Tell all about Arkansas!

twinkletoes53 · Mar 30, 2007

I am a NICU nurse, and Have worked at Arkansas Children's Hospital for 30 years. If you are interested in Pediatric, I would recommend you check out and tour the hospital. We are a very progressive, research oriented hospital. Our NICU is 68-74 beds, and expanding. We treat all congenital birth defects, both med. and surgical; all CHD in a specialized CV ICU. We have a separate ECMO unit. We receive tansports from all over AR, plus surrounding states. Hospital has the only dedicated Burn treatment center for the state. We do heart and kidney transplantation. Have just started a bariatric surgery unit for teens at severe risk. They work in conjunction with nutritionists and our Fitness Center. Multidisciplinary approach to care: MDs, Rn's,PT/OT/Speech/Child Life/Social Work/Pastoral Care/volunteers, etc. We have residents, attendings, and fellows in-house 24/7. Difficult thing: residents rotate as often as monthly through certain areas of hospital, so your patient's families will be seeing a lot of doctors if they are here for a prolonged period of time. we do have teams for our "Long term" patients in our unit, so families see consistency of care.

dontknowwhen · Mar 31, 2007

I moved here two years ago from Cali. I have seen quite a few confederate flags around here. (it is the south). The weather is crazy. Snow one day, 70 degrees the next. Tornados, thundestorm warnings. There are a million species of bugs that I have never seen in my life. I swear I saw something that looked as big as a fairy the other night. If you want something to do, you must actively seek it out or you'll be at home becomng a couch potato. I love the state fair, the river fest, the country boys. No bumper to bumper traffic. No looooong lines in the DMV. In the fall, everthing is so beautiful when the leaves on the trees start to change colors.

Majority of the people I've met are really nice. Sometimes overly. But I prefer that the alternative.

Oh. The razorbacks are THE thing here and Jermaine Taylor. Don't talk bad about either or you'll be tarred & feathered on sight. :trout: :nono: :argue: j/k

I_am_Julia · Apr 2, 2007

i agree with the statements of ex....

as far as discrimination, it is more so in arkansas than many major cities. if you aren't a minority, you can't really speak on it.

I_am_Julia · Apr 2, 2007

this is so true. i remember visiting family in ar and asked about this jermaine taylor and the people were disgusted that i didn't know. :lol2:

oh. the razorbacks are the thing here and jermaine taylor. don't talk bad about either or you'll be tarred & feathered on sight. :trout: :argue: j/k

mo-mo · Apr 3, 2007

Julia, Just wondering if there is a specific area that you've experienced racism? NW area, LR, southern AR?

This is a huge concern of mine when I consider moving back to AR, as I don't want my kids to be exposed to the kind of racism that I saw growing up there...My heart goes out to you for whatever experiences you endured.

momo

I_am_Julia · Apr 3, 2007

typically, in the little rock area, it's subtle. if you are use to living in a large city, you will quickly see that the races don't mix on a friendly basis. it's very limited. i would caution any person of color from living outside of lr. the oppotunities are limited (in the entire state) and the ability to network and see other people who look like you is minimal. unless you are moving to ar on a short term basis, i wouldn't recommend it at all.

julia, just wondering if there is a specific area that you've experienced racism? nw area, lr, southern ar?
this is a huge concern of mine when i consider moving back to ar, as i don't want my kids to be exposed to the kind of racism that i saw growing up there...my heart goes out to you for whatever experiences you endured.
momo

Ex130Load · May 22, 2007

Some of what you have said is true, however, much of it is outdated information.
Regarding education, some of the schools may be "backwards" but we also have schools that have surpassed the national averages in all categories. I live in Bryant, which is where my kids attend school and this is true of these schools. The graduating rate, SAT scores and post-secondary education numbers have well exceeded the national average. There are also other districts that have as well.
Is there discrimination? Yes. There is ANYWHERE in this country that you move. Having lived in other places, I can tell you that it is not any worse here than elsewhere.
Are you in the Bible Belt? Yes Sir. This country was founded on the principle of God and we hold firmly to that in this region of the country. (this is NOT meant to start a religious debate)
I may not always agree with our governor, however, no matter where you are, there will be political agendas that you disagree with.
Is it a beautiful state with two of the top hospitals in the country? Yes it is. UAMS and Arkansas Children's Hopsital are second to none in research, technology and medical breakthroughs. They have been - multiple times- ranked by US News and World Report as top facilities in the world.
It is also a great place to raise a family with a decent wage/cost-of living ratio.

Following a PM, I decided to relocate my first posting and review responses and postings.

