Alaska Nursing

Linds · Sep 3, 2005

Hello: I just have a few questions and was hoping someone out there could answer them. I am in my second year of college in Anchorage and I am pusing my nuring degree. Iam going to Central Texas College and I was wondering what degree plan I should ask for(like applied science) ? Also, can someone explain the pre reqs to me my college has not helped with that! THANKS

lmz · Sep 7, 2005

There are only one or two places where your specialty will matter. That would be in Anchorage and probably Wasilla. I'm not sure about Fairbanks, but I think it is a small hospital. All the other places you could work will entail multiple pt types and acuities. One caveat, having lived here for 13 years and seen many people move to Alaska to work only to turn around and leave. It is very dark all winter, unless you stay down in Juneau, where it is not so dark all the time. It is often very cold. Because I have seen MANY people come here for a job only to find they can't handle winter, which is very long, I would suggest you try a travel nursing stint in winter. If you like that, you'll do okay here. While it is a lovely place all the time, the darkness can be very difficult. Summer time is a blast here. We all run ourselves ragged trying to fit in a lot before winter comes. Regardless of the time of year, the people are all pretty darned nice. Good luck.

Amandamarie · Sep 9, 2005

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

I worked in Nicu, at providence, very swanky, progressive unit. They will pay you to come. Very tightly regimented, but excelent care given to infants and familys. I think they give a 2500.00 starting bonus in anchorage and pay for your stuff to be delivered. Nice people, great equipment. Picu, I don't know so much about. If you are serious call Mary Sterling at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, in HR, she is wonderful, and a very nice person to boot! Tell her Linda says Hi!

flrlpn · Sep 11, 2005

My Wife & I something we thought deeply about Alaska sounds great right?

Would like to find someone who has the 411.

Contact me please!!!

Thanks

katrinanovakova · Oct 9, 2005

Hello...

I am due to graduate w/ my BSN this December. I have initiated contact with a recruiter and she related three rural locations accepting applications from new grads - Bethel, Nome and Kotzebue. I briefly lived on the Kenai Pen. and fished throughout southeast, but have little knowledge of the areas listed. I was curious how long ago you were in Bethel, what the area was like. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks

kat911 · Oct 14, 2005

I lived in Behtel for two years. I worked in the ER and eventually became the manager of the inpatient units, med/surg and peds. If you are single the average length of stay in a bush area is two years. Families usually stay longer. You need to find out about housing. They were preparing to build a new apt. complex across the street and were looking at builing other housing at a remote site called the BIA site when I left about 10 years ago. They should have subsidized housing available, if not then be sure you have something before you go and you know what all your costs will be. Housing is extremely expensive as are utilities. I'm sure a lot has changed up there in the 10 years since I left, so have long conversations with the recruiter or personnel manager there. They used to send out a package of information that was very helpful. I still have the video they sent me. You will work very hard. You can play very hard as well. You can make great friends and memories that will last forever. They were very good at trying to make a good fit for all concerned. If you can't make your own fun and keep yourself busy then the bush is problably not a good place to go. However if you enjoy outdoor activities, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling etc you will love it. Check out the newpaper, the Tundra Drums for more information about the city. Email me if you have specific questions.:)

qbingirl · Apr 29, 2006

hello,

i am seriously considering moving to anchorage in jan and have so many questions. i posted a thread to get so me answers but no-one seems to reply. if any of you have any information for me or would like to answer some questions...i would greatly appreciate it.

thank you...qbingirl

DachRN · Aug 2, 2006

Homer is great but not a lot of job openings there, Sitka Island is nice but you have to fly to Anchorage to leave to lower 48 and there is a new Hospital in the Valley NE of Anchorage about 65 miles.............supposed to be nice and much cheaper to live than ANchorage................hope that helps

thepenartist · May 8, 2008

this post is a couple of years later.... lol

Are there still opportunities in Anchorage for RNs?

kitty25 · May 13, 2008

this post is a couple of years later.... lol
Are there still opportunities in Anchorage for RNs?

- i agree!

- i am a north carolina soon-to-be BSN graduate (dec '08) considering a BIG move to Anchorage. i would also like any info about current & near future job opportunities. my dream job is to start out in ICU; however, the requisites on local hospital websites for critical care jobs all demand experience. i understand that ICU jobs offered to new grads are a "rare find" in almost any location, but if somebody knows otherwise - i would certainly be appreciative!

~thanks

labrador4122, RN · May 13, 2008

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.

just wondering.... what do you mean that it is dark for 6 months of the year?? like dark like night dark? :nurse:

labrador4122, RN · May 13, 2008

- i agree!
- i am a north carolina soon-to-be BSN graduate (dec '08) considering a BIG move to Anchorage. i would also like any info about current & near future job opportunities. my dream job is to start out in ICU; however, the requisites on local hospital websites for critical care jobs all demand experience. i understand that ICU jobs offered to new grads are a "rare find" in almost any location, but if somebody knows otherwise - i would certainly be appreciative!
~thanks

in miami children's in miami FL, they will take you in the PICU as a fresh new grad- even without your license!