[Anmutasc]

I'm in the midst of figuring out where to go next and thought of seattle as a possibility for may. Any suggestions on where to work? How about housing locations?? I've already been to san diego and san francisco and already got my NY license to go there next, but not sure if I want to leave the west coast just yet. Can anyone convince me to stay out here with a good paying opportunity in seattle (whats the rates like, and stipends??)

[kkennedy]

Seattle is great! So much to do, especially if you are single. If you are lucky enough to get a job at one of the downtown Swedish hospitals the housing is great. Nice places near the water, secured buildings, close to great restaurants and bars. I'm finishing up a contract just north of Seattle in Edmonds, WA. Its about 15 minutes from downtown. If you like a more laid back place then Stevens Hospital is a good place to work. But be careful of the housing outside of seattle. Places that look great on the internet are not always safe. Have someone go check out the apartment complex before you commit.

[Katerre]

Hi, new to the boards here.

I've been in the Seattle area as a traveler for over a year now and I love it here. The weather is icky in the winter, but if you're getting here in the spring/summer and stay through the end of the year you'll love it. Great things to do in the area, and the mountains and ocean are perfect.

I've been at Valley Medical Center's ER in Renton (about 15-20 mins south of downtown Seattle on the I-5) for three contracts now. I love it there. It's a level III trauma center with 27 roomed beds and a few hallway spaces. The staff and management LOVE travelers and are very flexible with scheduling. The docs and nurses have an excellent working relationship - lots of respect and teamwork. Scrubs are royal blue.

It's also a union hospital, so you have SCHEDULED breaks - what a luxury!!

I live within 5 miles of the hospital too, which is nice for morning commutes. Designated gated staff parking with shuttles. New ER/OR/CCU under construction now. Computerized touchscreen charting, terribly easy.

For drawbacks, I think that the flow in the department (in particular the triage/intake process) could be optimized. You don't see much trauma, and what does come in that's severe enough gets stabilized and transferred to Harborview (only level I trauma in the state - in Seattle). I miss trauma. Lots of chest pain/dyspnea/altered LOC/abd pain patients.

It really is a fun place to work, and when my assignment here is done in the next few months, I'll be sorry to go.

Hope that helps!

Kat