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

I am currently working at Maniilaq Health Center in Kotzebue, AK. It is located about 22 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The only way to get here is by plane or barge (no roads!) They have a 10 bed inpatient unit, 3 bed ER, and outpatient clinic and service about 13 villages. You can pretty much work anywhere and everywhere you want. I haven't been here long, and am learning a lot about this community. But I will say that the reason to be here is for the people. I was a traveler for several years before coming to Alaska, and have never felt more welcomed ANYWHERE!! I just spent the day in a tiny village with about 350 people. I got off the plane that landed on the dirt runway, said "which way to the clinic?" and a local Native man (who I'd never met before) swung around and picked me up on his 4 wheeler- dropped me off at the front door and shook my hand before he drove away. You don't come here for the nightlife or the scene. You come here because you want to know that you are doing something that is desperately needed and greatly appreciated.

Oh, and I tried dried seal meat yesterday...which was a total GIFT- because Native foods are special and hard to come by....

This is adventure, with a Capital A for Alaska!

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Specializes in ED, PCU, Addiction, Home Health.

Hiker -

thanks so much for your post! It was an email I got about Kotzebue that started my hubby and I considering a move to Alaska. We have since decided on Juneau, but we had to carefully consider our options and preferences, etc. However, I did a lot of reading about Kotzebue, and I am so glad to hear you're having a good experience there!!!

Dawn in PA

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

I am a RN at Providence Alaska Medical Center in the Progressive Care Unit. I graduated from UAA and started out as a new grad in the PCU. This is a step down unit from their ACC (ICU). They have great RN intern positions for new grads. You can find job openings at providence.org and apply online.

If you want info about moving to Anchorage, Alaska take a look at ADN.com. This site has a lot of links for the information that you need. Getting a job in Anchorage is not hard at all. Good luck!!!

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Specializes in Wound Care.

hiker_rn

You don't have any contact information listed. I would like to be able to chat with you. I would like to hear more about your daily experiences in the area you are in; as well as hearing the details of working in the facility, too.

:chuckle

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Specializes in Surgical/Med-Surg.

Hi hiker_rn

I too would like to hear more about nursing in your area. Could I have some contact information. We travel to Alaska every summer and am always fascinated and would like to hear more about nursing there.

llamagirl

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All of this is so exciting reading all the comments about people interested in moving to Alaska. I still have a year before I graduate an RN then I think I need to put at least 2 years of experience under my belt before we pack up. Is that right. I think they would look down on someone who brings a license and doesn't have experience. I'm talking about an LPN license, just in case I don't make it through the RN program.Right? Right now I'm an LPN. The only practice I've had is being a medical assistant. I will start back in school in january. My husband is interested in Homer or Kenai. He lived in Alaska for 5 years in the military and just loved it. Of course this was before my time. Anyway, I'm reading everything I can about it.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, ICU, OR, PACU.

I lived in Eagle River (just north of Anchorage) and worked at Alaska Regional in the ICU/CCU from 1997-2000. At that time, it was a great unit to work in, and I had nothing but good experiences with the hospital. We did quite a few open hearts, and that was my main focus.

We moved there from Missoula, Montana--so I had some idea of how to deal with living in a cold climate. However, that first winter was a doozy. Nothing really prepares you for the sheer amount of snow, the short days (about 4 hours of daylight in Anchorage in December), and the length of the winter. Summers are short (a few months) and it's never dark.

Being bipolar, the light changes were brutal on me, and after a divorce, I bailed for a warmer climate.

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Specializes in neonatal intensive care.

I have 20 yrs. experience in NICU and would consider working and living in Alaska if I knew I could get a job there. Is it difficult getting a job in a specialty unit like NI in Anchorage or Fairbanks?

TIA!

Linda

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Hi nurseexec, How did it feel to get up in the morning knowing you had the weather to contend with? How do you prepare for your trip to work?

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