Nursing in Prince Albert, SK

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hey guys! I was just recently hired to become a nurse in Price Albert, SK last month. Apparently, my papers is still in process. I wonder what kind of life and career awaits me in this place. I have no either relatives or friends there and so your shared information will be very much appreciated. these might help me come prepared with regards to the the necessary adjustments that i need to undertake. How's the weather, pay rate and living conditions in this area? Thanks so much in advance and I hope someone can help me with this querry.

God Bless you all!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Prince Albert... the town where my grandmother was born. Hmmm. It's very cold there in the winter and temperate (not hot) in the summer. The wind blows pretty much all the time. It's flat. Very flat. With a fairly wide (in relative terms) river flowing through the middle of it. The population is about 35,000. Cost of living is average for Saskatchewan. You can find out about wages and benefits by going to the sticky at the top of this forum and looking at the cross-country comparison. For more information and some photos, check out these sites:

http://www.citypa.ca/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Albert,_Saskatchewan

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Make sure you have a winter coat.

Not one of Saskatchewan's nicer cities, that's for sure.

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how do you say that? can you please enlighten me, i got anxious with your opinion

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Howdy!! I grew up In Prince Albert, better known as PA. Parents now live in Saskatoon--which is much nicer--- My parents left PA back in 2003. What can I say about PA, hmmmmmm without being to negative 1 of the biggest employers --the pulp mill---Closed down. When I grew up it was a much safer city. Now it isnt dangerous like many big cities, but there are some rough spots. Winters are cold, summers are hot with mosquito's,lol Spring and Fall are the best times of the year. One great thing about PA is that your close to many lakes. Great beaches, fishing, hunting. People are friendly. Overall its a nice small city,just not as safe as it was when I grew up (and I'm only 35,lol) Like many Northern areas, some cultures have it rougher than others,which leads to drinking, drugs and increased crime. But you will find that anywhere you go! Now would I want to go back and live in PA? NO!! lol Saskatoon yes. Saskatoon is probably the only city I would want to live in, unless i was on a farm.

I have been to the Philippines 3 times, with the Canadian Navy. I love Philippine people, such a friendly and hardy bunch. I dont think you will hate PA, as i said earlier, the people are friendly, and if you like outdoors stuff, you will do ok. Saskatoon is about a 1.5 hr car drive south. No clue on pay rates. I do belive the Sask nurses are in talks for a new contract. Both my sisters are RN's back in Canada, but now in Alberta and British Columbia, and I'm a student RN down here in the USA--I rather be in Canada,lol Best of luck, and if ya have any questions ask away. I still make it back to PA every year for a bit.

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Specializes in OR, ICU, Tele, Psych, LTC, Palliative.

Hi Germaine,

I've lived and worked in Saskatoon, have visited PA. As Flames said in the previous post, some cultures do have a harder time there and it is reflected in increased alcoholism, drugs and crime. I found it a fascinating mix of cultures though and will never forget meeting tribal chiefs at the bedside of a dying patient in the ICU. Or the healing circle that was held around the bed. I thought it was a great learning experience and was able to see a part of life through different eyes. Personally, I thought SK was a great place to live (well, I could have done without the -60 temps that one January!) Please become well acquainted with down parkas and moon boots!

Another charming part of living in SK that I really miss are the celestial phenomena - the northern lights! :yeah: I'd be driving home after the evening shift and there would be people parked alongside of the roads just watching. I had to cross a railroad siding to get to our small country town and occasionally there was a train waiting on the crossing to switch tracks. I'd turn off the lights and the motor and just watch the show! Better than being at a drive-in and didn't even miss the popcorn! Then there are the rainstorms - Ohmigoodness! Because the province is so flat you can see them coming from miles and miles away. There are places in SK from where you can see the curvature of the earth, so that will give you the scope of the amount of sky you can see. Just amazing. :yelclap: You also have to get used to the tilt of the sun - at most peeking over the horizon at 30 degrees during the winter. Sun goes down at 1600 and doesn't come up again till 1000. The summer is the opposite. And grasshoppers! The size of small dogs. Just huge!! The sun makes his presence at about 0300, and you can read on your porch outside without the light on till almost 2300. Ha!

