new grad looking to move to Tucson?

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Hello all,

I will be taking my NCLEX exam soon in KY, or OH (I live near Cincinnati), but am thinking of moving to Tucson in Summer/Fall '08. As a new grad, can I do this? What is involved in getting my license in AZ? Any help is appreciated.

Nursing is a second career for me, I'm in my 40's and my mother-in-law lives in Tucson with my only brother-in-law. Both are in poor health but refuse to move. I'm tired of worrying about them (and the cold winters in KY) so-o-o I'm thinking it would be good for me to make a move. We've lived in Tucson for a couple of years many years ago and loved it. Any help you can give is appreciated.

tc

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Tucson can be a very rough place for a nurse depending on the hospital IMHO. You can go there as a new grad and you should not have a problem obtaining an AZ license. Check out the AZ BON for information on AZ licensure. As I remember, AZ offers a 4 year license. In addition AZ is part of the multistate compact.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.

what are some of the reasons you feel moving to AZ may be hard for new grad. my first thought would be language issues....

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Specializes in Cardiac.
Tucson can be a very rough place for a nurse depending on the hospital IMHO..

How so? I sure didn't think so....

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Perhaps some of the hospitals are ok, I have taken many patients to Tuscon and the hospitals were in complete chaos, many of the nurses were not exactly happy. One of my best friends worked in Tuscon for a few years and he had horrid experiences. Many of the problems were related to workplace violence. Again, this is IMHO.

Language is an issue; however, you will find that picking up a few key spanish phrases and words will really help. You learn really quick what pain, yes, no, chest, lungs, diabetes, and other key medical phrases and words are in spanish.

Cardiac, I take it you work or have worked in the area?

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Lived here all my life, and have been working in these hospitals for 13 years.

As a new grad (or any nurse) jobs are plentiful and easy to get. Days, ICU, ED, PACU, whatever position you want.

Gila-I bet I can guess which hospital your friend worked at. I don't think that choas or unhappiness is specific to the Tucson locale however...

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Arizona is a compact state, but if you move your legal residence from the existing state to move there, then it will cease to exist.

And if you move to AZ and get a license there after you move, then the Compact will remain valid but only as long as you maintain your legal residence there, if you move; then your AZ license will still remain valid for working in that state, but the Compact License pact will become null and void.

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I also have lived and worked there and never had any issues with the facilities. The need to know Spanish there is not any different than needing it in Phoenix, San Diego, or any other areas. The poplulation is growing and shifting.

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Cardiac, ok, it seems like the hospital in question has a reputation. Again, these are the observations of a 505er, so I guess you need to take that into consideration. ;) Well, a 575er now.

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Thanks for the comments from everyone. I find it very helpful to hear from those who have worked in Tucson. I know a little Spanish, but not anyone to practice with back here. I've been to the AZ BON website, but didn't find the info I needed. I did jot their number down so I could call them after the holidays.

Any recommendations on good places to work for a new grad? I don't really care what area I get into at this point. (It's all new to me, and anything is good experience.)

TC

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Specializes in Med/Surg and Wound Care, PACU.

i did not have any problems while working in tucson, the people are usually very friendly and the weather is nice

i say go for it, there are plenty of jobs out there

i would consider going to the university hospital,

coming from somebody that moved to the us from germany

:welcome:

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Any recommendations on good places to work for a new grad? I don't really care what area I get into at this point. (It's all new to me, and anything is good experience.)

TC

Actually, it really matters what specialty it is that you want to work in. Even the worst hospital in town has at least one good unit.

So if you give us a specialty, and even a general location as to where you will be living, I can give you a recommendation.

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