Nursing in Arizona

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I just got offered a job in Phoenix, Arizona and before I accept it I'd like to know a little bit about the area and what nursing is like there. I'm coming from the UK and I've never been to Arizona before so I just have no idea what to expect. Could some of you maybe answer these questions?

What's the weather like during winter?

How much is an average wage for an experienced ICU nurse?

What kind of area is Phoenix like?

What area should I look for an apartment if I work in Phoenix, and how much should I expect to pay for either a room in a shared house or a studio/1 bed apartment?

What is there to do in Arizona? I'm keen on mountain biking, horseriding and working out.

If I work in Phoenix do I need to have a car?

Are there any recommended hospitals in Phoenix or ones to avoid?

Any help is much appreciated! It's between Arizona and Georgia at the moment and I need to decide before next week.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

lived in the PHX area 8 years. LOVED the winters (if you can drive around the snowbirds) and HATED the summers during monsoon season (hence the humidity you felt, brownie).....

duststorms and oftentimes violent lightning/rain storms in july-sept some afternoons were something alright. and when the sun came back out----eeeeuck......115 and humid is not fun.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Thank you everyone! $300 from Arizona to Hartford is great! Better than I had hoped for. I don't mind spending that once a month. Shame about the layover though. Brownms...thanks for the Ikea link. I'm happy if I can order online...excellent! Ikea is my favorite store in London and it's perfect to get cheap temporary furniture that still looks great and is functional. I absolutely have to see the Grand Canyon. That has to be one of the must do things on my Life list! And it looks like I'll finally get to see Celine Dion in Las Vegas too! jnette...loved that link..thankyou. Awesome pictures of that cactus! I love them...I have a little tiny cactus in a pot here in London...I think I'll have to donate it to my Mum when I move. It would feel too intimidated in Arizona. LOL.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

No ikea in AZ?

hmmmm

can't believe it.

thought they were all over.

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.

You're welcome Rocknurse, and I agree about IKEA! Also if you decide to check out Scottsdale to live, I used to live near downtown Scottsdale. The apts were expensive though, but they were really nice, and in walking distance of just about everything in the area.

There is a really nice, big mall there, and very plush! There is a outback steak house across the street, and only a couple of blocks from the CIVIC CENTER.

There is a Tony Roma two blocks away, and deli for subs and such, a dry cleaners, and the grocery store is right out the back gate. And there are several small shopping centers in the area, all in walking distance.

But you DO NOT want to walk in the summer, nor do you wish to ride the bus during the summer either!!! But there is lots to do in the area!

The apartments are called the San Marin. Their pricey, but on a year's lease they would be more than well worth it, as they usually had deals going. Excellent amenities, service, quality workmanship on interiors, and well mantained grounds! Very safe!! It looks exactly like the pics on the site. Here is a link:

http://www.springstreet.com/apartments/fyp/search/brochure/floorplan.jhtml?cPointer=0&pid=91&fid=504449

Good luck!

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

AND.......................... just so you don't miss all those wonderful, lushious European food items... (or any good FRESH, organic, and/or preservative free goodies)... the place to shop for groceries is Trader Joe's !!! VERY, VERY reasonable, fantastic selections and just a real delight ! ENJOY !!! :D

edited to add: They are all over Az. and the southwest and west in general ! Tucson is building their third or fourth store now...

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.

YESSSS Trader Joe's!!! Forgot about that!!!

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Rocknurse-

I just heard a few weeks ago that Tempe won the bid for a new Ikea store. It won't be open for another year or so, but we're getting one at last! Yippiee!!!

If you check out Southwest Airlines regularly you can find really great deals to fly to the east coast (and sometimes AmericaWest too). I am flying to Buffalo in a few weeks-- $99 each way (so around $215 RT with taxes) and non-stop. The flight is only around 4 hours with no layovers.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Great! I'm making notes here...Trader Joe's...I'll have to check that out. I only eat fresh food so that may be more useful than you realize! Thanks for the apartment complex link too. That really helps. I'm not looking for anything big...just a small studio with hopefully either a gym or pool or both. Anything up to $600 will be fine. Shame that Ikea aren't opening the store yet, but if I tell them I'm coming maybe they'll open it sooner, seeing as I'm their best customer and all! You're all very kind.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
Originally posted by Rocknurse

Great! I'm making notes here...Trader Joe's...I'll have to check that out. I only eat fresh food so that may be more useful than you realize! Thanks for the apartment complex link too. That really helps. I'm not looking for anything big...just a small studio with hopefully either a gym or pool or both. Anything up to $600 will be fine. Shame that Ikea aren't opening the store yet, but if I tell them I'm coming maybe they'll open it sooner, seeing as I'm their best customer and all! You're all very kind.

Also, Rock... Phoenix and Tucson have some FABULOUS second hand stores, as well as gazillions of thrift shops and Goodwill stores, where you can find just about ANYthing at really super prices ! I love to go rummaging around in these stores, I always find something I just HAVE to have !!! :D

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Rocknurse, can I ask you what hospital gave you the offer? I am just curious, and is this a travel nurse position?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

this thread has been great for me to read, I am a brit who is hoping to immigrate to Phoenix in approx 18 months, Have to pass NCLEX which I am hoping to take in Feb/Mar time, and then the long process of immigration starts. So thankyou for starting the thread Rocknurse and to everyone who replied.

Anna :kiss

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Mithrah, I've PMed you.

Silverdragon (Anna)...great to meet another nurse about to go through the process. If there is anything I can help you with please do contact me. I have my green card interview tomorrow at the embassy, so wish me luck! If all goes well I'll be leaving in 6 weeks. After all this time of waiting I can hardly believe this might actually happen!

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