Jobs in Hawaii

Dear Cali:

I suggest you look at allnurses.com posts for some cities on the mainland. Look at LA, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix. Start to read what the new grads there are saying about finding a job. You might feel less depressed if you realize it's not you.

Also, read allnurses.com posts for Hawai'i for the last 12 months. Not just the past 3 months. Read what nurses were writing 12 months ago. Read what other new grads have said about trying to find jobs.

If you have your heart set on Hawai'i and won't consider another state... then it sounds like you've made up your mind.

Sounds a lot like when I moved from Minnesota to Arizona about ten years ago. It wasn't easy, especially the first few years. I was single then (recently divorced) and didn't have any family or friends in AZ - no support network to help or that I could rely on. I decided to move anyway because of the climate, and to get a fresh start. I'm remarried now, so no matter where we would move my spouse and I would at least have each other if we moved somewhere where we didn't know anyone. One of the biggest things was moving to a place that was so far away from any relatives or family, so I'm familiar with that too. I've quietly thought now and then about maybe moving to Hawai'i someday (haven't mentioned it to anyone except on here) after I am out of nursing school and maybe after I've had like at least five years or so of solid experience under my belt. But that won't be for quite a while yet.... Arizona is a great place to live and work too for many reasons. The only places I wouldn't want to move to are the Snowbelt states or the South. Most other places I think I could adapt to OK, including Hawai'i.

LOL I thought I was the only one who did this (pick through the milk at Costco - I haven't actually climbed into the fridge yet). I shop at the Costco here in Arizona near where I live for the basics like milk, eggs, bread, butter, etc. and will occasionally get some meat or fish if it looks like a bargain. The milk is about half price of other places like WalMart, Safeway, etc. I wasn't aware that they have Costcos in Hawai'i..... You are correct about the local items at Costco - many of the food items they sell here are produced locally here in AZ, including things like milk and honey.

Dear PC Student 2009: What block are you in? Who are your instructors for lecture? For clinicals? -- Lisa ;-)

Actually won't be starting Block 1 until 2010 - I am now in CNA classes while I am waiting for cohort placement. The wait times here are incredible - everyone wants to go to nursing school now and there's a shortage of nursing instructors....... I hear that it's this way all over though, unless you want to pay big $$$$$ for a private school.

this goes to the original post here, yes hospitals are out to make $. They complain that they are short handed, or scew the nurses they have now to have 6-7-8-9 patients each.over worked and then dont hire help for their help they have. I see several places hiring new grads. I also see, folks whinning because where they are there are no jobs. Sometimes you may need to move somehwere else. I see around here folks not wanting to drive 30-40 miles one way and never get a nurse job. or they wanna stay in a one horse town and then complain that jobs are not around. Around here the hospitals hirse new grads all the time. The reason hopsitals are short handed is because they are cheap, and dont want to hire good help. instead they will run a skeleton crew, and have quality care suffer.

Hi xj3nnerz,
If I graduate RN school December of 2010 - when should I start applying for an RN position on O'ahu? It sounds like they only have new grad positions certain times of the year?

In regards to exspenses in Hawaii. I always say that once someone starts complaining about the price of bread and/or milk they are within 6 months of moving to the mainland.

Hawaii has a special magic that appeals to some, comes with a big price tag and goals must be assessed. Its hard to retire her in style without an income over 100k per year. Mostly due to the high cost of living. However, to someone breathing in smog every day that may seem like the perfect trade off.

We have limilted jobs and the graduates are stressed. Hopefully that will resolve when the economy turns and people start feeling relaxed enough to retire again. No new grad stuff going on right now. What will I do when my time comes ?

I would advice and Nursing student to get a volunteer job or CNA job at the hospital they want to work at...or at any hospital that will take them for that matter. YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR NETWORTH!! The more people you get to know in these places now-a-days will help you with your career in the future...esp here in Hawaii. Others can help you get your face in the door where it would otherwise be closed. It's a little late to go back in time..but just a heads up for people thinking about taking up nursing or in nursing school. Every state is struggling..but Hawaii especially..Hiring freezes, paycuts, and just a small percentage of employers to begin with. Lots of people, including TONS of people that I know personally, have discovered that Nursing would give them versatility and stability..so now your not the only one hunting for these jobs. Also, remember that years of experience still won't guarantee you a job on the Islands if they're not hiring. Best of luck to everyone...including ME!

question: why are there so many travel positions listed for Hawaii?? It must be a lie because why would a hospital pay 1.5-2x more for a travel nurse in these economic times.

MommyT:

I agree with you. I would be happy to volunteer.

I went to MMMC, the hospital on Maui. The lady who was in charge of the auxiliary (volunteer) department was a retired RN. She let me know, very clearly... "If you have any intention to work, at the hospital, in the future, we WILL NOT take you on as a volunteer. We work with people who are age 65 or older. They work in the gift shop, the book store, the reception desk. They usually stay with us for 2-5 years. Our charter (bylaws, rules and regulations) are very clear. We don't take anyone on as a volunteer who wants to work here." Please know... she was extremely polite, extremely courteous and extremely respectful when she said this to me. I talked to another lady, a nurse who has worked at the hospital for 5+ years. She said she has NEVER seen a volunteer there who was younger than 50.

Yes, I agree with you. MY NETWORK IS MY NET WORTH. I can't find a place to work as a CNA, and I can't find a place to volunteer. Now what?