Moving to Seattle alone?

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jul 3, 2012

Hi everyone! I'm 22 years old, been working currently in a pediatric cardiac ICU in Ohio for about a year and I am strongly considering moving to Seattle next year. I would be moving by myself, know absolutely no one that lives there or even within 2000 miles. It is such a beautiful city and I have looked into Seattle Children's from time to time. Does anyone have any experience working there? Or moving across the country by yourself? Am I crazy? Lol thanks for any input you have to offer.

hey aprilfresh!

I live in the Seattle area now, came as a travel nurse originally. Where I work we had quite a few people move here for jobs or converted from travelers to staff over the past few years. At least where I am the staff is very inclusive, and do things outside of work together quite a bit. You could always look at travel nursing to come out this way, if you didn't want to move right out.

I don't work at children's but have known other nurses that do, and other than them watching every move you make d/t medication errors last year, no one says bad stuff about them. But like I said, I've never worked there and don't do peds.

You aren't crazy! People do it all the time. If you come out this way I can put you in touch with the nurses I know here that always go and do, they would welcome you and show you around. I have a family, so I have less experience on the moving alone. But everyone here seems okay with it. Even tonight 4 out of 6 nurses moved within in the last 5 years alone to the area.

I want to warn you about the weather-it isn't the drizzle, it's the lack of sun. we had a handful of sunny day's in June, and I think only 2 above 70. It's always cloudy. Makes people very cranky and everyone wants to move b/c of the weather.

But come out, I am sure you will do fine, meet people and fit in! i traveled the country for 3 years with my family a few years back and loved it.

good luck!

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2012

Hey I'm hoping to do this in the next 6 months and I'm from Ohio too :) I hope it's doable cuz I'm gonna do it lol

BearishBob · Jul 13, 2012

I want to warn you about the weather-it isn't the drizzle, it's the lack of sun. we had a handful of sunny day's in June, and I think only 2 above 70. It's always cloudy. Makes people very cranky and everyone wants to move b/c of the weather.

I lived in the seattle area for two years when I was a young man, I loved it. I want to go back.

Here, in the armpit of hell, its been over 100 degrees everyday of June. I only see the sun through the shades of the window. I miss being outside. You can always put on a jacket in Seattle. Here, theres only so much you can take off before you get a court appearance.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jul 13, 2012

I lived in the seattle area for two years when I was a young man, I loved it. I want to go back.
Here, in the armpit of hell, its been over 100 degrees everyday of June. I only see the sun through the shades of the window. I miss being outside. You can always put on a jacket in Seattle. Here, theres only so much you can take off before you get a court appearance.

I think there has been a rash of really bad summers every summer we have been here over the last few years. This year we didn't start seeing the sun till after July 4th. My kids kept asking me why if it was summer, there wasn't any sun? And when we could move out of state. We really like to have all seasons. I have lived all over the U.S. and know hot, for now it's sad when we go to the lake and it's so cold the kids can't hardly stand to get in. We finally reached 80 this week! I think if it was longer at this temp it wouldn't be so hard to take.

And many houses here do not have a/c so it doesn't matter how hot it gets, you roast indoors!

It will be nice to move, although there are lots of things that I like about this area.

CorazonDeOro · Jul 30, 2012

I am from Michigan and also contemplating a move out to Seattle. I fell in love with it the second I visited. I have a year of experience on a surgical floor. I was surprised that I received a call from a hospital out in Seattle the day after I applied. I just have to figure out if its worth flying out for an interview. I am terrified to move since I do not know anyone in the area! My boyfriend works in the IT field and will move with me if he can find a job. Its very scary and exciting! Any advice from RNs in Seattle is appreciated!

The hospital that contacted me is Harborview. Is this a good hospital? I know its a Level 1 trauma hospital which is what I was looking for (since I work in a very large urban teaching hospital right now).

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2012

I actually work with a guy who moved here last year from Michigan! My mom lives out by you too. There is lots for people to do, people seem be very active here. I know quite a few that have moved single from across the country and they have done fine. And when your boyfriend moves it will be even better! Harborview is our only level 1 so they get things from Alaska and all over. As long as you know what type of clientele you will end up with, then you know what you are getting into! I have never worked there, but have worked with many people who have. Or who went to work in their trauma ICU.

Good luck!

You should all meet up when you move, since you will be new to the area!

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2012

I am from Michigan and also contemplating a move out to Seattle. I fell in love with it the second I visited. I have a year of experience on a surgical floor. I was surprised that I received a call from a hospital out in Seattle the day after I applied. I just have to figure out if its worth flying out for an interview. I am terrified to move since I do not know anyone in the area! My boyfriend works in the IT field and will move with me if he can find a job. Its very scary and exciting! Any advice from RNs in Seattle is appreciated!
The hospital that contacted me is Harborview. Is this a good hospital? I know its a Level 1 trauma hospital which is what I was looking for (since I work in a very large urban teaching hospital right now).

This is great news! I just sent off my app for WA endorsement. I have a year of experience as well except it's in peds.

CCL RN, RN · Aug 3, 2012

My boyfriend works in the IT field and will move with me if he can find a job. Its very scary and exciting! Any advice from RNs in Seattle is appreciated!

Hopefully, your boyfriend has at least: Epic experience or a minimum of a bachelors degree. Otherwise, he doesn't stand a chance. Remember, this is the home of Microsoft....the IT field here is VERY competitive....

rokbe, LPN, LVN · Aug 9, 2012

i moved here 10 years ago from NY and I love it here..My family is still in NY and I think about moving back..

Right now Im trying to get into an ADN program here in Seattle and having a hard time..Hope all of you make the right decision

aukamc · Sep 29, 2012

Please post on how things go. I am a peds critical care nurse (14 years + manager) and left it 2 years ago for ER. love my change but now am getting divorced and looking to move from Iowa to Seattle. I am looking into the traveling option as i did it before and loved it. I am a single mom so i understand being scared. I would be entirely alone and have some of the same concerns.

gromit1084 · Oct 19, 2012

I am 23 years old and graduate in may 2013, and plan to move to Seattle alone. Its very exciting and scary at the same time. I wouldn't mind making a few friends ahead of time. I am coming from Texas. Hopefully the market is good!