Leavin' TX for WA on 8-7-06

Hey!

We're relocating in less than 2 weeks (from Kyle,Tx, which is sandwiched between Austin & San Marcos) to Bellevue,WA with my husband's job.

I'm trying to prepare myself 'mentally' for the culture-shock I know is waiting for me. Unlike my husband, I've never up & moved so far away before, into such 'unknown territory'. (my use of the word "UP" in this context definitely indicates I've got a long way to go in my de-Texan-ification process)

I've been trying to retrain myself by limitting my use of "Ya'll" and other Texan-ism's so I don't stick out like a 10-foot tall armadillo.

I'm trying to eliminate some of the transition-stressors, though.. and wonder if you guys would mind sharing a bit of WA nurse-to-nurse insider information with me.

:w00t: I didn't say "ya'll"

Not knowing one area from another, and not having anyone to go to for an opinion puts me at a bit of a disadvantage. My question is this:

Are there any places you long-time WA nurses would highly recommend/suggest a newcomer look for employment? Places where you've had good/positive work experiences?

Are there any facilities that you'd 'forewarn' newcomers of? Places where a negative experience tends to be the norm? I realize that a lot of this is strictly opinion, but not always--and every bit of information helps.

One more question: Do most people rely on public transportation in the Seattle/Bellevue area, or do they drive their own cars?

Please feel free to respond privately.

Thanks in advance to anyone & everyone that offers any helpful bits of information. I appreciate it!

LOL, its a small world. I cannot resist from posting a reply.

I sold my house in Buda, TX on 3-10-06 and my wife & I moved to Tumwater [next to Oympia], WA on the same day. I'm PCS to FT Lewis and assigned to ICU East at Madigan Army Medical Center [MAMC]. My wife is also an RN [civilian] and works at Providence ST Peters, Stepdown Unit, in Olympia... and she hates it! They do primary care nursing, which she is not use to even though she as been an RN for +13 years. She has told me other reasons she does not care for the place, but I will not repeat it here. She has applied for a GS-10 RN position at MAMC and waiting for a day slot.

I have been in a very intense 14 week critical care nursing course at MAMC since the end of April, so I can't tell you much about the area. Susan & I have been to Pikes Market a couple of times. BTW, looks like to me most folks get around in the Seattle area via POV, rather than strictly public transportation. In otherwords, they get around just as most do in Austin. I think you will find the summers here better than Central Texas D/T way cooler & less humid. I do love the South Puget Sound area.

Please, keep all your Texan mannerisms.

:welcome:

Hi Yadda,

We moved from Bellevue to Dallas about 7 years ago. I don't know much about the work situation at the hospitals but I've heard good things about them. If you're living on the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah etc.) you're definitely going to want your own transportation.

Good luck with your move. Hope everything goes smoothly.

Sandy