Planning a huge move to Ann Arbor suggestions greatly appreciated

So my girlfriend (RN of 3 years) and I (RN of .5 years) are planning on a move to Ann Arbor in hopes of employment at the U of M hospital. I'm interested in getting into an ICU as soon as I can to get the year experience needed for their CRNA program. The job postings I've been seeing though suggest that I just get my foot in the door before even attempting an ICU position, I am aware that I'm still very wet behind the ears . She's interested in peds while working for her masters. I did see a ton of peds openings luckily for her. She's also currently working for a traveling agency, but wants to get out due to the unlikelihood of an Ann Arbor job popping up any time soon.

My question is, is there anyone familiar with the area and/or hospital. I will be moving from Toledo and she will be moving from Cleveland. Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.
i live in between detroit and ann arbor. i am a nursing student. i have never worked or done clinicals at u of m but i hear its wonderful. what specific questions do you have?

I have been in Ann Arbor, very nice place in the summer and fall. You used to winters, its just even more gray skies there. Your probably going to need some more experience before going icu. At least work on step down for a while.

Hey there I'm a nursing student in Ann Arbor and actually I am in clinical at both U of M and St. Joseph Mercy atm. Both great hospitals in the area. I'm actually in my Pediatric clinical at U of M and it's a very awesome place, great nurses from what I have seen so far. I've lived here all my life so I'm no stranger to the area, feel free to PM me with specific questions.

I would call the human resource dept at the hospital and see if they have any critical care internships available. I work at a hospital outside of Detroit. I was hired into the hospital in a 14 week orientation out of nursing school. You dont have to do a full year of med/surg before going to the ICU. Most internships prepare you for critical care. Good luck

I live very close to both u of m and st. joseph in ann arbor, although I do not work at either of those hospitals. During nursing school I did med surg at St. Joe's and psych at U of M. Both are nice hospitals. U of M is huge you can get lost very easily there. U of M nurses are union nurses you need to think about whether you want that or not. Probably there are a lot of opportunities at a big hospital like that. I do not think the nurses there make as much as at other hospitals, but I here they have execellent benefit packages. St. Joe's has remodeled their critical care tower and all the rooms are private and very big, a lot of new equipment. Either would be nice. Michigan can be very pretty, although very cold in the winter and bleak. The job and house market is horrible in michigan right now, but I doubt that will affect you right now as you are both RN's and probably won't be affected by job loss. However if you plan on buying a house and do not like living here you might not be able to sell your house.Good luck with whatever you decide.

Ann Arbor (my home town) is WONDERFUL!!! Lots of great music, great people, GREAT food, and educational and cultural action. Winter bleak???? I don't think so. We used to have sledding parties under full moons, ice skating, etc. My best friend is an OR nurse at St Joseph's and loves it. I am sooo jealous! I dream of being back in Ann Arbor.

I work at U of M and would be happy to answer any questions you have if PM me. I'm not sure exactly what you would like to know and what questions you have based on your post. U of M is a really good place to work though.

Quote from cdchickI would call the human resource dept at the hospital and see if they have any critical care internships available. I work at a hospital outside of Detroit. I was hired into the hospital in a 14 week orientation out of nursing school. You dont have to do a full year of med/surg before going to the ICU. Most internships prepare you for critical care. Good luck

Ann Arbor is a great place to live. I love it here. But you're right that rent is not cheap here. Downtown/Kerrytown is a great area and rent there is probably among the most expensive of the different areas of Ann Arbor. I can't tell you how much it will be right off hand and if you can afford it (nursing is my thing, not real estate, lol). Keep in mind in this area, you will still be close to U of M's campus so you'll be living near some of the college students (not the biggest off campus student area though). Also, rent will get more expensive the closer you get to U of M's campus. Rent gets cheaper the closer you get to Ypsilanti and the west side of AA is not too bad either rent wise.UMHS...I love working here. Us nurses are union. The pay compared to other hospitals in the metro Detroit is average though. The benefits are decent, the retirement is what really stands out, which you may or may not have info on already. Basically retirement 5% out of your pay, 200% match by the hospital. What really stinks is having to pay for parking. Parking in AA is at a premium, and every employee has to pay for parking unless you live close enough to walk or take a city bus. There are different permit levels, depending on how close you want to park to the hospital (cost obviously higher to park closer).I will send you a PM later on today with a rundown on the different units, based on my observations (I had most of my NS clinicals here (UH and Mott) and I have worked as an RN here for almost a year). I also have friends from NS that work on various units too. Doesn't make me an expert by any means but if interested, I can share what I have seen. In the meantime, gotta run!

Quote from SarahRNBSNAnn Arbor is a great place to live. I love it here. But you're right that rent is not cheap here. Downtown/Kerrytown is a great area and rent there is probably among the most expensive of the different areas of Ann Arbor. I can't tell you how much it will be right off hand and if you can afford it (nursing is my thing, not real estate, lol). Keep in mind in this area, you will still be close to U of M's campus so you'll be living near some of the college students (not the biggest off campus student area though). Also, rent will get more expensive the closer you get to U of M's campus. Rent gets cheaper the closer you get to Ypsilanti and the west side of AA is not too bad either rent wise.UMHS...I love working here. Us nurses are union. The pay compared to other hospitals in the metro Detroit is average though. The benefits are decent, the retirement is what really stands out, which you may or may not have info on already. Basically retirement 5% out of your pay, 200% match by the hospital. What really stinks is having to pay for parking. Parking in AA is at a premium, and every employee has to pay for parking unless you live close enough to walk or take a city bus. There are different permit levels, depending on how close you want to park to the hospital (cost obviously higher to park closer).I will send you a PM later on today with a rundown on the different units, based on my observations (I had most of my NS clinicals here (UH and Mott) and I have worked as an RN here for almost a year). I also have friends from NS that work on various units too. Doesn't make me an expert by any means but if interested, I can share what I have seen. In the meantime, gotta run!

Sorry to resurrect a very old thread. Did you end up moving? I have an interview next week with U of M. Any advice would be awesome.