You know you're a nurse in Alaska when...

U.S.A. Alaska

Published

  • Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

thought this could be a fun topic and people could share their experiences about living and working in AK... for example

You go from being a new grad to charge nurse in three months.

Your hospital runs on generator power more often than not.

The patient you just triaged has a complaint of "fish finger"

A patient just brought you some smoked salmon.

The patient explains the reason they are late to their appointment because "well the plane crash landed in a village and we had to wait for another one to arrive".

Another reason to be late "we stopped to fish along the way"

tewdles, RN

3,156 Posts

Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

You know you are an Alaskan nurse when you keep a .44 in your nursing bag to protect yourself from the wolves, moose, and bears in your patients yard.

I just got a brand new shiny Smith and Wesson...should the holster be white or pink?

smilealot

90 Posts

Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Nice! I kinda like white.

PacesFerryBSN

55 Posts

Specializes in ICU, PROGRESSIVE CARE.

You all make me want to go to Alaska!

I second PacesFerry. I'm curious to see what's out there.

What's a "fish finger" anyway? (not the food)

aachavez

341 Posts

Im also curious what fish finger is....

Im looking at travel nursing, with a strong interest in AK (in Tampa now), Im excited!

amoLucia

7,736 Posts

Specializes in retired LTC.

Funny post - my sister worked in Maine. Had a lot of fish bites and/or fishing hook injuries there. Maybe that's the answer?

Nonetheless

344 Posts

At first I looked into Alaska as a last resort because the job market sucks where I am-- but this stuff sounds exciting.

I now find myself dreaming of the rugged Alaskan life (lol I probably sound completely ignorant about Alaska).

Who knows, I may end up in Alaska and fulfill my fantasy of being a super outdoorsy adventurer who sees cool things at the hospital as a nurse and saves lives.

You know you're an Alaskan nurse when the only way to see your patients for a home visit is by ferry or plane.

Or the trip includes a snow machine or four-wheeler, depending on the season.

ToniDaTyga

9 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg.

You know you're in Alaska when you are wearing a North Face jacket, a rabbit fur Mad Bomber hat, and Carhartt cold weather gloves in August.

toomuchbaloney

12,695 Posts

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Nah...in August we are still wearing shorts and flip flops, it rarely snows much before October below the arctic circle and below 7000 ft.

toomuchbaloney

12,695 Posts

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

As far as I am aware, "fish finger" is an infection secondary to handling fresh fish with bare hands

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