving to Northern Cali after we graduate with our BSN's from the University of Maine. Redding caught our eye. Anybody from/working there? Thanks.

[Mimi2RN]

My son has lived there for several years. I've watched the city grow, it's no longer a small town. It's close to the mountains, Mt. Shasta is not far away, also Mt Lassen to the east and Trinity Wilderness to the NW. Also there are lots of lakes if you like fishing and boating. Housing can be expensive, although prices have come down this last year or so.

The city has reasonable shopping and lots of restaurants. There are two main hospitals, Mercy is the biggest, they have a busy ICU, and thriving OB dept with a level III NICU. There is also a surgery center which is called a hospital. I think Mercy pays reasonably well, they used to give sign-on bonuses, but I don't know if that still happens.

The summers are very hot, but air conditioning is wonderful! Winters are wet with occasional snow. There is skiing at Mt. Shasta, and water-skiing is popular in summer at Whiskeytown Lake and Lake Shasta.

Go to Redding.com for info about the city, it's the local newspaper web site.

Redding Airport is just south of town, although frequently people use Sacramento for flights, it's only a 2 1/2 hour drive on I-5.

Hope this helps!

[Murray77]

Thanks for the reply! We are looking for a change of pace but are not necessarily hungry for the big city life. Your reply is most helpful. From what I can gather you believe Mercy is the place to be nursing-wise? If we were stay in Maine even the largest hospital starts new grads at $22/hr. Not that I am all about the money but I have major loans to contend with! We have been researching Redding real estate and from our perspective it looks quite decent.

Is your son a nurse? Do you have any contacts in the city? Is there a need for new grads? Thinking I might just call up the hospitals and see what's what. Thanks again!

[Spidey's mom]

Hi - I am an allnurses friend of Mimi (Hi Mimi)

Unfortunately, a class just graduated from Shasta College and Simpson University (in the same town) and neither hospital is hiring new grads right now. BUT, it wouldn't hurt to look online at their employment page.

Also, Shasta Regional's owner is selling . . . it was just announced. Supposedly not going to effect employees.

There are some free standing surgery centers - the asset to those is no weekends, no holidays, no nights. The pay is great with bene's.

Also, Patient's Hospital is a privately owned hospital.

Redding is a great place to live if you like the outdoors. The winters are mild. The summers are hot . .but it is a dry heat.

Lots to do here too.

I live 70 miles north, up in the mountains.

steph

[Mimi2RN]

Hi Steph!

Wondered where you were!

Lots of new grads.....but it never hurts to talk to people.

Mimi

[Murray77]

Hi Steph,

Thanks for the info. It will probably be very difficult to compete with new grads from the city but I'll contact the hospitals and try to network a bit! Thanks for the heads up!