Questions about traveling to alaska

NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2006

I am a travel nurse currantly on assignment in San Francisco. I want to do an assignment in Alaska. I believe my agency could find me a job. Can I take my car? What is the best way to get there? I would probably look for an assignment in Anchorage or Fairbanks. Maybe Sitka. I'd like to go this summer. If I do take my car, is it hard or dangerous to drive large distances by myself. How about in the winter? Are there any companies that offer a rental car? My agency does not. Any companies offer help with licensure fees? I would appreciate any input.

OMG I so wanted to say the best way to get there by car would be a road but I had to hold back....LOLLL Sorry your questions just struck my funny bone.

Many nurses travel cross country. I'd set up a good itinerary (sp) and try to stick to it. Don't push yourself. Make it so you can call someone every day or evening or both so they know where you are and that you are alright.

I don't know how much coverage you will have with a cell phone up through western Canada. I know a young lady who traveled from Maine to Anchorage with two friends. She had just graduated from teacher's college and went there to teach.. How novel.. OMG I crack myself up tonight..

Sorry it's late and I'm silly.. Too much sugar I guess.

I've been to Alaska twice, on vacation, and I didn't much care for Fairbanks. But that is just my opinion.

Rightalong · Mar 6, 2006

Ha Ha..Thanks for writing. I meant driving around alaska. If I drive to Alaska I would probably go with a friend or sister. I do not mind driving long distances though. I have already driven cross country twice myself. I am from NJ. Someone told me that they put there car on a ferry. It sounds expensive. I've also read that driving say between Anchorage and Fairbanks could be dangerous (people disappear). That's what I heard.

Misty1 · Mar 6, 2006

let me know what you find out. I'd like to go to alaska also. I found an agency that would pay for my liecense (which is about $400.00) and only 800 dollar travel pay.

My big obsticle is I have 2 big dogs I won't leave behind.

alaskalala · Mar 6, 2006

Rightalong,

I'm only pre-nursing student, so I can't help you with the agency questions, but I have lived in Alaska for almost 20 years, so I think I can contribute to your other questions.

You can drive up to Bellingham, Washington, and get on a ferry with your car there. The ferry will stop in Sitka, so if you work there, there you are. You do know it's an island, right? Meaning, if you work there you will need to fly to other parts of Alaska, and rent a car, unless you want to drag your car back and forth on the ferry.

To get to Anchorage, you would get off the ferry in Haines, then drive up through Canada and over and down through Alaska. The roads are fine, though jammed with RV's in the summer. In the winter, a bad storm can make some passes on the road scarey. Four-wheel drive and snow tires are a good idea.

Whoever told you about it being dangerous to drive around Alaska, "people disapearing" and such, doesn't know a thing about Alaska. That's just crazy talk! It is actually against the law to pass by an accident or someone stuck on the side of the road without offering assistance, honest to God, though only someone from the lower 48 would need a law to make them stop and help. I'd rather drive in Alaska than New Jersey any day (and I grew up in New Jersey so I can make a fair comparison). The only problem with driving in Alaska is you run out of road pretty fast.

I would recommend working in Sitka or Anchorage. Fairbanks is way too hot and smokey all summer (forest fires), way too cold in the winter, far from the ocean, and not very pretty. Sitka is a beautiful island in the rainforest. Anchorage is a big city on Cook Inlet, and if you like to drive, there are roads south to the Kenai Penninsula, north to the Alaska Range (Denali National Park etc.), east to the Wrangell-St. Elias Range.

For further information on the ferry look on the web for the "Alaska Marine Highway" site. If you have any other questions about Alaska, please feel free to ask. I love this place and would be happy to help another Jersey Girl come up and enjoy herself.

Alaskalala

pannie · Mar 6, 2006

I'm glad Alaskalala answered that. I couldn't imagine getting around without using the ferry system. But then, we've stayed mostly along the coastline, except for Fairbanks. We love Alaska but are out of there by late Sept.

Have you considered checking out the cruiselines? I know they have American RNs and MDs on all cruises. And there are a bajillion Alaskan cruises.

JRapha'sRN · Mar 6, 2006

If you are getting to Alaska from CA, I would also recommend the ferry system or a cruise. One of my friends found that he could do a cruise cheaper than driving up--check out the prices. I would bring your own car if you want to do a lot of exploring. The rental agencies restrict some of the roads (the Denali Hwy and McCarthy Road being two of the ones I know of) due to the "unmaintained" status. I worked in Alaska for 3 years--it is so beautiful! You should go! Make sure to get enough time off to go to Denali (the national park where mt. Denali/McKinley is) and take a day cruise to see the water-wildlife (if you don't take the ferry or cruise up.) When you look at a map of AK remember that it is that Texas could fit at least twice into the area of AK. People forget to look at the scale of the map and think that because the road from anchorage to Fairbanks is 2 inches (or whatever) it is close... Get the "Milepost" guide book. it is the best guide book for AK, telling you what the roads are like and what to see--per milepost. Alaskans refer to places by the mile i.e., "mile 165 on the Glenn" They also don't refer to the # of the hwy, but refer to their names (since there are only 3-4 highways it is easy to learn) such as the Glenn, Richardson, Denali, Parks etc. The Milepost should help you sort this out. Have a lot of fun! You will never regret it!

housemomma · Mar 10, 2006

We were told that Sitka provides housing and that spouses arent allowed ?? IS this right??