Two questions....

Hey there Marcie, I am a new grad (LVN) also, there are plenty of new grad positions here, especially for RN's. I got a job on the first interview I went to, that was last week. I'll be making $18/hr, per diem (no benefits, but I don't need them). The same hospital here pays new grad RN's around $20 -$21/hr with full benefits. I live in the Beaumont/Pt. Arthur area, about 1 hour east of Houston. This is a very nice place to live and the cost of living is very reasonable. As far as Houston area is concerned, Sugarland is very nice, as well as The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, Clear Lake, and Friendswood. The pay is more than where I live, but so is the cost of living. Commuting can be a beast in Houston area, but there are plenty of jobs to be had. Best wishes to you and I hope I helped a little.

Sugarland is a nice, upscale, good place to live; however, it is not affordable according to Texas standards.

I'm a new grad LVN who has not had any problems finding work since moving to Texas last year. Since you're an RN, the sky's the limit. Good luck!

LVN is the same as an LPN. The "V" stands for vocational and the "P" stands for professional. No difference in status or pay. An RN I work w/ had the same problem as a new grad. No one would hire her so she went to work in a LTC for a yr. to get experience. That might be an option for you. LTC's are always looking for nurses re: of the title!

Texas and California refer to basic nurses as LVNs (licensed vocational nurses).

The other 48 states refer to basic nurses as LPNs (licensed practical nurses).

It is the exact same type of nurse. I am called an LVN because I have nursing licenses in California and Texas. However, I would be called an LPN if I moved to any state other than California or Texas. I hope this adequately answers your question.

Most of the hospitals hire new grads year round, but if you are trying to get into a certain specialty program, then they only offer those a few times a year.

As for Texas being affordable...It is very affordable compared to most places. This is a great site to use:

http://www.homefair.com/homefair/calc/salcalc.html

For example, around here (Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas), most new grad RNs can expect to make at least 40k. If that same nurse moved to Boston, she would have to make $52,993 to keep the same standard of living that she had in Texas. Texas does not have state income taxes either

Texas is a big place, so if you narrowed it down some more (Houston area, Dallas area, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio...) you could probably get more information.

Good luck to you!

Unfortunately, the property taxes are higher in Texas. My California property taxes were $1,800 yearly. I now pay $3,700 yearly in property taxes for my house in Texas.

EWWW!!!! Almost makes me not want to purchase my first home.

The overall cost of living is still significantly lower here in Texas. A house that goes for 200k in Texas will sell for 400-600k in California (depending on the area).