Moving to Rio Grande Valley- Advice Please!

[LizSaRN]

Hello everyone,

I will be graduating with my BSN in Chicago next month so I am planning to have my license by lets just say April 1st (im giving about 5-6 weeks to get the NCLEX done). I plan to move down to Texas as soon as I get my license here and just start the reciprocity process down there. I have lived in the valley before and have a lot of family down there so that part I am not worried about.

So what I am wondering is it really possible to get a hospital job down there as a new grad? I don't really mind what floor or shift. We are moving since my husband has a job down there. Could you tell me what is the starting range for a new grad down there? I have an offer here in a long term care and its $25/hr and don't feel comfortable going under that, but I due know Texas rates might be lower. Any advice on what hospitals to apply too? I looked on several hospital websites and there was ALOT of RN positions.

Thanks in Advance!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I haven't heard of any problems with new grads getting jobs in the RGV. Hospitals in that area are always recruiting to fill RN positions.

[Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN]

Not positive but a friend said the RGV starting pay is around $21-23/hr for new grads, but you have to remember the cost of living is less there than in Chicago, so while you may make less, you will get more with it.

[LizSaRN]

That's true I and I have kept that in mind. I would love to hear from people that actually live in the Valley. Everyone is always so fast to say McAllen is always hiring, but I feel that's like all of my non nursing friends who still think there is a nursing shortage!