Moving to Guam

suzanne4, RN · Sep 3, 2004

I would definitely suggest going over there first to see it before deciding to move.

:balloons:

They have major flooding each year with much damage during the typhoon season, and major areas of the island get wiped out.

silverangle · Sep 3, 2004

Thank you for the tip. Did you live over there?

suzanne4, RN · Sep 4, 2004

No, but many of my students went there to take their NCLEX exam, either there or in Saipan, and they said it was quite poor, and they are from Thailand. Many problems with the infrastructure there.

I would definitely suggest checking it out first before making the big move, unless you have a very specific reason that you have to go there.

Good luck............... :balloons:

OriginalWmn · Oct 20, 2004

I looked into going there. Many of my military friends had been there. Evidently power can go out for weeks at a time. Third worldish conditions. But you may not care about that. I just didn't want to make a 2 year committment when I wasn't sure if I could handle the conditions.

Definately would make a visit first.

ena329 · Jun 27, 2008

Hey silverangle! I was wondering if you did happen to move to Guam? If you did, could you give me a heads up about the working conditions there? As well, as housing, basic salary for entry level RN and which hospital or clinic offers the best work benefits and facilities for civilian nurses. And if any one else fits the bill then please do reply...It will be GREATLY appreciated, as I'm moving there soon because of my family. I've had very little information about this situation even from other sites and its very disheartening when people vaguely comment. It just shows their not locals! I'm really hoping someone out there could enlighten me in facts the real score...THANKS A LOT!

suzanne4, RN · Jun 27, 2008

The above thread is almost four years old. So you may not see more from the posters above.

Do you actually have a visa that will permit you to work there? Moving there does not give one automatic approval to work there.

All you need to do is take the time to do a Google search and you will come up with much information about what is going on there now. It is not going to be anything like working in the mainland of the US if that is what you are thinking, as well as salaries are not going to be anything like they are here. Cost of living is much different there as well as if you want to work, then you are going to accept whatever they offer, there is no real competition when it comes to salaries there as well.

And do you have experience and have you taken and passed the NCLEX exam? That is also going to make a difference for you as well.

ena329 · Jun 29, 2008

Hello! Thanks a lot for the reply...I've googled this issue numerous times but unfortunately all I've encountered are comments that are quite old and grim. I've read news articles about the economy in Guam and although there may be some bad comments I don't think it's a one size fits all shoe. There are many factors that could make an area unfruitful. In my case I have to settle there for a while till my husband finishes his training. I need all the information I can get from a reliable source, because I plan to make the best of my stay in Guam. I guess it's the optimist in me that chooses to see a situation for its silver lining... Besides, I prefer not to believe all the hoopla unless its from a Guam local and an RN at that.

To answer your question, I just graduated last 2006 and I have less than a year of working experience as an RN. I've passed my NCLEX and IELTS already and my visa is an immigrant one. Our lawyer has assured me that I will be able to work once I'm there. I know that life in Guam is very different from the main land. I have no qualms about it, although I want to prepare myself. If you could help me, I just need to talk to a working Guam RN! Please help..THANKS!

suzanne4, RN · Jun 30, 2008

There are only a couple that post here that are working there and they describe things as I have done. No matter how silver you think that the lining is going to be there, it is not. They lose power quite frequently and internet access there is limited for most as well. And this is in both Saipan as well as Guam. More post here working in Saipan as it is much harder for most to get a visa to work in Guam.

All you need to do is use Google and do a search, you will find many current articles about what things are like there.

pangu · Dec 12, 2008

So, Silverangel, did you ever move to Guam? Are you working at GMH?? Or have they completely frightened you out of it? It's really not all that bad... though, i would say going as a traveler is your best bet! (you will need to produce a visa to work for a US travel company.) The compensation is better that way, and your contract is limited in case you hate it.

kaliRN · Apr 26, 2012

I just wanted to state that I find this thread even at old as it is a tremendous source of misinformation. While I believe any person moving to a new location should visit before moving and creating a life and career there, Guam is a US Territory and there are no tremendous infrastructure issues. Google searching for articles written by people who have never set foot on the island is no more accurate then other people who have posted here and never seen the island. Saipan is a lovely place, but it is NOT one and the same with Guam. Let me give you the truth in what has been stated here. Guam, much like the Philippines, does experience typhoons and some have been extremely devastating to the island. Causing massive property damage and loss of electricity and even water for some time after the devastation. It's tragic, but keep in mind these are storms much larger than Hurricane Katrina and there is no loss of life. In 1993, an earthquake estimated at 8.0 occurred, not a single life was lost, and only one building (an uninhabited hotel) had enough structural damage to have to be red tagged and subsequently destroyed. Think of the tragic earthquakes on the mainland and overseas in the 6.5-7.0 range. This is for two primary reasons. The first is location, Guam is above the Marianas Trench, the deepest area of the Pacific Ocean, so there was some difference in the manner in which the tremors occurred. Second because of our constant typhoons, almost all homes are built with deep foundations and made of concrete. Unlike some of the Gulf Coast, where rebuilding must occur post hurricane, these home withstand large amounts of weather. It is possible that the poster spoke to nurses in the aftermath of a particularly devastating typhoon (this is not an annual occurrence - never once was my home or any of my family members flooded).

I am posting because I honestly felt disrespected. I was born in California, lived on Guam for approximately 10 years, it is home in my heart. If you want to discuss some of the issues at GMH, I would be happy to PM anyone who searches and find this post, it is far from the ideal hospital. However, I do not want this post to go unanswered when there are so few on this site about Guam. I have been to underdeveloped countries, Guam is not underdeveloped. Is may not be up to par with certain standards, but the military members I have spoken to often remember this fondly, people - things - are simpler - slower. If you ever been outside of Waikiki in the areas of Hawaii where just the locals are - you may know what I mean. But that's why you should visit - everyone speaks English - so it would be an easy visit to make. I hope this helps anyone reading this post even though I am sure the OP long ago made a decision. So much information is dispelled about Guam, about snakes running rampant (not true - not even close - I assure you many of who lived there their whole lives have never even seen one). Guam is sort of mysterious to some, this tiny little island out there in the South Pacific, a U.S. Territory. It's like many things that people never get to experience, it's rumored about, but poorly understood. Thank you for reading my vent

slf974 · Apr 27, 2012

Hi KaliRN,

I'd like to ask you a few questions, but I'm not sure how to PM. Can you PM me or email me at [email protected]? My husband and I are interested in moving to Guam- he's a teacher and I'm a nurse.

Thanks so much! :)