Canadian RN - got a Job offer in Spokane

[RusRN]

Hello fellow nurses,

I am a Long term care RN for four years from Vancouver, Canada. I was offered a full time acute care position in Deaconess Hospital in Spokane during a job fair in Vancouver. I have been looking for hospital acute care position during the past months and was not successful due to lack of experience. Also I have been meaning to move to the US in the future and I figured that with this job offer I can get both a hospital experience and a chance to work in the US.

I have read a couple of posts about nursing in Spokane, and so far it seems like I'm having mixed feeling about accepting the job offer. How is the working conditions for nurses in Spokane? What is the wage for the RNs in spokane? I live in lower mainland Vancouver and cost of living here is sky rocketing. I do not mind a pay cut as Spokane cost of living is lower. Is Deaconess Hospital a nice place to learn the acute care setting? I figured that I can get at least 2 years of experience from Deaconess and then apply to other facilities in Washington or even in California where I have family.

[starbucksandpink]

Spokane is a great city! I grew up there but I'm currently living in Seattle during grad school. Honestly if Deaconess doesn't work out there are TONS of medical opportunities in Spokane. WSU is building a new campus here, this Rockwood and Sacred Heart. Spokane cost of living is low (compared to to western WA) and the people are really friendly. Great place to raise kids if that's in your future as well. People who move here tend to stay because of the slow going and friendly people. Tons of hiking and shopping.