The poster immediately following mine stated much of my original posting is outdated. I made some phone calls, had a few talks, checked the "net," checked some local papers, etc. I will only agree that some(!) things are outdated and have decided to post updates where I feel warranted and of significance.

UPDATE--The state legislature is throwing another 100 million dollars to address the dilapidated school system--$200,000,000 or so. This wasn't largess on the state's part, but in response to the state supreme court's rebuke for not complying with its first directive. According to local news media, the legislature tried various actions to get around having to comply with the original court mandate. The court responded by extending its oversight for at least another year to help ensure state compliance. Legislators then mostly resigned themselves there was no way to legislate themselves a fix and appropriated the additional $100 million while the getting was good--a shocking nearly one billion dollar surplus.

UPDATE--Racism. It seems to be alive and well in the Cabot area which made the local papers for a possible worsening of relations. If memory serves me, a black Air Force family living in Cabot awoke one morning to find an epithet sprayed on their fence or house... might have been one of their children that actually discovered it on the way out to school, but am unsure. This followed new reports of a neutral fashion commenting how some Katrina evacuees were placed in the Cabot. As I sometimes work in the construction industry in Cabot, the evacuees' arrival was a topic of conversation within the trade and among reality agents I met--nothing negative, but... it was discussed. I was told by an active duty Air Force member that the race relations folk were "dialed-in" to Cabot and closely watching the town.

STATUS QUO--Personal property (which includes autos) and income tax rates remain about the same.

UPDATE--Bible belt. The religious governor is out of office and running for US president. The governor's records stands and may partially explain his dismal standings among party candidates.

UPDATE--College scholarships. Up slightly proportionately according to a friend who works for ASU-Beebe. Good deal! The kid I mentioned having a Mohawk and ridiculed by some locals graduated with two baccalaureate degrees... within four years. Good for him!

RazorbackRN, I would agree with you if you stated discrimination occurs in all states. I will not agree with you that it is not worse than anywhere according to my experience. Things may be improving though. The state police (state troopers?) recently was removed from federal oversight for overt and systemic racial discrimination in hiring and promotions. In my 45 years or so of military experience and living in many different locales, the only place that comes close to comparing with AR's racial climate is the New York City area of which we read periodically.

UPDATE--Attitudes towards sports and Hog/Razorbacks. No change on the legislative front regarding increased transparency of public schools over how tax dollars are spent support sports, notably football and basketball. Of note according a local high school teacher is that her school's soccer team was demoted to a club. What does that matter? No tax dollars support clubs... which leaves more money to the "big" sports--football, basketball, and baseball in particular.

Arkansas sports, especially the "Hogs" football team of whom many seem rabid--I expect them to possibly do better. Two years ago, the USC Trojans stomped the Hogs... 75ish or so to 14? Last year, the Hogs improved significantly; USC only beat'em 40-something to 20s? Next year, I'll bet USC won't beat the Hogs... because the Hogs aren't scheduled to play USC for the first time in several if not in many years. This will occur despite the fact the Hog's much ballyhooed quarterback (a native Arkansan) quit after one year and transferred. Maybe he knows or finally realized something.

UPDATE--Baptist Hospital (Little Rock) Unionization. The federal court finally helped resolve the labor dispute. I think I remember reading hospital management was found trying to rig the union vote in violation of federal law and other violations. They're union which is good or bad depending on your perspective.

UPDATE--Corrupt public and government officials. It was the mayor, police chief, chief's wife, two bailiffs/bondsmen, and other assorted folks who where charged with a cornucopia of wrongdoings... from Lonoke correct? The chief and wife have been convicted are in the pokey. Did I get all the characters correct? I could go back and double check MSNBC... or CNN--cannot remember which media covered the story, perhaps both. Maybe Huckabee would pardon'em if he still was in the governor's mansion.

UPDATE--Arkansas education. If Bryant's schools have improved, my hat's off to the community and to the others as well. My connected ASU friend maintains that state still ranks among the worst with the number of four-year degrees awarded within five years and the number of students needing remedial course upon entering four-year institutions. Arkansas also was among states cheating on achievement tests mandated by No Child Left Behind. Practices included ensuring some of the worst students were absent on test dates and that races were not accurately reflected. Again, Arkansas wasn't the only one doing these actions and No Child Left Behind is a practically unachievable as currently written and funded for those aware of the details.

STATUS QUO--Still in the bible belt. Two more churches going up in my neighborhood. Man, where does the money come from? The Pentecostal monstrosity in North Little Rock at the junction of I-30 and I-40--A friend of mine inquired about joining with this particular church and stated the church wanted a copy of his tax returns for the preceding year return and demanded payroll deduction.

