Relocation to Phoenix area

[nursegirl62]

after reading several of the most recentposts about the economy and job prospects in the greater phoenix area i'mstarting to worry a bit....but will tell a little about myself and see what youmight think about my hire ability.

i'm 50,american and was trained in the usa. my husband died in 2007 and so ithought it would be a good time to work and travel with my youngest child sopresently in australia. i have several years of ccu/icu experience, as well asa bit of ed. some management and at present i'm a "hospitalcoordinator" in a busy 130 bed hospital here in australia. hospital coordinatoris equivalent to house supervisor, or bed manager. so i do have jack of all tradesnursing knowledge.

i'm moving to the phoenix area, and frankly i would like a ccu/icu or edjob...i do have my ccrn certification but more than happy for a med/surgicalrole or even ltc . i actually previously have been a dns in aged cared. mostimportant is that i work!

so i'm inquiring as to just how bad is itin the area? there are jobs posted at the various hospitals so it appears thereare positions. does anyone have anyideas on pay scales for the area? does anyone know of a good nurse recruiter inthe area?

thanks, melanie

[serenity1]

The area is particularly bad for new grads and nurses with little experience. That being said, it just depends on where in the Phoenix area you are looking. I know it seems that there are always openings in ICU at my hospital. You sound like you have great experience. Send out some resumes and see what you get. I would make sure to have a job secured before moving here, though. Try Banner Health, Abrazo, and Catholic Health West. Good luck to you!!

[nursegirl62]

thank you for your reply serenity1 . i do appreciate it.

i’ve considered getting a job before relocating. i don’t have an az nursing license and according to the website, will be nearly impossible to get one until i’m in state due to the fingerprint requirement. though i might try and get it done via snail mail. i really do plan to move to the greater phoenix area one way or another as this is where i eventually want to retire to. my daughter will be attending asu. surely i will be able to find employment i have an excellent work history and references and know how to be persistent and proactive at job hunting. i’m not picky about shifts so surely i will find something. would really be interested in though in hearing what wages are for a rn in the area.

[ADAngel]

Good luck on the relocation. I would try Banner Health, my friend who is a RN works there and told me they're always hiring RNs. I hope your daughter has fun at ASU, I went there from 2006-2008. I suggest going to the downtown Phoenix campus. Housing is amazing and there are MANY opportunities since it is a smaller campus. I moved back to MI in 2008, so after graduating from the nursing program here, I will be re-locating back to AZ. My friend said that she can get me a recommendation at Banner; she really loves working there and I always hear great things from her. Again, best of luck! If you or your daughter want to know more about ASU, message me. I used to do campus tours and lived on campus as a RA, so I know quite a bit about the downtown Phoenix campus!