[grasshopper1972]

I am an outpatient pediatric RN looking to move to swan valley next year. anyone know the deal with jobs out there? Are there some good nursing jobs to find in Idaho Falls area? How is the swan valley area? Nice place to live? Looking for someplace quiet to live, with lots of wildlife. Im sure someone out there can help! Thanks!

[Woogy]

I bet you are as frustrated as me! It sure doesn't seem like there are a lot of Idaho nurses that post here. I can only assume from the lack of involvement that Idaho nurses are happy and don't need to find others to talk to about the "politics" of Idaho nursing.
Either way...
I'm going!!!!!!!!
Twin Falls is a little "small" for my blood (I live in Vegas). I don't want the hustle bustle anymore, but I think if I moved there, I would go into shock! hehehe.
Boise is so beautiful, with decent housing prices. Vegas (Clark County School District) has 300,000 students this year. Boise has 400,000 RESIDENTS! I think Vegas population is a few hundred thousand more than the entire state of Idaho. I want to slow down and enjoy life, so Boise looks like a perfect fit. Good luck to you, and sorry this reply wasnt what you were looking for (information on your location). Best thing to remember is nothings permanent. If you don't like it, you can always move again.
Best Wishes!!!
Lisa

[mombabynurse]

Originally Posted by grasshopper1972

I am an outpatient pediatric RN looking to move to swan valley next year. anyone know the deal with jobs out there? Are there some good nursing jobs to find in Idaho Falls area? How is the swan valley area? Nice place to live? Looking for someplace quiet to live, with lots of wildlife. Im sure someone out there can help! Thanks!

Swan Valley is a beautiful place! I think your choices for work might be between Idaho Falls and Jackson, Wyoming. I am not sure on the mileage, but it seems Swan Valley is in between those two. The winter drive can be ugly, but it depends on the weather. Do you care for a specialized pediatric population or are you pediatric in general? Are you looking for out patient work or are you considering hospital work? I am from Phoenix and moved to Idaho five years ago. I LOVE the outdoors and smaller population. There are trade offs but, I am happy with my choice. I will keep my ears open Good Luck!

[mombabynurse]

I just found this site the other night as I inquired about obtaining my RN-C. I am a RN working in Idaho Falls, Idaho. I am excited about the ability this forum has to offer me and others. I will be spreading the news to my fellow RN's that are from Idaho. I am from Phoenix so I do not have a long history with Idaho. However, I am loving it! Love the outdoors, snow, animals (wild and otherwise), mountains, the friendly people, less traffic (although they don't drive near fast enough for my Phx lead foot!) fresh clean air, etc......! Most of all the nurses I work with, grew up here! I am one of the few transplants. They are great resources regarding the history of the people and town. As far as "politics", we just want to do our job to the best of our ability. The Iaho nurses I work with talk about it, but, it is with each other. They are pretty close that way. They may not even be aware of this forum, so I will do my part and spread the news about this site!
Thanks for this opportunity! Have a great week.

Originally Posted by Woogy

I bet you are as frustrated as me! It sure doesn't seem like there are a lot of Idaho nurses that post here. I can only assume from the lack of involvement that Idaho nurses are happy and don't need to find others to talk to about the "politics" of Idaho nursing.
Either way...
I'm going!!!!!!!!
Twin Falls is a little "small" for my blood (I live in Vegas). I don't want the hustle bustle anymore, but I think if I moved there, I would go into shock! hehehe.
Boise is so beautiful, with decent housing prices. Vegas (Clark County School District) has 300,000 students this year. Boise has 400,000 RESIDENTS! I think Vegas population is a few hundred thousand more than the entire state of Idaho. I want to slow down and enjoy life, so Boise looks like a perfect fit. Good luck to you, and sorry this reply wasnt what you were looking for (information on your location). Best thing to remember is nothings permanent. If you don't like it, you can always move again.
Best Wishes!!!
Lisa

[grasshopper1972]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for your input, and yes, it does help! We are heading out to Idaho next spring for a visit. Cant seem to make it out there earlier although I am anxious to get things going. Im glad you have found such a wonderful place to live. Im from Boston and am certainly looking forward to a slower pace!

