Moving to Alaska & Nursing

[NOTAM]

the best RN jobs are federal govt, state, or corrections. period.
after 20 years in the field, i wouldnt have it any other way.

Originally Posted by skeww11

I am an RN in new mexico and am also considering moving to Alaska for awhile. It is just my husband and I. He is an experienced farm machinery/diesel mechanic, has worked for a glass company recently. What would be the chances of him getting a job also and where are the best RN jobs? I've noticed alot of posts that are totally negative about Barrow. Any thoughts, anybody???

[AADAD]

Not to disagree completely with the ^ as I have worked for IHHS and DHHS as well as Federal posts in Alaska and elsewhere and trained in the VA system but I have found the quality of care to be better in the private sector.

[NOTAM]

i have found completely the opposite. i have worked for over 20 years as a medical professional in both private and federal/military sectors. federal/military sector care far surpasses in terms of quality of patient care. staffing is optimal. understaffing has never been an issue anywhere i have worked in the federal system. time is not money, and there is no such thing as "what will insurance cover?" therefore, no expense is spared in terms of time, in giving proper care to the patient. whereas in the private sector, the more they can put on the assembly line, the more profit.
i can honestly say that i work with incredible folks, military trained...my colleagues have treated patients in combat, dealt with trauma in the sandbox that many civilian medical professionals will never see even in a Level I trauma center in the US.
my patients get the best of care and i am very envious. the only thing i hate about my job is that i cant be a patient in the facilities i work in, and have to go to civilian hospitals where i know that i am at risk, because our hospitals are suffering-our population is growing and aging, our baby boomer nurses are retiring, we dont have enough nurses with experience, hospitals and managed care are cutting costs and not staffing well enough to provide quality care, doctors hands are tied by insurance companies and DRG's.
it's a sad state of affairs. for those of yall who are active duty or beneficiaries or retirees, count yourself lucky. for those of yall young enough, consider going active duty because of the health care system. it's the best welfare system in the world. no copays, everything free. no caps. no limits.
i do the next best thing for myself, when i choose providers, i check their CV's (curriculum vitae's) and look for military training/residencies.

Originally Posted by AADAD

Not to disagree completely with the ^ as I have worked for IHHS and DHHS as well as Federal posts in Alaska and elsewhere and trained in the VA system but I have found the quality of care to be better in the private sector.

[Frostnip]

I'm not sure why you're assuming private and government hospitals up here are going to be the same as they are where you've worked.

[NOTAM]

i have worked all over the country. healthcare staffing is suffering everywhere. if Alaska's private sector hospitals are well-staffed, then Alaska is very lucky and i will be one very happy patient.

Originally Posted by Frostnip

I'm not sure why you're assuming private and government hospitals up here are going to be the same as they are where you've worked.