Where to go?

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, Neuro ICU, Trauma ICU,.

Hey allnurses!

Im an ICU RN w/ about 2 years experience and my husband and I are looking for a good place to put down some roots and start a family. We're game for just about anywhere as long as it satisfies "a few" requirements!

We currently live in Missouri but I cant deal w/ the climate and we're both bored. Unfortunately, I'm very, very happy w/ my job and the hospital I work at, makes it hard to move. I never have more than 2 pts at once, rarely get pulled, and the environment is friendly. Most of the docs are nice and take suggestion well. Pay isnt the best (between us both, we make about $70,000) but its enough to get by on here and I can have unlimited overtime.

Problem is that its too hot, too humid, not enough snow and not enough outdoor activities. You have to drive 2-3 hrs for any good canoeing/camping.

Please let me know of any towns where you love your hospital and can still afford a nice home that's not in the middle of a big city. Small cities/towns are good. We'd like to be able to afford a couple acres. He will be a rec. therapist soon but his degree will allow him to do just about anything in recreation.

We love the outdoors. We scuba dive, camp, canoe. I love the snow and mild summers. Mountains, lakes and/or ocean would be great- we're tired of rolling farmland, brown murky ponds, and the Big Muddy! Id prefer not to drive more than a half hour to work....and yes I know we're picky!

Any suggestions? Feel free to PM. Thanx!

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Come to the northwest suburbs of Chicago... it's nice here...

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, PACU, Travel nursing.

Have you thought about the Reno, NV area? I took 2 travel assignments out there and its near lake tahoe which is beautiful!! Lots of outdoor activities. There is skiing, camping, ect. The hospitals are very nice. I worked in 2 different ones in ICU and never had more than 2 patients, plus the staff says its good pay. Its a great area, you will have mountains, snow, outdoor recreation, but its not really extreme weather either. Its pretty mild compared to other areas, they seldom have blizzards I think.

Anyways good luck with whatever you decide:)

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Specializes in PICU/NICU.

I loved Colorado..... we lived halfway between CO Springs and Denver in Castle Rock... which was a great town!(we moved back west because of family, otherwise we'd still be there) If you love the out doors, you will LOVE it! We get a few snow storms in the winter, but the climate is quite warmer than you think and it is ALWAYS sunny! Now, there is not quite the nursing shortage that you see in other states, but working adult ICU, I don't think you would have any trouble getting a job.

Good luck!

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Specializes in MICU.

there are alot of smaller towns around pittsburgh pa with tons of lakes and areas of outside rec. plus tons of hospitals in the city

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Specializes in EMS~ ALS.../...Bartending ~ Psych :).

VIRGINIA.....

Culperer, Fredericksburg, Charlottsville, All smaller towns 25-75 miles south of DC you have the Mts to the west, for skiing, camping, and the ocean to the East. Amusment park in Richmond. Tons of history close by, from Pocahantas,(sp?) to civil war, to presidential homes. Skyline drive is breathtaking in the fall.

These are all clean safe areas, friendly people, great schools, and colleges, and activities are close by, you experience all 4 season. And if you decide you want a big city DC is not to far away, and its a great place to visit. Arlington, and countless museums, a fantastic zoo that was free when I lived there, not sure if it still is.

WOW this is making me homesick..........:(

Good luck to you

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

You should go to Spokane, WA. It's about 4 1/2 hours east of Seattle, almost over into Idaho. I grew up in Seattle and my mom and sister live in Spokane now. When I go to visit, I wish I lived there too. It's a pretty small town, only takes 10 minutes to get from one side to the other, but has a nice downtown and some things to do. There are lots of parks, like Manito Park and Gardens, and a lot of other outdoor activities. It snows quite a bit in the winter, and summers can get in the 90's, but there is no humidity so it feels really nice. Sacred Heart is the big hospital there and I've never worked there but have heard really good things about it. Mount Rainier is pretty close for skiing. There's a few lakes including Liberty Lake (pretty small, but beautiful) and Lake Couer d'alene, which is in Idaho. It's absolutely gorgeous there. It's still pretty reasonable in Spokane, especially compared to Seattle, but housing prices go up fast in Washington, so it's a good opportunity to make equity on a house. Oh, and it's only 5 hours to the ocean. Not too bad for a weekend trip. Check out the Oregon Coast, it's so nice there. If you don't want to go all the way to the west coast, you should try Colorado. It's really beautiful there too. Can't think of anything else. I hope you find what you're looking for.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Minneapolis

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