ICU nurse looking for local input

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Hi,

I'm an RN with 2.5 years med-surg experience, and have recently started in the ICU. I plan to have 1.5-2 years ICU experience before moving to Hawaii.

My husband and I are making changes and choices in our life now, preparing for a move in the near future to Hawaii. I am now learning of the poor job market in nursing in Hawaii, which is making me nervous. I'm curious of any and all input locals may have to offer on this.

We are open to moving to any island at first- for up to a year to get a foot in. Our goal would be to settle on Kauai. Is the job market best in Honolulu?

Ideally I would like an ICU job- but would be willing to take anything that pays >$30/hr. Does anyone know the typical starting pay range in Hawaii for a nurse with 4 yrs experience? My guess is $30-$35?

Thanks for your help!

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Hi,

I'm an RN with 2.5 years med-surg experience, and have recently started in the ICU. I plan to have 1.5-2 years ICU experience before moving to Hawaii.

My husband and I are making changes and choices in our life now, preparing for a move in the near future to Hawaii. I am now learning of the poor job market in nursing in Hawaii, which is making me nervous. I'm curious of any and all input locals may have to offer on this.

We are open to moving to any island at first- for up to a year to get a foot in. Our goal would be to settle on Kauai. Is the job market best in Honolulu?

Ideally I would like an ICU job- but would be willing to take anything that pays >$30/hr. Does anyone know the typical starting pay range in Hawaii for a nurse with 4 yrs experience? My guess is $30-$35?

Thanks for your help!

4 years experience with 2 yrs ICU? You will likely be fine in Honolulu. You will make way more than $35/hr. You can expect >$45/hr no matter which hospital you work at. I cannot speak for Kauai.

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Actually there is no guarantee that you'll get a job even with ICU experience in Honolulu. Since HMC closed (2 hospitals), there are former HMC ICU nurses still looking for a permanent placement and are working agency in the interim.

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betherjd: did you ever find a job in Hawaii, is it ICU, how did it go, any tips??? I am a 4 plus year ICU nurse, trained in CSICU and SICU at two large inner city teaching hospitals. I have ACLS/PALS/CCRN, run charge and precept and I still feel like I am having a hard time finding a job for October, it is so discouraging!!!!
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have you considered taking travel positions?

a lot of the staff we've picked up have been travelers that were a good fit for the unit and decided they wanted to extend their stay in HI (as regular staff).

ICU is one of those areas where there's a limited pool of RN's in the islands. when units are short-staffed there isn't anywhere to pull from b/c it takes at least a couple months to train RN's from other units. therefore, to fill immediate staffing needs, travelers are brought in.

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