Moving to the UP

[RNontheroad]

My husband and I are considering a move to the UP. My husband has family from that area, and we have always loved it when we visited. We are looking in the Marquette, Escanaba, Munising areas.

The biggest consideration is, of course, finding a job. I am an experienced ICU nurse who has been working as a traveler for the last 5 years, and I have done a variety of specialties. So, I guess I would consider myself fairly marketable.

Are the hospitals hiring? Any recommendations or which to avoid? What can I anticipate for a pay rate?

[Anne36, LPN]

Im right behind you as soon as I finish school. I have a step-sister who works in Houghton area hospital. I also have family up north and would love to move there. The only downside is that the pay is quite a bit lower than we are used to making in SE MI.

[C_perugiae]

I grew up in Marquette and most of my family still lives up there; in fact, I have three family members that work at the hospital in Mqt. For the most part, they really love their jobs and speak highly of their individual departments. Be aware, however, that it may take a long time for them to respond to your applications. I've been told that they hire slowly because they want to make sure you're the right fit, so it might take months to find a job at that facility. Then again, that extra time spent may be well worth the wait!

I can't speak for Munising because I know nothing about that hospital. I'm not going to add anything about Escanaba because, other than some very negative anecdotal evidence, I have nothing of substance there, either.

[yooperPN]

Not sure on what the pay rates are, but I went to school with a couple people who walked out of LPN school with jobs in Marquette General. I'm guessing they're always, in a way, hiring.

I live near Houghton (working at a county NH), so I could tell you more about my area specifically. Portage Health and Aspirus Keweenaw are hiring pretty often (they both have websites); but you have to be an RN to work in the hospital.