Any nurses relocate to MN from Texas or elsewhere? (Rochester: school, community college)

[QueenBee]

Of course you are entitled to your opinion but I can't imagine how anyone can deny that MN is cold in the winter and the weather is extreme and unpredictable. Yes, we hit 81 degrees one day a few weeks ago. A week later we had windchills in the subzero range. If that isn't extreme, please tell me what is Last April was gorgeous; I hung my laundry on my clothesline all month. This month we haven't had one day which hasn't been rainy, snowy or just downright cold. Snow in April is certainly NOT rare. This is already the second snow this month and it's only the 11th. I can recall many Aprils where we have had snowstorms. My kids have had Halloweens where they have been able to wear t-shirts (not the norm by any stretch), but this past year it probably wasn't above freezing that night. That is unpredictable in my book. Yes, we had some "warm" days this past winter, if you count 30's and maybe a 40 here and there "warm", but you certainly can't plan for it nor can you really enjoy it, unless blustery and chilly are your idea of comfortable weather. It certainly isn't mine. I reserve the right to my opinion about the weather here and I know it is shared by many. Since the OP is planning a move from TX, where the weather is polar opposite, I thought she may appreciate knowing how the weather can be up here. If you like it, great. Most people I know don't.

[ashera]

Originally Posted by TimtheGuy

If you ask me, the "extreme" and "unpredictable" gets overrated. Yes, it is snowing here right now...whop de doo. I happen to think falling snow is beautiful. The temp is 34. I don't see this as any worse than a typical 50 degree rainy April day. We have also all ready had a week above 60 degrees and one of those days was 80.

If I remember right, this past December was the warmest on record. There were plenty of people open water fishing on the Mississippi during DECEMBER! For the second year in a row ice fishing was hampered in the early season because it was too warm.

The funny thing about many Minnesotans and their weather is that they complain about the snow and cold in the winter AND the heat and humiditiy in the summer. I personally enjoy all the seasons and the changes they bring. One just needs a little larger selection of attire and outwear when you live here. Don't let the weather scare you away.

OK guys! My turn! Here in San Antonio - at MY house - Saturday night - wind chill 27 and it sleeted! Today....right now - it's 84 degrees.. I hate this! I love falling snow - I don't have to go out if it's -30 wind chill - I like sweaters and boots....I hate electric bills in the $200's + in the summer because the ac runs continuously just to get it down to upper 80's in the house. And because of the extreme heat - there is a drought in San Antonio and for one solid year - we have water rationing where you can't water your lawn except for one day a week - and in my case - it's a Tuesday between 10PM and 6AM! And I don't have sprinkler system -

But...all this started on this thread because I wanted to be closer to my son in Grand Forks ND - AND I have a MN nursing license. If I could move anywhere in the world...it probably wouldn't be Texas nor would it be Minnesota - maybe Tuscany???

If I could trade the 84 for falling snow....today....I'd be there!

[BJB817]

Wow, we should just trade houses. All the falling snow you can handle up here as we speak, I'll take the 84 degrees, thanks.

For what it's worth, they ration water around here in the summer too, except we get 3 days a week before 10 am and after 5 pm, I believe.

As far as the utility bills go, here you get nailed with the $200 gas bill in the winter since the furnace runs nonstop...

Back to your original question, again, sorry to hijack your post. I just suggested Fargo since its the biggest city near Grand Forks. If you're set on somewhere in MN where there'd be good opportunities for a nurse, I'd have to say the Twin Cities or Rochester. It sounds like you're looking to get away from the big city life so Rochester might be your best bet, granted it does put you an extra 1 1/2 hours away from Grand Forks. Roch has all the conveniences you could ask for and is generally a decent city. Big enough but not too big. If you want to live someplace even more quiet, there's a number of small towns within a half hour or less that have growing commuter populations such as Pine Island, Byron and Stewartville.

If you want something really different scenery and weather-wise, Duluth might be worth a try, but I'm not sure what the job market's like there. That would be about as opposite of Texas as you could get.

Oh, and as far as when I'm leaving... as soon as my wife and I can find jobs. So far, no luck. We'd really prefer to move down there with at least one of us having a job but if worse comes to worse we may just save up enough money to live on for a few months and go for it!

[TimtheGuy]

Weather is extreme and unpredictable everywhere in the world! We are not special in that regard.

[sharon14]

just an fyi---lpn's in mn need only 12 ceu's every 2 years. also mn doesnt have reciprosity(that's prob not spelled right)with other states re:nursing license. fairview health systems own alot of hospitals and clinics in mn,so does park nicollet. they all have websites that post job opp's. just thought you'd like the info.

[ashera]

Originally Posted by sharon14

just an fyi---lpn's in mn need only 12 ceu's every 2 years. also mn doesnt have reciprosity(that's prob not spelled right)with other states re:nursing license. fairview health systems own alot of hospitals and clinics in mn,so does park nicollet. they all have websites that post job opp's. just thought you'd like the info.

Thanks much for this info! I'll check out these sites - I've gotten my MN license (your spelling was close enough!) Lot's of states belong to a compact group - which recognize each others licenses - MN is not in the group of contact states so one has to become licensed by endorsement - satisfying that state's requirements -
Just more paperwork and more fees actually!

[TimtheGuy]

You will find that MN will always get their fees. They require licensing on everything including a canoe and portable ice houses. But, of coarse, you get what you pay for.

[catluvr]

Regarding MN weather....I'll bet people in TX don't need to take drugs or buy lamps for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

People in MN used to be very nice. Not sure what happened to that. Outstate people are still great, but MPLS/STP people are not so nice. I grew up in southern MN, left for the Military came home and moved to TC area. OMG, I never realized how rude people were here once I left and came back.

I think nurses are much nicer outstate, and I would recommend taking a job in a smaller town. Nurses in the metro area eat each other alive.

[TimtheGuy]

I think nurses are much nicer outstate, and I would recommend taking a job in a smaller town. Nurses in the metro area eat each other alive.

My wife was born and raised in Northwestern Mississippi. I lived down there for 9 years and it is ANOTHER WORLD. Anyway we moved back to my home state of MN 4 years ago. She took a nursing job at Regions Hospital in downtown St. Paul and absolutely loves it. She does not want to work anywhere else. She was well excepted and has made many friends at the hospital.

Don't get me wrong. People in outstate are about as nice as they come, but "regular" people can assimilate just fine in the metro.

ps. Other than people who think drugs are a cure-all, I don't think too many people are taking drugs OR buying lamps for "Seasonal Affective Disorder". I do not know of any. Gloomy weather can become depressing, but it also makes the nice weather (like today) all the more enjoyable and appreciated.

[catluvr]

You must not know a lot of people. Maybe you should research SAD. It's real, it's the lack of Seratonin and it is very common during Winter. The SSRI's are some of the most prescribed medications around. Also, if it wasn't common, why would insurance companies pay for the lights?

If you really are a nurse, you should be aware of this.