Relocation (Anchorage, Bethel, Wasilla: student loans, travel, wage)

[Onna]

Hey. I am a young (23 year old) nursing student and will be graduating in May with my RN- BSN. I would love to not only relocate from South Dakota but make a little money to pay off these student loans. What do you think about the hospital in Bethel? Is it big, do they hire new grads? Also although it looks like they do pay a good wage what is the cost of living? I would either be moving by myself or with my significant other. What do you think?

[Manmountain]

Put a resume and an App. in and find out. Even a bad decision is a good decision when it comes to it!

In other words there is no such thing as a bad "ADVENTURE"...... GO FOR IT! iTS JUST WHAT it is..........

[FishTAxi]

Hi,

Consider Valdez where we have a new hospital and are in need of nurses. Check out their website at http://WWW.PROVIDENCE.ORG/ALASKA/EMPLOYMENT/

Good Luck!

[BudinAk]

Personally, I would never move to Bethel. Very high cost of living there, and no road access. Or Valdez. Valdez is very nice in the summer, and has road access, but they get incredibly hellacious amounts of snow all winter. (I mean LOTS)
On the other hand, Wasilla/Palmer (just north of Anchorage, 40 miles) has a brand-new hospital (2006): Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, that I would very seriously consider.
http://www.matsuregional.com/index_flash.php
And you would be living in the beautiful Matanuska Valley, where they grow giant vegetables and crops all summer and fall. Beautiful scenic mountain views out your living room window. And, it's on the highway system...only an hours drive to the "big" city: Anchorage. Great area.
My wife is an LPN, and she says the "travel" nurses she's met up here, those working under contract with an agency, make WAY more money than those working directly for a hospital. They work under like a 90-day contract with the hospital, then either move on, or renew the contract. Big bucks. You could go from one city to another here every 90 days, until you found the one you wanted to settle in...just a thought. You might do a Google search for "travel nurse agency", hire on with one of those outfits, and let them find you a job. You can always specify the area/city. My $.02

Bud

[Kgalyen]

I travel around the state of Alaska for my job, and I've been to Bethel quite a bit as well as other parts of the state. I work in early intervention and so I've worked a lot with people in the health corporation there.

You know, so many people I've seen really love Bethel, and so many people I know also really hate it. It really depends on what you're looking for and what kind of a person you are. If you can, I highly recommend that you fly out to Alaska and try to see it. Alaska is HUGE and each corner of it is vastly different, with various weather conditions to culture to economy.

I knew of some nurses who they interviewed and they flew them out to Bethel to see it. If you talk to them, they may fly you out there as well as see some villages. It's a high cost of living, but there's also not a lot of places to spend your money, so many end up saving a lot of money that way.

That's my recommendation.

[Takoda]

The hospital is small, but you would not have to worry about the cost of living out here. The hospital will pay for your relocation and housing. The real expense you will encounter is gas and food prices, but if your a smart shopper and use the internet like all of us, you will save. Also gas is expensive but you only fill up every 4 weeks, theres only 7 miles of road, and no where to go. The town is gray in the winters but the summers have color. Dont let the view from the airport fool you. The culture, people and money is worth it.

[MysticDr]

I am considering moving to Bethel from New England, which I will visit Bethel in a few weeks. However, I have several questions that I would appreciate responses from those living in Bethel as follows:

1) What type of snow mobile should one consider acquiring for life in Bethel. What type of ATV is recommended? 2) Is there a health center (gym) in Bethel and/or a place for one to "work out"? 3) What is the housing market like in Bethel? 4) Is it easy to master the shopping via the Internet as I understand most people purchase on-line? 5) How is the social life for singles? Thanks!