I'm now in relatively tame Ontario near lake Erie. Love it, but miss the strangeness and uniqueness of SK. I thought it a wonderful experience.

All the best,

Sue

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Howdy!! I grew up In Prince Albert, better known as PA. Parents now live in Saskatoon--which is much nicer--- My parents left PA back in 2003. What can I say about PA, hmmmmmm without being to negative 1 of the biggest employers --the pulp mill---Closed down. When I grew up it was a much safer city. Now it isnt dangerous like many big cities, but there are some rough spots. Winters are cold, summers are hot with mosquito's,lol Spring and Fall are the best times of the year. One great thing about PA is that your close to many lakes. Great beaches, fishing, hunting. People are friendly. Overall its a nice small city,just not as safe as it was when I grew up (and I'm only 35,lol) Like many Northern areas, some cultures have it rougher than others,which leads to drinking, drugs and increased crime. But you will find that anywhere you go! Now would I want to go back and live in PA? NO!! lol Saskatoon yes. Saskatoon is probably the only city I would want to live in, unless i was on a farm.

I have been to the Philippines 3 times, with the Canadian Navy. I love Philippine people, such a friendly and hardy bunch. I dont think you will hate PA, as i said earlier, the people are friendly, and if you like outdoors stuff, you will do ok. Saskatoon is about a 1.5 hr car drive south. No clue on pay rates. I do belive the Sask nurses are in talks for a new contract. Both my sisters are RN's back in Canada, but now in Alberta and British Columbia, and I'm a student RN down here in the USA--I rather be in Canada,lol Best of luck, and if ya have any questions ask away. I still make it back to PA every year for a bit.

its good to know that you have been here to Phils for a couple of times. i am proud to say that Filipinos are very hospital and warm people.!!! but i guess life in overseas will definitely sweep our feet off most esp in dealing with diverse culture countries like canada. hope everything will turn out smoothly as i commence the adjustment phase of my new life and career.

to be precise, in my contract it states that ill be working in spiritwood, PA. are you familiar with this place. as i browsed on the net previously, i learned that this is a rural place that deals more with agricultural stuffs like wheats and grains. people here are far more less than PA city. what can you say about the safety and working condition here? are they in recession?

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Hi Germaine,

I've lived and worked in Saskatoon, have visited PA. As Flames said in the previous post, some cultures do have a harder time there and it is reflected in increased alcoholism, drugs and crime. I found it a fascinating mix of cultures though and will never forget meeting tribal chiefs at the bedside of a dying patient in the ICU. Or the healing circle that was held around the bed. I thought it was a great learning experience and was able to see a part of life through different eyes. Personally, I thought SK was a great place to live (well, I could have done without the -60 temps that one January!) Please become well acquainted with down parkas and moon boots!

Another charming part of living in SK that I really miss are the celestial phenomena - the northern lights! :yeah: I'd be driving home after the evening shift and there would be people parked alongside of the roads just watching. I had to cross a railroad siding to get to our small country town and occasionally there was a train waiting on the crossing to switch tracks. I'd turn off the lights and the motor and just watch the show! Better than being at a drive-in and didn't even miss the popcorn! Then there are the rainstorms - Ohmigoodness! Because the province is so flat you can see them coming from miles and miles away. There are places in SK from where you can see the curvature of the earth, so that will give you the scope of the amount of sky you can see. Just amazing. :yelclap: You also have to get used to the tilt of the sun - at most peeking over the horizon at 30 degrees during the winter. Sun goes down at 1600 and doesn't come up again till 1000. The summer is the opposite. And grasshoppers! The size of small dogs. Just huge!! The sun makes his presence at about 0300, and you can read on your porch outside without the light on till almost 2300. Ha!

I'm now in relatively tame Ontario near lake Erie. Love it, but miss the strangeness and uniqueness of SK. I thought it a wonderful experience.

