Crux, you are absolutely right. Interesting enough, 4 years ago, when my wife started her path to nursing degree, it was much easier to get a job as a new grad around here, compared to the market down South. Now the situation have reversed itself and SLC, Vegas and generally SW hold way better prospects for landing a better job in comparison to WA state. For instance SLC has a residency type of training for ICU for the new grads. What is frustrating for my wife is she already put in 4 years in this hospital as Tech and UC, which includes UC in ICU.
Considering the difference in cost of living, weather and climbing, I think move down south is pretty certain in the next 3-12 months.