Las Vegas

MikeyJ, RN · Mar 20, 2007

Hi Nevada Nurses!
I've just returned from the most amazing holiday of my life in Las Vegas. There's something intoxicating about the place!
Now I'm back home where the sun doesn't shine so brightly, and life just seems alltogether a bit dull! Welcome to Ireland!
So anyway, I've been looking into a 6 month working holiday in Las Vegas!
I'd just like your opinions on whether this would be a good move, or whether we should just keep LV as a holiday destination. What are the hospitals like in las Vegas? What is everyday life like there? I know holidays and real life are worlds apart, but there's just something about the place!
I just feel like we missed so much when we were there and would need 6 months to see everything! Working in America can only be good experience too in my opinion.
Anyway, your opinions would be greatly recieved. I'm just newly married and I'd love to do something like this before the babies start arriving!
Hanna

I'm not a nurse yet -- however, I can probably give you some insight. First off, the tourist spots in vegas (such as the strip) and the residential/business sides of vegas are TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT worlds. I don't necessarily dislike living here though.

The city is fairly expensive to live in -- mostly just housing. From what I have witnessed at the hospitals, the nurses tend to be quite busy (very poor nursing to patient ratios). However, nurses pay in Las Vegas/Henderson is pretty high.

Hopefully some actual working nurses could respond and give you a better idea about working here! :)

eldragon · Mar 22, 2007

I lived in Vegas for 12 years, from 1988-2000, and left because I wanted a better life for my kids. The schools were bad, crime was high, traffic was outrageous.

I was just in Vegas this past week, too. The city has some great new things - fabulous restaurants and shopping, for instance. But the cost of living has sky-rocketed.

I visited with people who have lived in Vegas for decades, and they say the changes are terrible.

But if real estate goes back down to a reasonable level, we might move back in a few years, too.

MikeyJ, RN · Mar 23, 2007

I lived in Vegas for 12 years, from 1988-2000, and left because I wanted a better life for my kids. The schools were bad, crime was high, traffic was outrageous.
I was just in Vegas this past week, too. The city has some great new things - fabulous restaurants and shopping, for instance. But the cost of living has sky-rocketed.
I visited with people who have lived in Vegas for decades, and they say the changes are terrible.
But if real estate goes back down to a reasonable level, we might move back in a few years, too.

Totally agreeable -- if I had kids, I probably would not be living in Vegas. That doesn't mean kids are doomed with the school system, because parenting has a lot to do with it as well.

For a married couple with no kids, or a single person, Vegas is a wonderful place to live. Endless opportunities and endless things to do.

hanna-beacon · Mar 25, 2007

No kids yet so I guess the schooling system isn't going to put us off coming!

Sistermike, which hospital do you work in there? I've been reading in other threads that working coonditions aren't that great? Also what are shift patterns like there? 12 hour shifts, 3 or 4 days a week are pretty much the norm here.

Maybe I'm being idealistic, but I think that the gorgeous weather and endless shows and activities would more than compensate for a few months of 'less than perfect' working conditions! And sure, nowhere is perfect anyway!

MikeyJ, RN · Mar 25, 2007

No kids yet so I guess the schooling system isn't going to put us off coming!
Sistermike, which hospital do you work in there? I've been reading in other threads that working coonditions aren't that great? Also what are shift patterns like there? 12 hour shifts, 3 or 4 days a week are pretty much the norm here.
Maybe I'm being idealistic, but I think that the gorgeous weather and endless shows and activities would more than compensate for a few months of 'less than perfect' working conditions! And sure, nowhere is perfect anyway!

Hanna -- I'm not a nurse yet, only a nursing student. However, I have worked at UMC hospital (as a program coordinator) and I've spent a lot of time at Sunrise Hospital and Valley Hospital.

It really depends on what hospital you are at. I would say that Valley Hospital is notorious for unhappy nurses, in my opinion. UMC nurses are usually content with their jobs, as are Sunrise Hospitals. Also, there are much smaller private hospitals, such as Mountain View where I have heard the facilities are marvelous and the nurses are pretty content.

Most of the nurses here work 12-hour shifts. At some of the hospitals, some nurses are working 5 shifts a week, while at others they are encouraged only to work their 3 shifts a week, with a possible extra shift every other week.

If I were you, I would totally come to Vegas for a few months. It is a great place to live, especially if you are into great restaurants, great shows, and a great night life. I can't wait till I start working as a nurse, so I can finally do more of it! :)