Moving to Arizona

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2003

I'm originally from AZ. I left there in 2000. My grandmother has been in Thunderbird Samaritan Hospital several times. As an RN, I was really impressed by that hospital.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2003

Also, as a new grad RN in 2000, I was offered a starting wage of only $14./hr by Scottsdale Memorial. And... I had 7 years LPN experience and 2 years + CNA experience. I told them, thanks but no thanks.

ASU_Sdvls · Apr 23, 2003

Hellllllo Nurse,

I don't blame you for refusing $14.00/hr. I think that's chicken feed, considering that Scottsdale is probably the second most expensive city to live in the metro Phoenix area, topped only by Paradise Valley. Hopefully the hospitals in the Valley of the Sun realize that, even though the weather there is nice, nurses still need to pay their bills.

Going80INA55 · Apr 25, 2003

Andy, was the $4,000 a sign on bonus or for relocating expenses. I have looked on their website and it did not mention anything about relocation or sign on bonuses?

Can you AZ nurses tell us some of the nursing ratios on the floors?

Going80INA55 · Apr 25, 2003

Andy, was the $4,000 a sign on bonus or for relocating expenses. I have looked on their website and it did not mention anything about relocation or sign on bonuses?

Can you AZ nurses tell us some of the nursing ratios on the floors?

ASU_Sdvls · Apr 28, 2003

Going80INA55,

I talked to a nurse recruiter at Thunderbird Samaritan. She indicated that there is a $4,000 relocation bonus, which is paid up front and not in increments. She did say that one has to work there for a year. So I guess it is both a relocation and a sign-on bonus for out of state people wanting to move to Arizona.

With regards to ratio in critical care, it is mostly 1:1. However, she did mention that it could get as high as 3:1. I do not know anything regarding other types of units since I only asked about critical care areas.

ASU_Sdvls · Apr 28, 2003

Going80INA55,

I talked to a nurse recruiter at Thunderbird Samaritan. She indicated that there is a $4,000 relocation bonus, which is paid up front and not in increments. She did say that one has to work there for a year. So I guess it is both a relocation and a sign-on bonus for out of state people wanting to move to Arizona.

With regards to ratio in critical care, it is mostly 1:1. However, she did mention that it could get as high as 3:1. I do not know anything regarding other types of units since I only asked about critical care areas.

Desert Rat · Apr 29, 2003

Welcome to AZ. Most people are leaving now though, not coming here. Hope you survive your first summer. Valley Lutheran is closest to AJ, and is Banner facility. Know some nurses who have been there a while. Desert Samaritan is next closest big facility, also Banner. Hubby had ortho surgery last summer and the ortho floor was great. The nurses there liked it and the hospital was trying for magnet status. Ratio on ortho days was 1:4-5 with a tech for each 9 and a clerk. If you want to experience a more rural atmosphere, check out Cobre Valley in Globe--about 45 min. scenic drive. Know lots of nurses that commute to Mesa from Globe and vice versa.

Desert Rat · Apr 29, 2003

Welcome to AZ. Most people are leaving now though, not coming here. Hope you survive your first summer. Valley Lutheran is closest to AJ, and is Banner facility. Know some nurses who have been there a while. Desert Samaritan is next closest big facility, also Banner. Hubby had ortho surgery last summer and the ortho floor was great. The nurses there liked it and the hospital was trying for magnet status. Ratio on ortho days was 1:4-5 with a tech for each 9 and a clerk. If you want to experience a more rural atmosphere, check out Cobre Valley in Globe--about 45 min. scenic drive. Know lots of nurses that commute to Mesa from Globe and vice versa.