I googled quickly for bookstores in Searcy. Three popped up--Harding University Book Store (religious affiliation), Church Data Services, and Bible House Inc. The last two are listed as having the same address and phone number. Somehow I don't envision a Barnes and Noble, Books A Million, etc. opening there anytime soon.

Publicly funded healthcare providers--I can't see Searcy's population receiving the best community healthcare possible in such a religious sodden atmosphere. I wonder how much is mentioned about abortion, birth control, pre-marital sex, sex education, etc. other than to say "no" to extramarital sex which according to a study I read of yesterday was completely worthless. The preached to "no" kids engaged in sex as often as those preached to "no" and offered sexual education. The feds gives millions to preach abstention and cut back on abortion, birth control clinics, etc. Like RazorbackRN, I don't mean to start a religious debate, only mention facts and share observations. Potential settlers should individually decide if the religious atmosphere is to their liking.

STATUS QUO-UPDATE--I agree that Arkansas still is it a beautiful state with two of the top hospitals in the country. UAMS and Arkansas Children's Hospital are second to none in research, technology and medical breakthroughs. They have been ranked by US News and World Report as top facilities in the world. But if you are considering applying to UAMS for nursing school, consider its first time NCLEX pass rate--86%. I think cross-town competitors Baptist and UALR were in the high 90s. Call the AR Board of Nursing. UAMS had among the lower pass rates of four-year, two-year, and certificate programs.

STATUS QUO--Catfish, Bar B-Q, a sweetened iced tea are to die for.

Despite writing what some will view as a diatribe about Arkansas, I recommend coming to Arkansas and buying a home as long you do it with both eyes open. I think the Latin expression "caveat emptor" can easily apply in some situations.

Please excuse typos, punctuation errors, etc. If I am significantly wrong on claims/statements, please give specifics as to how I erred. Another please, don't just say, "Some of what you have said is true, however, much of it is outdated information." That is profoundly vague and useless to me and other readers. I depended much on memories/recollections and little on notes, recordings, etc.

cabykay · May 25, 2007

Julia, Just wondering if there is a specific area that you've experienced racism? NW area, LR, southern AR?
This is a huge concern of mine when I consider moving back to AR, as I don't want my kids to be exposed to the kind of racism that I saw growing up there...My heart goes out to you for whatever experiences you endured.
momo

Honestly, I wouldn't recm'd moving any further north than Conway. I'm from a little town about 45 min's north of Conway and racism sadly is still an issue (whether people want to admit it or not). I lived in Conway for a year and have lived in North Little Rock for almost 7 and am happy to say that it is nowhere near as bad as in North Central/North Arkansas.

mo-mo · May 25, 2007

Hey cabykay! I, too, am from a small town @ 45 min north of Conway!!! (Ever heard of Alread)Technically doesn't qualify as a town, as it doesn't have a post office!

cabykay · May 28, 2007

Hey cabykay! I, too, am from a small town @ 45 min north of Conway!!! (Ever heard of Alread)Technically doesn't qualify as a town, as it doesn't have a post office!

of course I know where Alread is! I'm from Dennard.

HayliesMommy · Jul 20, 2007

I've been in the military for a few years. But always go back for vacation to visit the family. About the racism, I have a minority husband,a Puerto Rican from NY, I have recieved LOTS of "comments" about how dark my girl is from my "friends". Although, I didn't live in a "small" town, most of my friends around me did. I've heard graduates of Bauxite say they have "run minoritys out" of their town. So yes in the smaller towns in AR the racism is still very much alive.

I lived near Bryant, in Benton and most of my family is there. I do not know the statics on schools in AR and do not care to look them up but I DO know that I recieved a VERY good education.

I love the mountains and can't wait until my daughter gets older so we can go on hikes. (she's 2). The lakes and fishing there great!

princess23601 · Oct 13, 2007

Hello,

I am 24 years old and I have lived in Arkansas all my life. Arkansas really is a good state to raise children in. I mean it's laid back and it's not that much trouble in the state. But I looked on the Internet a couple months back and we are the lowest paid state but the highest paid taxpayers. My husband and I are really thinking about moving once I get my nursing licences. I am from Jonesboro. I think that when we decided to have kids that I would want a place like this to raise them though. The houses down here are very affordable. You could get a brand new house with about 4 bedrooms in a good neighborhood for about 200,000. So I mean it's all about the town you pick and everything. All states and towns got problems and Arkansas is not an exception. So good luck!!!:balloons: