Casa Grande Az- im on my way!!!!

topscot · May 10, 2006

hi there, though i would take a minute to introduce myself to you all. Ive recently been offered a job at Casa Grande Regional Medical Centre, my provisional starting date is December 31st 2006.
I have a job on the med/surg floor, working night shifts. I believe there a few of us from England starting there at various times.
Im really looking forward to coming to AZ, if anyone has any advice for me i would be greatful, im sure some of the other nurses about to relocate would too!
thanks
Claire xxx

ENGLAND,dont tou mean the uk claire

english_nurse · May 10, 2006

you know what i mean, neighbour to be!!!!

apologies to you folks from scotland and wales who may be moving soon :bow: i did mean the uk really.

actually we are not that far from the welsh border and my husband is welsh so we are a multi cultural family heheh

:monkeydance:

darn, i love that monkey

boomerfriend · May 10, 2006

My advice to you is to soak in all that rain that you get there....remember what it looks like, feels like, smells like.... You won't be seeing much of it here. The landscape will be a lot different for you. It was a big change for me when we moved here from Germany (husband was in the USAF and I'm originally from here). However, it still was a big change even though I knew what I was in for.

What exactly are you wanting info regarding? Can't tell you anything about the hospital you're going to but I am an AZ native so I can talk about the area.

english_nurse · May 10, 2006

well i have two children aged 11 and 12, have you any experiance of the school system

topscot also has children around the same age

MsBruiser · May 10, 2006

You will probably find my thoughts on that hospital elsewhere on this board. They are not positive - there is a reason they need to "import" nurses from abroad to work in that facility. It is basically a small-town hospital serving a not very nice area. The local economy is dominated by prisons, farming, retail jobs, and people living on the dole. There are lots of cheap, new houses - if you don't mind living 50 miles in the middle of nowhere. For the sake of finding some culture and a fighting chance at decent schools, I would consider living a bit farther away in Chandler, Gilbert, or Tempe - in Maricopa NOT Pinal county - and commuting. The extra gas money is well-worth living in a nicer area. The good news - without traffic you are a mere 25 minutes from some great communities.

english_nurse · May 10, 2006

well i think i will take it as i find it and give it a chance, living somewhere more 'metropolitan' would be my worst nightmare

i like small town

what is it about the place you hated so much? if you like living in a city i can see why you wouldnt like the place, did you have a bad experiance while working there?

MsBruiser · May 10, 2006

First of all, I should say congrats on getting to cross the pond and discover the US. I hope you love our country as much as I love your country!

Second, Casa Grande is a small town - but one without a lot of charm. Picture, dusty, kind of poor, not very pleasant. But that said, it has lots of new and cheap housing that are quite nice. Gated communities and what-not. So if you choose to live there, you will certainly not be upset. It is fast becoming a very distant suburb of Phoenix. If you want the same suburban lifestyle but in a more metropolitan area - Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert are only 30 minutes away AT MOST.

Third, I had a poor experience doing my CNA training at CGRMC. I found the nurses to be nasty and lazy. On other units, my classmates found them to be nice and helpful. So like many things on this board, take things with the proverbial "grain of salt." All in all, it is not a teaching hospital, so expect routine work not on the cutting-edge of care. It is a small town hospital, albeit in a rapidly growing town. But if your goal is to try out the US for a few years, you can do much, much, MUCH worse somewhere else. As I said, other people may tell you how much they love the place...but I think I am right!

BTW, you will love Arizona. I am originally from NYC and AZ is now my home for almost 10 years. I would never consider living anywhere else. It took me awhile to adjust to this place, but something about AZ settled in my psyche, and now it is home, notwithstanding the large preponderance of George W Bush lovers! So please, take my comments with a grain of salt. I can't stand CGRMC, but maybe you won't. Certainly others have made a career out of the place.

rnmom3153 · May 10, 2006

I am also considering moving to AZ, closer to phoenix, I think. What is the process for transferring my nsg license? Thanks! rnmom

rnmom3153 · May 10, 2006

BTW, I've been in South Florida for the last 35 years!

rnmom

english_nurse · May 10, 2006

thanks for elaborating on that, i can certainly see your point of view, especially coming from NY somewhere like casa grande must have been a real culture shock.

ah well if it doesnt turn out to be very interesting im sure we can liven it up!

i think our inital plan will be to live near the hospital until we find our feet, the contract is only 18 months after that who knows where we will be!!!thanks very much

:monkeydance:

Still love that monkey!!!

MsBruiser · May 10, 2006

Good deal - enjoy your stay!

RNMOM: go to the Arizona State Board of Nursing Website - all information is there re: licensing. My folks just moved to Anthem, AZ after living in South Florida...