Alaska Nursing

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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

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Ive Never Ahd Trouble Finding A Job In Alaska. I Just Pack Up, Move My Family, And Never Had A Problem Getting A Job The First Day Iwas In Town. If You Would Rather Be Prepared, Look On The Net And Get Phone Numbers, Then Set Up An Interview. Or, If You Want To Work For A Native Hospital (they Pay Well), Call Them Up And You Can Negotiate Your Own Contract. Id Suggest This As You Save The Insitution Money, And Therefore Get Paid More. They Pay For Travel To And From Your Residence, Housing, And Usually Are Good To Work For. Not To Mention The Great Native Art You Can Pick Up At Extremely Low Costs. Bush Nursing Is Different But Very Very Fun.

It Takes A Different Kind Of Person To Live In Alaska. You Might Just Try A Short Contract First, Then Decide If Its What You Want, Rather Than Commit Yourself To Hell. Personally I Think This Is The Best Place In The World.

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Thanks for your reply. My husband and I are planning a vacation in Alaska and I will stop in at several hospitals to see what's availble. I appreciate your response.

Merideth

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Transport, Home Care, Mgmnt.

uck

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

I worked as a prn float nurse in Fairbanks, AK years ago when we were stationed there. It didn't pay much, but the people were really nice on the units I worked on (adult surgery unit and pediatrics). :)

I personally wouldn't live in Alaska........too far from my family for my own personal comfort, but many people that I have met loved it there. Some like it, some don't. Let us know how you like it once you've visited there. It's a beautiful state though...lots of bald eagles, moose, whitebobtail deer, and the northern lights are breathtaking. :)

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Hi,

I am also interested in moving to AK when my son grads from HS. I wouldn't mind living and working in the middle of nowhere. Anybody got any good suggestions of where I might want to work. Don't want Juneau, Anchorage or Fairbanks---not a big city girl.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We were stationed at Fort Greely (Delta Junction, Alaska) from 86 to 88 and we loved it. Ft. Greely is 110 miles south of Fairbanks and 500 miles northeast of Anchorage - right in the middle of nowhere. It is so beautiful. However, it is also truly dark 6 months of the year which takes a while to get used too. Some people do very well there, others have a very hard time. The military hospitals are at Wainwright Army Base in Fairbanks (Bassett Army Community Hospital) and there is a small military clinic at Ft. Greely. Good luck.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Hi,

I am also interested in moving to AK when my son grads from HS. I wouldn't mind living and working in the middle of nowhere. Anybody got any good suggestions of where I might want to work. Don't want Juneau, Anchorage or Fairbanks---not a big city girl.

Ummm...Fairbanks is NOT a "big city". It doesn't even have a shopping mall. :rotfl:

At least it didn't when I lived there in 1996. :uhoh21: You can drive the whole place in say...five minutes. :chuckle

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Transport, Home Care, Mgmnt.
Hi,

I am also interested in moving to AK when my son grads from HS. I wouldn't mind living and working in the middle of nowhere. Anybody got any good suggestions of where I might want to work. Don't want Juneau, Anchorage or Fairbanks---not a big city girl.

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. :p

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WOW best of luck to you! Be sure and let us know how it goes. I will be looking into it as well at some point.

Hubby went there TDY and had a great time. I think I will do a summer contract to see what it is all about. I have heard of nurses at my facility doing this and having a great time while making BUCKS.

Good luck!!

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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!

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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. :p

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

:)

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