Thanks again,
Leah

Originally Posted by Woogy

I bet you are as frustrated as me! It sure doesn't seem like there are a lot of Idaho nurses that post here. I can only assume from the lack of involvement that Idaho nurses are happy and don't need to find others to talk to about the "politics" of Idaho nursing.
Either way...
I'm going!!!!!!!!
Twin Falls is a little "small" for my blood (I live in Vegas). I don't want the hustle bustle anymore, but I think if I moved there, I would go into shock! hehehe.
Boise is so beautiful, with decent housing prices. Vegas (Clark County School District) has 300,000 students this year. Boise has 400,000 RESIDENTS! I think Vegas population is a few hundred thousand more than the entire state of Idaho. I want to slow down and enjoy life, so Boise looks like a perfect fit. Good luck to you, and sorry this reply wasnt what you were looking for (information on your location). Best thing to remember is nothings permanent. If you don't like it, you can always move again.
Best Wishes!!!
Lisa

[grasshopper1972]

Im so happy to hear that swan valley is so beautuiful! We wont get a chance to get out there to visit until the spring, but am so looking forward to a quieter lifestyle, as Boston seems to be one of the busiest places in the country! I practice general peds, but have done my share of hospital work. I didnt like having to work every other weekend at the hospital, so private practice seemed the way to go and I love having my weekends and holidays free! How spoiled I have gotten! Im hoping there will be some great job opportunities when I get out there. When you moved, did you already have a job set up, or did you just wing it? Im up for the challenge either way!

Thanks again!
Leah

Originally Posted by mombabynurse

Swan Valley is a beautiful place! I think your choices for work might be between Idaho Falls and Jackson, Wyoming. I am not sure on the mileage, but it seems Swan Valley is in between those two. The winter drive can be ugly, but it depends on the weather. Do you care for a specialized pediatric population or are you pediatric in general? Are you looking for out patient work or are you considering hospital work? I am from Phoenix and moved to Idaho five years ago. I LOVE the outdoors and smaller population. There are trade offs but, I am happy with my choice. I will keep my ears open Good Luck!

[juvynurse]

Originally Posted by grasshopper1972

I am an outpatient pediatric RN looking to move to swan valley next year. anyone know the deal with jobs out there? Are there some good nursing jobs to find in Idaho Falls area? How is the swan valley area? Nice place to live? Looking for someplace quiet to live, with lots of wildlife. Im sure someone out there can help! Thanks!

Living in Swan Valley will be culture shock compared to Boston, I'm sure!!
If you like peace and quiet, Swan Valley is the place. I spent most of my childhood there with my grand aunts and uncles, so I have many relatives there. I have a home there that I live in the summer (my husband works for the forest service on the Palisades ranger district and is there all summer) but live elsewhere in the off months. There is a convenience store, a diner, real estate office, post office, and a bar. That's it. When I'm up there, I travel often to Alpine, Wyoming (20 miles from Swan Valley) for groceries, etc.

Idaho Falls is about 45 miles, but winters can be brutal for travelling. I know of many people that work in IF that drive from SV, but at times, it is just impossible to get there. IF has a lot of opportunity for medical employment.

You might keep in mind other places that are near, also. Rexburg has a nice hospital, is an hour away from SV and is smaller than IF. The two pediatricians there are very kind. I've worked with them both.

If you consider the Wyoming side, you'd have to go over the Teton Pass, which is deadly in wintertime and I wouldn't recommend it, unless you are a risk taker. Avalanches happen often. You can get to Jackson by way of Alpine, the drive is gorgeous but the road is narrow and is often under construction.

Driggs is not far from SV, about 30 miles. I know they have a hospital, but not sure about any pediatrics units. Pretty small populations between Driggs and Victor.

I wish you luck. Idaho is gorgeous, all year round!!

