Work in Alaska?

Nice time of year to visit...end of the tourist season. Was it rainy and wet?

yeah...$120k is not going to go far in AK for housing

Hi guys, i'm planning to get a license in Alaska, I'm from California and just want to move to a state with a great start and avoid the awful smog pollution here. I've read this article saying Alaskan's are prioritized first before other applicants. Well it does make sense to me since their within the state. But would I really need to live there for a year before applying for a job?

Any feedback would be great.

I came to AK without an AK nursing license, started my job and got my license within one month of my move.

Some areas of AK do not have adequate access to health professionals who are educated and live in AK, so they seek staff from the lower 48 and use travelors (sp).

Thank you for the response tewdles, Would you say it's difficult to get a job in Alaska this year? I've read a couple of posts from people saying it's so difficult getting a job, but then i've spoken to couple of friends who live in Anchorage and they said it's not that hard if you try(i'm talking about retail jobs, and other non nursing jobs). I've been told that in order to work in hospitals I have to at least have 2 years experience or know someone inside. Would any of you recommend a hospital(s), outside big cities is alright, accepting new grads? Thank you guys in advance.

I came to AK without an AK nursing license, started my job and got my license within one month of my move.

Some areas of AK do not have adequate access to health professionals who are educated and live in AK, so they seek staff from the lower 48 and use travelors (sp).

I lived in the south when I got an Alaska license, it took a little time & I thought it was pretty expensive. My hospital seems to always have positions available, both nursing & non-nursing. I would not want to live in Anchorage, I prefer a smaller, gentler town:)

AK is not part of the compact agreement. I was able to get a temp license issued within 10 days of applying when I moved here last Fall, but it was expensive. I love it here so far. It's weird how your body adjusts to the weather (I grew up in the Deep South)! The people are incredibly hospitable. I will not say specifically where I live or who I work for in this forum, but I will say the pay compensates for the higher cost of living.

Oh my...zombie thread.

I will say the pay compensates for the higher cost of living.

*** I am happy you found that to be true. I looked into several jobs in AK. Anchorage and Bethel. I found the pay about 25% less than I make here in the upper midwest and the cost of living dramaticaly higher.

*** I am happy you found that to be true. I looked into several jobs in AK. Anchorage and Bethel. I found the pay about 25% less than I make here in the upper midwest and the cost of living dramaticaly higher.

Wow that's incredible! I think i am paid like royalty, and I find the cost of living to be much the same! Maybe cause I'm in a smaller town?!

Wow that's incredible! I think i am paid like royalty, and I find the cost of living to be much the same! Maybe cause I'm in a smaller town?!

While I only interviewed for two positions I did an extensive search for jobs and pay rates in AK. This was about 2 years ago. I didn't find any place in AK paying more than $80-90K for experienced RNs. Most paid less.

Interesting, like another poster, I found the pay to be a 33% increase from where I was in the mid-west. But the housing here is much more expensive than what we had in the mid-west. For what I paid for my house in the city, I could be living on waterfront property with my boat tied to my dock. Oh well.

"Fairbanks can easily get -60 below during the winter"

Just scratched Fairbanks off my list of places to work after School. I'm a skier and rock climber, and even -30 is beyond brutal and tolerable. But -60? They couldnt pay me enough! Anyone working there should get AT LEAST $100/hr!!!!!