MedPro International is placing foreign-educated healthcare professionals in exciting positions throughout the United States. This week we take a closer look at Spokane, Washington, a Pacific Northwest community that offers the best of city life and the perks of nature.
‘Near Nature, Near Perfect’
Known for outdoor activities such as skiing, whitewater rafting, camping, and hiking, Spokane is a great location for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for urban activities and fun. The Spokane River runs through downtown, a vibrant urban setting with shops, restaurants, bars, and events. The second-most populous city in Washington is less than 25 minutes from the Idaho-Washington state border and is surrounded by parks and conservation areas. The annual Spokane Lilac Festival has been a spring tradition since 1938 after a local garden club began planting lilac bushes throughout the city. Spokane is now bathed in purple, pink, and white blooming hues every spring.
Economy
The largest employers in Spokane are Fairchild Air Force Base, the state of Washington, and Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital, the number one rated hospital in Spokane. Along with government and health services, mining, logging, construction, and manufacturing are prominent industries in Spokane.
Quality of Life
- Cost of living 17.7 percent lower than national average
- Population of 229,071 based on the 2020 Census
- Median home price of $450,000
- Median Household Income of $60,101
- Unemployment Rate of 4.5 percent, slightly above the national average
- Ranked in U.S. News & World Report Top 100 Best Places to Live
- Ranked in U.S. News & World Report Top 20 Fastest Growing Cities
- Average commute time of 20.8 minutes.
- Spokane’s violent crime rate was below the national average in 2020.
The Spokane School District offers Pre-Kindergarten and elementary through high school education. Spokane has a student−teacher ratio of 19-1 and earned an overall B+ rating from Niche.com
Along with Gonzaga University, locals can enroll at Spokane Falls Community College and Spokane Community College.
Top Attractions:
Ranked among the Top 100 national universities by U.S. News & World Report, and with a nationally recognized undergraduate nursing program, Gonzaga holds speaker series, forms, exhibits, and more open to the public.
Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture
Founded in 1916, more than 100,000 visitors tour the museum each year. Current exhibits showing through spring 2023 include American Impressionism: Treasures From the Daywood Collection, featuring 41 works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Dancing With Life: Mexican Masks, featuring a selection of dance masks from the MAC collection and contemporary Mexican artists.
Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park
The region’s only nonprofit 501(c)3 ski area was voted #1 by the readers of The Inlander for 10 straight years.
River Park Square A mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment in the central downtown area, River Park Square turns into a winter wonderland for the holiday season.
Spokane Falls The Spokane Falls is the largest urban waterfall in the U.S. The Upper Falls and Lower Falls are separated by a dam, which generates hydroelectric power for customers in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. One of the best ways to view the Falls is from the SkyRide gondola, which offers a 20-minute bird’s eye view.
Centennial Trail A popular spot for biking, walking, jogging, and skating, the Centennial was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010. The trail stretches 40 miles from Sontag Park into Idaho.
Martin Woldson Theater The Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox first opened in 1931. This downtown venue hosts symphony, plays, concerts, and other live entertainment.
Are you a Foreign-Educated Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional looking to work in the U.S.?
MedPro International is a Joint Commission-certified and leading provider of placement services to facilities across the U.S. We have successfully placed more foreign-educated healthcare professionals than any other company in our industry.
To find out more, APPLY NOW or call us at (800) 886-8108.