All the best,

Sue

hi sue,

thanks so much for the bountiful info that you shared. it seems for me that ill be working with the land where the staffs of national geographic channel usually hang around to hit their job in research!!! lol! anyhow, im a bit anxius and curious of what kind of life awaits me there. can my husband easily find a job here coz he's inclined in manufacturing business and i wonder if factories in Spiritwood, PA do exists. sorry but no offense to other readers. its just that i learned how the ratio of land area to people living in this place and i found out that it was spacious with a bunches of land to fill. what's the popular job in PA? IT im in doubt but perhaps agriculture is more indemand right??? thanks again and best of regards!!

:bow:

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The biggest employer in PA was the Weyerhaeuser Pulp Mill, but thats closed (has been talk of reopening) And the the big employer is the federal/provincial jails!! There are 2 mens jails in the area, as well as one womens. No clue on manufacturing, I'm sure there is to some degree. Keep in mind Prince Albert is a small city, around 35,000, and ALL of Saskatchewan has a million.

http://www.citypa.ca/

http://www.patourism.ca/

Are you going to be buying a house or renting an apartment? Some areas of PA are much nicer (safer) than others. Carlton park area is nice, same with crescent heights. Right by the hospital (my grandma is in the LTC there, as she has Alzheimer's) is an Indian Reserve, so you might want to stay away from that!! There are apartments right near Vickers school that were nice at 1 time, not sure now, and not sure what type of apartment choices your going to have!! Renting a house may be another option.

lol,ya ur going to have a lot more space in SK then in the Philippines,lol and no jeepeneys! Loved my visits to the Philippines

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The biggest employer in PA was the Weyerhaeuser Pulp Mill, but thats closed (has been talk of reopening) And the the big employer is the federal/provincial jails!! There are 2 mens jails in the area, as well as one womens. No clue on manufacturing, I'm sure there is to some degree. Keep in mind Prince Albert is a small city, around 35,000, and ALL of Saskatchewan has a million.

http://www.citypa.ca/

http://www.patourism.ca/

Are you going to be buying a house or renting an apartment? Some areas of PA are much nicer (safer) than others. Carlton park area is nice, same with crescent heights. Right by the hospital (my grandma is in the LTC there, as she has Alzheimer's) is an Indian Reserve, so you might want to stay away from that!! There are apartments right near Vickers school that were nice at 1 time, not sure now, and not sure what type of apartment choices your going to have!! Renting a house may be another option.

lol,ya ur going to have a lot more space in SK then in the Philippines,lol and no jeepeneys! Loved my visits to the Philippines

hi! when i get there, during my initial 4 mos of stay I, together with my colleagues were granted a free accom. certainly i can save from that chances. after that i can probably rent an apartment but that all depends in the situation..

where in the phils have you been? i am from the northern part. have you visited our finest beaches here like boracay, palawan, bohol and so forth. hahaha! its good that you experience a jeepney ride, its great when you just want to roam around and save your pennies from huge sum petrol prices. how about tricycle? have you tried it?

by the way, the town i am assigned to work is in spiritwood. are you familiar with this spot? thanks again and best of regards!

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hi! when i get there, during my initial 4 mos of stay I, together with my colleagues were granted a free accom. certainly i can save from that chances. after that i can probably rent an apartment but that all depends in the situation..

where in the phils have you been? i am from the northern part. have you visited our finest beaches here like boracay, palawan, bohol and so forth. hahaha! its good that you experience a jeepney ride, its great when you just want to roam around and save your pennies from huge sum petrol prices. how about tricycle? have you tried it?

by the way, the town i am assigned to work is in spiritwood. are you familiar with this spot? thanks again and best of regards!

Yes I know Spiritwood, not well, but been there a few times. It is a nice SMALL farm town. Very slow, relaxing pace of lifestyle. Not a lot there in terms of shopping as I recall, one would have to goto Prince Albert, north battleford or Saskatoon for the bigger shopping malls.

http://tostos.sasktelwebsite.net/index.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritwood,_Saskatchewan

http://tostos.sasktelwebsite.net/business.html scroll down and near the bottom you will see a picture of the Spiritwood hospital!!

I have only visited Manilla, and really only stuck to that area. I really enjoyed my time there.

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