akfnp

My son went to Mt Edgecomb HS in Sitka and we visited a few times. It is a BEAUTIFUL place. The people at SEARC are great. (I'm an FNP and work for another native cooperation so have had contact with many folks from that region) It can be pretty rainy, so goretex should be in your pack. (I mean hard downpores!) But when the sun comes out it is incredible. You'll love it! Will you have a vehicle? The "town" of Sitka is across the bay from the SEARC facility, so you will need some form of transportation, it can be walked..but I'd want a bike at least. There are no stores on the island where the school and SEARC is located. Good Luck!

We drove to AK with 3 kids and a dog in a suburban and pop up camper and ended up finding a cabin 60 miles north of Fairbanks and living for a year in pretty rustic environment...like an underground fridge, and and outhouse at 60 below zero can be interesting. But it was a wonderful experience and we all grew closer as a family. Two hours of daylight was fun too!(not!) we slept a lot, but then in the summer you are awake a lot, so maybe it evens out. The drive is better now with the roads paved, and the Milepost(mentioned in another response) is essential. You do need to be willing to ask and learn...and be willing to adjust and adapt. Anchorage is like any large city but a bit less hectic, I think. Palmer and Wasilla(the "Valley"..as in Matinuska valley)has a new hospital and is a fast growing suburb of Anchorage. Some hospitals have an internship program for new grads which I would strongly recommend. (check out Providence Hospital in Anch.) The climate in Anchorage seemed a lot like Maine to me. A bit more snow,and longer winter but lots of sun and nice days as well. Honestly, we loved it there and would be there still if not for grandbabies back in PA. We still go there to work for 6 months/year. I'm an NP and work in remote villages in the Aleutians.The "bush" generally refers to the parts of AK(most of the state)where you have to fly to in a "bush plane" or smaller type aircraft. Only about 1/5 of the state is connected by roads. I'd suggest some experence in the more populated areas first unless you are very adventurous! There are also nice hospitals in the southeast...Juneau, Sitka, Ketchican, but you get there by ferry....another whole story! Good Luck!