[ayndim]

We are living near Phoenix (Surprise) and have put our house on the market. We are looking to move to Idaho Falls. It seems like it is an undiscovered gem with reasonable house prices, good schools and a safe area. And no Phoenix summers . I cannot stand hot weather but love snow and cold. My problem is that I was waiting for entrance into the MCCD nursing program. I cannot seem to find a nursing program near Idaho Falls. I am thinking about trying for deaconess but it seems so expensive. And I already have student loans from doing my BS in another field. No matter we are Idaho dreaming.

Originally Posted by mombabynurse

I just found this site the other night as I inquired about obtaining my RN-C. I am a RN working in Idaho Falls, Idaho. I am excited about the ability this forum has to offer me and others. I will be spreading the news to my fellow RN's that are from Idaho. I am from Phoenix so I do not have a long history with Idaho. However, I am loving it! Love the outdoors, snow, animals (wild and otherwise), mountains, the friendly people, less traffic (although they don't drive near fast enough for my Phx lead foot!) fresh clean air, etc......! Most of all the nurses I work with, grew up here! I am one of the few transplants. They are great resources regarding the history of the people and town. As far as "politics", we just want to do our job to the best of our ability. The Iaho nurses I work with talk about it, but, it is with each other. They are pretty close that way. They may not even be aware of this forum, so I will do my part and spread the news about this site!
Thanks for this opportunity! Have a great week.

[momof3heathens]

Originally Posted by ayndim

We are living near Phoenix (Surprise) and have put our house on the market. We are looking to move to Idaho Falls. It seems like it is an undiscovered gem with reasonable house prices, good schools and a safe area. And no Phoenix summers . I cannot stand hot weather but love snow and cold. My problem is that I was waiting for entrance into the MCCD nursing program. I cannot seem to find a nursing program near Idaho Falls. I am thinking about trying for deaconess but it seems so expensive. And I already have student loans from doing my BS in another field. No matter we are Idaho dreaming.

I don't know where you have looked, but there is actually quite a pool of nursing programs here. (Idaho Falls area) Right in Idaho Falls, is Eastern Idaho Technical College. (This is where I am currently attending). They offer an LPN program, and were just certified by the ID Dept of Ed to start an RN program next fall. They are just waiting to see what requirements the BON gives them. If you are looking for a program that gives you a realistic chance of getting in without going crazy, this is it. ONce you have all your prereqs done except the last semester, they just plop you in line, according to your application date.

In Rexburg (25 miles) is BYU-I. It is not a public school, so tuition is more...but they offer: an LPN program. A start to finish Associates RN, and a bachelor's. VERY VERY VERY hard to get in.


In Pocatello (45 miles) There is Idaho State University. Through the technical college there, they offer an LPN, and an LPN to RN.
THrough the Department of NUrsing, they offer a BSN. This program is also inordinately difficult to get into. IF you happen to live in Boise, ISU also offers something called a "Fast-track" program, for people who already have a bachelor's in another persuasion. They also offer (in POcatello and Idaho Falls) an RN to Bachelor's and an LPN to bachelors. ISU is also currently the only source that offers a Masters in Idaho. Last I knew, they were offering a Family Nurse Practitioner, a Masters in Nursing Education, and were phasing out their Masters in LEadership...

If you have any other questions about the schools and programs, I can probably help you. I worked in the Department of NUrsing at ISU for several years, so I have kept up on all of the local (and statewide) programs. Feel free to pick my brain....

[ayndim]

Originally Posted by momof3heathens

I don't know where you have looked, but there is actually quite a pool of nursing programs here. (Idaho Falls area) Right in Idaho Falls, is Eastern Idaho Technical College. (This is where I am currently attending). They offer an LPN program, and were just certified by the ID Dept of Ed to start an RN program next fall. They are just waiting to see what requirements the BON gives them. If you are looking for a program that gives you a realistic chance of getting in without going crazy, this is it. ONce you have all your prereqs done except the last semester, they just plop you in line, according to your application date.

...

Thanks for the info. I did see the LPN program but didn't realize they were going to be offering an RN program soon. I have all of the prereqs done, except A&P II, for the college here. I wonder if they are the same?