nurseman81

Thanks for replying! I initially worked neuro/telex back in Washington (didn't care for it) and moved here to Honolulu. Did two years in high acuity tele oncology and took an ICU class and have been in ICU since around October. Would be open to staying in ICU but also open to returning to tele or med surg. I'm originally from Olympia and have spent a lot of time in Portland and love it. I know some of the hospitals offer relocation but wasn't sure if that was still the case in Portland. Are there any facilities or units I should avoid?

Hey all! I am considering relocating from Honolulu to Portland and wanted some input on the hospitals there. Which of the local hospitals in the city pay the best and which would you recommend working at? Options are very limited here in Hawaii and there seem to be several facilities in the Portland area. Thanks!

Yah, it is expensive. I pay 1625 for a one bedroom condo in Waikiki - although I have a dog and my options are limited. Waikiki wasn't my first choice.

I got mine the day after the state verified my Washington license.

Don't let some of these people detract you. I moved to Honolulu from near Seattle in February and work at a major hospital here. They paid me a 5K relocation allowance and put me up in a 4 star hotel for 30 days in order for me to get housing. I started out at a base of 49.10 per hour plus differential during my probationary period and have increased to 54.55 plus differential. It it is completely possible to love here and be comfortable. Everything has advantages and drawbacks. Oahu is a crowded island of almost a million people; it can be a challenge to find housing but not impossible. Moving here is entirely doable. some nurses work a full time and a part time/per diem job to make things comfortable.

Here is the bit... the HR rep at HPH (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME - PLEASE DO NOT POST NAMES OF THOSE IN YOUR PROGRAM PER TOS) was effusively polite and pleasant. After I passed the competency exams she called me and let me know she forwarded my information to the hiring manager. Before she did this she made a point to say that HPH does not offer any relocation or housing assistance for new employees. After I had interviewed at QMC I got a few calls from managers. Told them I had accepted another facility's offer. Don't give up on QMC... so far I have been very impressed. I arrive on island on Thursday and start on 3/2.

I accepted a position at QMC - they did offer the relocation as well as 30 days of housing. Pay is quite good, as well. Excited to start.

I sent my application with a check and they received it on 4 November and my license was activated 5 November.

Hey all - I am relocating to the islands and have had interviews at both HPH and QMC. I already have Hawaii licensure. When I look online for pay there is a large range that I have found. The Queens website doesn't show their pay but some have said it's around 50/hr. I'm trying to have a bit of knowledge about the pay rates before I get an offer. Also - I know HPH doesn't offer relocation assistance.... does QMC? I have 11 years total nursing experience - 6 years as a CNA, 4 as a LPN and 15 months as a RN with a BSN. Graduated Magna Cum Laude. ACLS. Thanks!

HERE IS SOME ADVICE ... Worked for Axis for over a year at a local contracted facility. From day one, I had difficulty getting a hold of my recruiter, not receiving my schedule in a timely manner and getting a run-around from the office staff. To top it off, I found out from the contracted facility that Axis no longer had rights to work there. Many of Axis' staff have attempted to reach them prior to the end of their contract only to not receive any response. To this day, the CEO of the Seattle office has neglected to follow up or inform the staff of the situation. Axis has now lost several loyal staff members. Beware.

Trust me - I thought I had failed. I had been up since four am, got to the testing center a half hour early, started the test, had a power outage .... I was SURE I had failed. Just goes to show that if you know it, you may do it subconsciously. I know I went home right after the test and studied endocrine - because I figured I'd have to retest.

I've been working 12 hour night shifts on tele (Fr, Sat, Sun and an 8 every other Mo) and for four years. I really do enjoy this as it gives me more time off, more differential and away from management - which in my mind, is a plus. I try and avoid coffee as much as I can and chug two litres of water each shift. Keeps ya peeing and awake. :)

I really don't know how to advise you on the test. I bought PearsonVue's study manual and studied at least 100 questions a day. Even if I didn't know the answer, I would study the rationale and memorize it. I was weak on L/D and ironically only got one question on the NCLEX. My recommendation would be to do as many SATA as you can and practice answering it correctly. Good luck!

Just to update ya'll.... I found out I passed! Got my results early this morning and am waiting for the state to issue my LPN. It does work! I finished my NCLEX at 85 questions in 45 minutes (including a power outage.) Thought I bombed it!

I passed!!!!