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Is there a big demand for nurses on Indian reservation?

Will they accept NON native american applicants?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

hello sassychris,

it all depends upon the tribe and even the clans. yes, some will accept with open arms, the nurse who is not nai. you would just need to check around. unfortunately, in my tribe/clan, they are not so open to accept those other than nai. i've worked to try and change that. still needs lots of work, too.

we need you.

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Specializes in med-surg.

I've worked with a LOT of NA's and, for the most part, LOVE IT! However, most of the other RN's with whom I work only consider these patients "frequent fliers". I would LOVE to work in the brand new reservation hospital just south of me, but it appears they never have any openings! It also appears that they have no acute care units, since they send those patients to MY hospital!

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How much do they pay?

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Specializes in med-surg.

I have no idea.....

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I suppose it depends on what state you live in. I am in AZ, am not Native American and was hired on the spot at my interview at an IHS hospital. The nursing shortage is so bad that although they prefer Native American applicants, they'll take anybody.

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Specializes in Med/surg, oncology,pulmonary.

Where in Arizona are you located. If you please? I just decided after 18 years of med/surg. to do some travel. I am not native American either. But have great compasion for others regardless. Love being a nurse. I wrote a Reservation there in AZ. As I was interested in maybe working with them. Do you like it? What did you have to do to get licensed? Did you have to wait very long? Thanks!!:thankya:

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Where in Arizona are you located. If you please? I just decided after 18 years of med/surg. to do some travel. I am not native American either. But have great compasion for others regardless. Love being a nurse. I wrote a Reservation there in AZ. As I was interested in maybe working with them. Do you like it? What did you have to do to get licensed? Did you have to wait very long? Thanks!!:thankya:

You only need one valid RN license in any state to work in a federal facility, ie IHS. You could try first working as a traveler -- or contract nurse, as they are called in IHS -- to get a feel for the facility, to try it out, before applying for a permanent position. A few travelers at the facility I just finished a contract with decided to stay; it wasn't a problem with their agencies, apparently. You might want to work contracts at a few of them until you find one that's a good fit.

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A former coworker who is part Cherokee and looks it went to work in a Navajo hospital in the southwest and had a terrrible time. She had people tell her they "wanted a Navajo nurse" and were very rejecting. She didn't stay long.

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I worked on an Apache res in AZ for 6 mos, and was the only non-Native American on the unit. Overall, it was a very positive experience.

I'm a Swede- not a drop of Indian blood in me. I did enjoy going to a pow-wow, and experiencing some of the culture.

I am a traveler and was not employed by IHS.

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