I want to move Texas as a new grad NP. Need advice

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in Cardiology.

Hey guys,

I am about to graduate from my AGPCNP program in less than 30 days. Currently I live in a TN, which is very competitive when it comes to getting a job as a new grad NP, and I am also at a point in my life where I'm just ready for a change in scenery.

I was thinking about moving to Houston Texas ( Single, No family, No friends) but I am not having a lot of luck locating how the Texas job market is currently for NP's and new grad NPs and what is the pay like.I know that Texas has several hospitals in the area, but as I have learned from my own city, sometimes just having the facilities doesn't = job opprotunites.

I also have some anxiety because I am not sure if its a great idea to move to a new state when starting a new path in my nursing career. I suppose people do it all of the time, but suppose I am more nervous because I am used to the lifestyles of my state and now I kind of have to learn a new culture?

Any advice will be super helpful! Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

First of all, what makes you pick Houston?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology.

I picked Houston because I've heard that it is a diverse and fun city. It would be a very welcome change. I will be visiting there next month, but just wanted to know how the job market looks and how difficult it would be to find a job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think Houston is a good place to start. Many businesses out there. Not sure about new grad. When I was a new grad back in August 2014, I was more concerned of what I wanted in a practice. Its good to have an interview set up in person to get a feel for the practice. Although I lived in a major city like San Antonio, I chose to practice in a rural setting that is about 1.5 hours away from San Antonio because I thought it would be a better fit for what I want in a practice. Have you pictured in your mind what type of practice setting you would like? Just wondering. There are many jobs out there but you have to pick one that is right for you. I do hear that in Tennessee the job market for new grads are a bit difficult... I have heard it from travel np coworkers i met while I was traveling. Anyway, you should also explore El Paso/Laredo/suburbs of Dallas there are a lot more people looking in those areas as well. The state of New Mexico is in shortage of MD/NP/PAs in general.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, PCU, UCC, Observation medicine.

Houston is a great city, (NASA!!) BUT it is very humid. I moved from PA to TX specifically to work as a NP. The job market in Dallas is HOT HOT HOT. If you moved to Dallas, you can throw a rock into the air and have it land on a NP position. The whole Texas market is huge on NPs, we also get paid some of the highest rates in the country. I've been in Dallas since 2012. I have averaged 145k each year. I have three jobs, one in the ER where I get about 65 hour, depending how busy it is. I have a job in a observation unit where I make 70/hr, and I have a Locums hospitalist position where I get 90/hour (24 hour shifts at that last job). So If I were you, come to Dallas- DFW area. For someone young, single, no kids (lucky), you will meet tons of people. Austin also is a young city. The other thing I would consider is to get employed through a physicians group, don't work for a hospital. Hospitals do not pay as much. What area are you trying to get into?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology.
Houston is a great city, (NASA!!) BUT it is very humid. I moved from PA to TX specifically to work as a NP. The job market in Dallas is HOT HOT HOT. If you moved to Dallas, you can throw a rock into the air and have it land on a NP position. The whole Texas market is huge on NPs, we also get paid some of the highest rates in the country. I've been in Dallas since 2012. I have averaged 145k each year. I have three jobs, one in the ER where I get about 65 hour, depending how busy it is. I have a job in a observation unit where I make 70/hr, and I have a Locums hospitalist position where I get 90/hour (24 hour shifts at that last job). So If I were you, come to Dallas- DFW area. For someone young, single, no kids (lucky), you will meet tons of people. Austin also is a young city. The other thing I would consider is to get employed through a physicians group, don't work for a hospital. Hospitals do not pay as much. What area are you trying to get into?

Thank you for your input. I am finding more job listings in Dallas than Houston, but still no calls back. I think that might change after I pass boards. I would like to do cardiology since that is my RN background, but also interested in internal medicine. I am not entirely clear on scope of practice so I am hesitant to apply for hospitalist positions being that I am adult primary care. I was hoping to get into a clinic affiliated with a hospital, I think that might be easier since i'm relocating, rather than to aim for private practices that don't want to take a chance on someone who is not local. Am I correct in this thinking?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you looked into South Texas. In McAllen Texas there is a heart hospital. Many of the cardiac physicians hire NPs. Just a warning, it is very hot and may take time to get use to the culture. However, a beautiful city.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a new grad in Houston, graduated in May and I do think the NP market in Houston is saturated right now. I wanted peds only and was having a hard time with call backs. I applied to possibly 10-12 jobs, had 4 interviews (1 nonpeds) and got 2 offers. It took me nearly 3 months to land my current job. I will say that all the jobs I was applying for, I saw on indeed that 15-22 people had already applied for that as well.

I do have a friend who graduated with me and moved to Dallas, and she is starting at significantly higher salary than most of us in Houston. Dallas is nice, good restaurants, great nightlife, just those dallas cowboys :no:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult NP- post acute care.

Have you talked with any locums agencies? You could take a short term assignment in Houston or nearby region to see if you like the area before settling in permanently. I'm planning on moving to San Antonio (I'm from Ohio) to be closer to my son who attends a nearby college & plays college sports. I'm not sure how the job market is for Houston, but I'm hearing from the recruiters that the more rural areas are willing to pay more and have a bigger demand (i.e.- a lot of locums jobs in San Antonio & Austin won't pay for lodging/travel expenses but a job in Corpus Christie did offer). This has just been my recent experience over the past few months, and again I can't speak for Houston. I wish you all the best in your travels, though...and I hear that Houston is a great city full of excitement, entertainment, and plenty of diversity. Best of luck to you!!!:up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, progressive care.
Houston is a great city, (NASA!!) BUT it is very humid. I moved from PA to TX specifically to work as a NP. The job market in Dallas is HOT HOT HOT. If you moved to Dallas, you can throw a rock into the air and have it land on a NP position. The whole Texas market is huge on NPs, we also get paid some of the highest rates in the country. I've been in Dallas since 2012. I have averaged 145k each year. I have three jobs, one in the ER where I get about 65 hour, depending how busy it is. I have a job in a observation unit where I make 70/hr, and I have a Locums hospitalist position where I get 90/hour (24 hour shifts at that last job). So If I were you, come to Dallas- DFW area. For someone young, single, no kids (lucky), you will meet tons of people. Austin also is a young city. The other thing I would consider is to get employed through a physicians group, don't work for a hospital. Hospitals do not pay as much. What area are you trying to get into?

YouTubeTheNP, are you an FNP?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

Davy Crockett did it! It didn't work out too well for him.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, PCU, UCC, Observation medicine.
YouTubeTheNP, are you an FNP?

Yes!! Sorry never saw this until now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment