Moving to AK- Best hospital to work at? (Anchorage, Ketchikan: to live, transit)

[Takoda]

Originally Posted by SouthernLady

I filled out the online application with Matsu Regional for a clerical position. I live in Southern California right now and need to move in February.

My question is, do they take out of state applications seriously? Will they actually hire someone out of state without an interview first?

Hi, the answer to your question is no. It is tough to even get an interview coming from out of town. I have a great working history and masters degree, I placed my applications everywhere but until I moved and had an Alaskan address, I didnt receive one call.

My suggestion to you is to call, call, call and remind them that you are moving up there.

[z00]

I'm in California (and know very little about areas in AK or their hospitals) - but in my job searching I found a lot of postings for nurses in AK, some mention being "arctic circle" and "only by plane" - which sounds "remote" to me:

http://www.medhunters.com/customPage...dx8f13965.html


I personally wasn't looking for AK (the coooold ), but want to get my foot in the door for CLS. And it was the application to AK that came back. Phone interview coming up - and I'm back-and-forth between excitement and panic at the prospect. I've always wanted to visit... but living there.... that could be a rough transition.

[Rance]

You'll never know until you try it! Do yourself a favor and go for it! Besides...we need nurses!

[traveler907]

My advice would be to avoid Barrow like the plague - the hospital sucks there

[MeganAK]

If you are not from Alaska, I would seriously recommend trying one of the communities on the road system before jumping into a rural community. it was a tough transition to Nome from ANchorage, and we lived in Alaska for many years prior. Get yourself used to Alaska and hooked on all the state has to offer before moving to a rural area. I knew several nurses that drove into Mat-SU or ANchorage from Talkeetna, it was a LONG drive. They stayed in Anchorage for their shifts. From the Mat-su Hospital, though, it would be reasonable to live in Chickaloon, or even just outside of Palmer. You could also think about Southeast Alaska- Ketchikan, Sitka, etc. THere are many options, maybe TOO many. I would say get yourself a job and get up here, you can always move around once you are here and know better what you want.

[Siouxcia]

Isn't aurorawatcher a nurse? I seem to remember his posting something about his starting a job in Bethel (?) but then he posted things about paper work problems. PM him. He may have some insight into avoiding the paper work problems and/or setting up interviews. I may be wrong but I don't have the time to go back and check his posts.

[Siouxcia]

Originally Posted by MeganAK

If you are not from Alaska, I would seriously recommend trying one of the communities on the road system before jumping into a rural community. it was a tough transition to Nome from ANchorage, and we lived in Alaska for many years prior. Get yourself used to Alaska and hooked on all the state has to offer before moving to a rural area. I knew several nurses that drove into Mat-SU or ANchorage from Talkeetna, it was a LONG drive. They stayed in Anchorage for their shifts. From the Mat-su Hospital, though, it would be reasonable to live in Chickaloon, or even just outside of Palmer. You could also think about Southeast Alaska- Ketchikan, Sitka, etc. THere are many options, maybe TOO many. I would say get yourself a job and get up here, you can always move around once you are here and know better what you want.

Good advice!

[akck]

Originally Posted by Siouxcia

Good advice!

Hey Siouxcia,

How's Angoon working out? I know island living can be a shock.

[Siouxcia]

Originally Posted by akck

Hey Siouxcia,

How's Angoon working out? I know island living can be a shock.

I posted some stuff in the Chat thread (#6484)but I like it here. The village is <500 but the clinic is new. I'm really impressed with the facilities. The exam rooms are a little small but well stocked and the two bay ER has everything I can use or need before shipping someone out if need be. The weather has been awesome so far. I'm told the number of clear skies is unusual but I'm enjoying them. The $5.23 cents for a loaf of bread is painful but my hips can do without for awhile. I won't be able to leave the island for three months but I think that will be ok. I haven't committed to six months yet but if I do, I'll be going home for a couple of weeks in March.

There's only three miles of paved road here so the island seems small when in fact it's the second largest island in SE Alaska. I hope to get my AT&T aircard in the next few days so I can post some pictures. Due to the limited paved roads, the pictures will all look similar. LOL

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by Siouxcia

I posted some stuff in the Chat thread (#6484)but I like it here. The village is <500 but the clinic is new. I'm really impressed with the facilities. The exam rooms are a little small but well stocked and the two bay ER has everything I can use or need before shipping someone out if need be. The weather has been awesome so far. I'm told the number of clear skies is unusual but I'm enjoying them. The $5.23 cents for a loaf of bread is painful but my hips can do without for awhile. I won't be able to leave the island for three months but I think that will be ok. I haven't committed to six months yet but if I do, I'll be going home for a couple of weeks in March.

There's only three miles of paved road here so the island seems small when in fact it's the second largest island in SE Alaska. I hope to get my AT&T aircard in the next few days so I can post some pictures. Due to the limited paved roads, the pictures will all look similar. LOL

You go girl, am jealous of your adventure...sounds like a good facility...and you have your doggie, (spray) coming...carry a big stick and love that griz...I think you might like summer, still new picture from now even if no 90% humidity like MN or ND...totally different meaning to the word....