South Georgia RN Questions

Raineylane · Sep 9, 2011

I was born at Phoebe! Lived in Albany, most of my life. Albany is a weird town. The town mostly thrives on retail and Phoebe. It is a strange little oasis of business way off the beaten path. It's strange to drive "to" Albany through all of the countryside, which ends up in a metropolis.

The celebrity chef, Paula Deen is from there.

I liked living there, but I hear it is now expensive and has a lot of gang activity. Most residents moved from Albany out to Lee County, which, I hear is safer to raise a family, but the prices are higher, for that same reason.

Phoebe has grown tremendously since I moved away. They now have satelite locations in surrounding towns. They just added another location about 30 miles from me.

I have no idea what they are paying or what the working conditions are. I know that the building has been refurbished and added on to.

I would be interested in hearing what you find when you get there. I would consider moving back there, or closer to there, myself, after school, if there was a job.

Be sure to bring gnat spray! Gnats are AWFUL down here. They swarm and BITE! They get stuck in your teeth and, and lip gloss, up your nose and down your throat. They get in your eyes, too.

We have palmetto bugs (GIANT ROACHES) down here that fly and bite. They are easily as long as your index finger and bigger around.

Not trying to scare ya, just giving you the bad with the good. We all learn to deal with it.

lovemorehateless · Sep 9, 2011

Hahaha! You are too funny!!!

Thank you though, really... any information is helpful! From what I've learned online, it does look like there is a lot of crime, and that's the only thing that is kind of bothering me. I did find Lee County to be a nice place, and probably where I would look for a house if I do end up getting and accepting the job. I start my venture down there next week, & I'll be sure to let you know how my experience was.

Thank you again for your information :)

Raineylane · Sep 9, 2011

It's interesting that you are considering moving here from Texas. My brother lives and has lived in Texas most of his adult life. He too, is in nursing school, now, in TX. He keeps trying to talk me into to moving there and go to school with him.

From what he has told me, after living in TX, he said he would never move back to Ga. Said there was a huge cultural difference.

I don't know, I've always lived in Ga. so I have nothing to base it on.

Well, good luck. Hope you get the job and hope you like it here. Be sure to come back tell me what you think. You won't offend me. I moved AWAY from there!

Raineylane · Sep 9, 2011

One more thing and I'll leave you alone. I mentioned that Phoebe has satelite locations. I don't know if they might be considering you for a job at one of those satelites. I also mentioned that they were opening a new one 30 miles from me, in Fitzgerald, GA.

If they will be sending you there, I would highly recommend that you go the Fitzgerald before you agree. It is an old, run down town. They have wild chickens running through the streets. They have a Wild Chicken Festival every year, I kid you not!

I have relatives that live there, but I wouldn't want to. If that is the case, I would suggest you "reside" in Tifton, a few miles down the road from there.

lovemorehateless · Sep 9, 2011

I'm pretty sure the position would be at Phoebe in Albany. But I'll make sure that I find out for sure, thanks

Also, about the Texas thing. Texas is a GREAT place to be. I've lived here for 5 years now and I absolutely love it! However, it is a tough time for new-graduates, especially Associate degree new-grads, in the Houston area. There has been a high influx of nurses moving here from out of state because of the economy... and there are a LOT of nursing schools here producing lots of new grad nurses begging for jobs. Hospitals are getting hundreds of applicants for their new grad programs, and only accepting around 30 of them. That's why I'm applying all over the U.S. Even if I did get a job here, which I probably would...... eventually... It would probably not be in the area that I REALLY want! Although I've never been to Albany, GA it IS my dream job & I'm willing to give it a chance :) & my Dad lives pretty close as well... So that's a plus!!!

Raineylane · Sep 9, 2011

Albany seems to be a nice town. I say "seems" because I moved away many years ago and have just recently been back there.

It has certainly grown since I was there. Lots of new construction and businesses. There is probably anything you'd ever want, food, entertainment, etc. Lots of retail. I have never witnessed any crime there, I'm just going by what I've been told. But, that's just about anywhere. I lived in Atlanta, which is supposed to have a high crime rate, but nothing ever happened to me there.

There are people I grew up with that still live there and wouldn't think of moving away, so I guess it's just a matter of perspective.

You'll probably like it.

Hey, just to give you an idea at how much it has changed, when I was little, the BIG thing to do in Albany was go to the airport on Sunday just to watch the ONE plane take off!

Sorry I can't give you any info on the employment end.

lovemorehateless · Sep 9, 2011

That's quite ok :) I really appreciate the info that you have given me!!!

SeeTheMoon · Sep 19, 2011

The crime rate in Albany has grown quite a bit the past few years and as stated, most of it is reported as gang related. But as rainey said, there are neighbouring towns/communities that are much safer and more family friendly. Plus, if you are ok with country living, there is plenty of that too. :)

The last I heard, Phoebe was paying new grads around $20-$21/hr with shift diff, etc. But that was about a year ago, not sure if that has changed. The good thing about Phoebe is that they are pretty state of the art, for south GA at least. I have known nurses who worked there that said they learned so much more working there, than other hospitals in our area. The bad thing, is they are THE medical power-that-be in this area. They own quite a few facilities around, which can be good (if you needed to move, etc.) but bad (if you wanted to get away from them.)

The pros I would say for the Albany area:

Phoebe is a great place to work from what I hear, very up to date and the most advanced south of Macon. (I hear the NICU is awesome. :) )

A decent sized town, w/ small town feel. (Sounds like a commercial, but its true. LOL)

Not very far from the gulf for nice beach vacations.

Not too far from Atlanta if you are in the need for more speed.

If ya'll are more the outdoor-sy type, it's definitely a good place.

Cons:

Crime rate, a little high.

School systems, not too good either. (If you are comfortable with it, there is a very nice Christian private school however, Sherwood Academy.)

Phoebe owns the world of medicine down here for the most part, so change would require decent travel distance.

Good luck to you whatever you decide!

lovemorehateless · Sep 21, 2011

Thank you all very much for your information. I made it back safely from my voyage to South Georgia

This is what I found: Albany was not as bad as I had imagined!!!! Yes, I did see some bad areas, and some "gangs" walking around... but there were also some very nice areas! I could definitely see myself living there :) I didn't get to voyage out into the neighboring 'hoods but I'm sure if I do end up moving there, I would find a house a little outside of Albany. I thought everyone was very nice also. There was definitely that 'southern comfort' feeling, most of the places we went.

Now for Phoebe: I loved it! My interview went great, the ladies that interviewed me were SO VERY nice!!!! AHHHH I just want this job so bad. I didn't tour the hospital or anything, but from what I saw, & heard, it definitely is the state-of-the-art hospital for South Georgia.

I can't think of anything else right now, but if I do I'll let y'all know :)

SeeTheMoon · Sep 24, 2011

Lovemore, that is awesome! Do keep us posted. :)