Moving to the southwest in June

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, Med-Surg, ER, Home-Health, Corr.

Planning to move somewhere in the southwest (NV -AZ - NM) this coming June 09 and was looking for some good places for an RN. I just need a change from where I am and have never tried the southwest (just waiting for my daughter to graduate from highschool). Prefer somewhere smaller and with things to do or at least access to them. Ft.Mohave, AZ caught my eye as a place of interest. Anyone ever worked at the hospital there or in that area? Any suggestions as a place to work/live in the southwest? Thanks to everyone ahead of time for their responses!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ED.

You might consider Show Low, AZ. Out of the way but it is a great area with a well-run hospital, Summit Regional Healthcare. Best of luck to you. Regards,

Jim

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Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.

NM is not bad. Grew up there. Lots to do and see. Relatively inexpensive to live, except for the Santa Fe & Taos areas.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Albuquerque, NM comes to mind. Also, look into Tucson, AZ.

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Specializes in OB.

If you like smaller hospitals with lots of outdoor activities I'll second the suggestion of Show Low, AZ. Nice hospital in a beautiful area. I've done two travel contracts there and extended both times.

Flagstaff, AZ is also a great town and for a larger city I really like Albuquerque, NM.

If you like winter sports I also enjoyed Reno.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I've lived in Albuquerque, NM for the last 5 years - moved here from New England and I really like it.

However, at least in this city, for-profit is the name of the game ... about the only non-profit in town is the UNM Hospital, and they have their own problems. Be prepared for the same staffing bulls--t you find elsewhere

Also, brush up on your medical Spanish and get ready to do more transcultural nursing than you ever have before. The whole area is incredibly diverse, between the Anglos, the Native Americans (and no, the different nations are NOT pretty much the same, culturally), immigrants from Mexico and the Spanish ... and do NOT call someone who identifies as Spanish, "Mexican"- you will leave work with an earful! There's a lot of folks descended from the original Spanish settlers in the region ... many still speak only Spanish.

Then there's the art scene ... fabulous!

A fascinating and stimulating place. PM if you care to hear my experience.

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Specializes in ED, Flight.

I pretty much second what Heron said. We live in Santa Fe.

My partner on my flight job is so fed up with the 'for profits' that he's really thinking of getting out of town.

Hey, Heron, I grew up in CT and we lived in Worcester, Mass before coming here. Where ya from?

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Specializes in Hospice.

Massachusetts ... born in NH, grew up in various spots in Ma ... had relatives in Woostah! My late partner wanted to retire to NM, so here I am. The only thing I miss is public transportation =(

Can't blame your partner for wanting to get out of Santa Fe ... lot of us call it Santa Fake! Kind of Martha Stewart does Southwest style! Reminds me of Martha's Vineyard ... so, so, so precious!

Still ... I love it in NM ... the cost of living is way less than the East Coast and, if you're patient, you can find some great jobs working with some great people.

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Specializes in ED, Flight.

Actually, it's ABQ my buddy wants to leave. He's just gotten fed up with many of the hospitals. And he's such an easy guy to work with. His wife is a fairly new nurse, so they're waiting till she's a bit more grounded, then they'll head for the West Coast.

BTW, for anybody else reading this thread, if you have children whose education you care about, think twice and three times about NM. The public schools here are universally terrible all across the state. The private schools are *mostly* better. That is a big consideration to make before moving. Two of our kids graduated HS and college here. I have to say I really think they got an inferior education compared to what my wife and I know from CT, MI, and MA.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Can't say as I blame him. I work hospice inpt, myself ... and there's exactly two games in town. Both are for-profit.

On the other hand, there are some world class programs here in ABQ. Heath Care for the Homeless and the UNM Cancer Center to name two.

It's a mixed bag for sure.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Well, to defend Santa Fe, (if you aren't into the whole artsy/craftsy/high on the hog living as I am definitely not), as a small town it ain't so bad.. horribly expensive though, but a good union at the hospital. Level 3 trauma center.

My kids homeschooled (ditto the really lousy school system compared to what I grew up with); did Little League, soccer, hs ski lessons, Scouts, band/symphony, private music lessons from some excellent professional musicians, youth group, plenty of close places to go to canoe, raft, camp, hike for an afternoon, backpack, skating rink, lots of cultures. Got a good rodeo every summer. Semi pro hockey games sometimes. Parades and Fiestas in the fall. Spanish and Indian markets (famous competitions). Highly esteemed opera. Not to mention lots of people will come to visit you because oh, you live in Santa Fe? :lol2::lol2: My mom gets that a lot from her friends (you get to go where?!)

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