RN moving to TX from CA

[sirena1481]

I am a new grad living in SF, CA and am thinking of moving to SA, TX. I spoke to a traveler nurse from SA and he said it was difficult to work as an RN with an associates and that they are paid less. Is this true? I have an associates but am working on a bsn. Also, what are the wages? And what are the usual rn to patient ratios? I am spoiled here in CA because we have the 1:5 ratio. Any help with these questions would be great. Thanks.

[soso]

I am a native Californian (Bay Area) and my husband and I recently purchased a home in Katy. I am still in Cali finishing up my nursing prereqs and have to stay to become vested in my company until the end of the year.

I cannot speak as a nurse yet but I can say that it would be great if every state adopted California's ratios. I'm not too sure about unions, I'm currently in one and I love the fact that they protect and fight for us but they can be a pain at times!!

I must say that there are so many things I love about both places and surprisingly I don't find too much difference between the two. Yes, I'd take Cali's weather over Houston's anyday (who wouldn't..don't get me started on the Texas storms..OMG), the pay (what I'm making now as a Medi-Cal "medicaid" worker is more than I will be as a first year nurse) but I could always be a travel nurse!! The ability to take public transportation just about anywhere (sorry, Texans cannot drive..my insurance is more in TX than Cali), as well as many of the social programs for the indigent (medical programs for just about everyone who come and apply).

On the other hand, what I am paying for my home in Katy is what I was paying for a 2bd room apt...$1450/mo. It is possible to by a home in California, you will more than likely need two incomes and you'll be commuting over an hour to work (not unlike some places in TX) and your sq footage is about 500-1000 less. Appreciation levels are higher, but not too many are selling for fear of not being able to afford a bigger home unless it's out of state!!

I was surprised in the cultural diversity of Houston..it's like San Francisco!! I've lived in Arlington, TX also and loved it (lil different from Houston though...more like California). The state of California is a conservative state but places like SF are very liberal. It kills me sometimes how people label a state based upon one city!! As far as seediness, there are some aspects of Houston and Dallas that are just like San Fran and LA which I think is pervasive in many large cities.

Overall, we choose to move to Texas because of the slower pace and it's family oriented environment. Both places have something for everyone, I guess it just depends on where you are in your life.

[curious one]

I am a new grad living in SF, CA and am thinking of moving to SA, TX. I spoke to a traveler nurse from SA and he said it was difficult to work as an RN with an associates and that they are paid less. Is this true? I have an associates but am working on a bsn. Also, what are the wages? And what are the usual rn to patient ratios? I am spoiled here in CA because we have the 1:5 ratio. Any help with these questions would be great. Thanks.[/quote My opinion as a tx RN with ASN degree is you can practice anywhere in the country and it will be different,the people,the hospitals,the administrators,etc. Just remember texas does not have union representation therefore you will not have a voice,no scheduled breaks,and higher ratios.TNA represents administrators,and that may be why we still don't have representation.Many nurses are joining NNOC because we are being fired for refusing unsafe assignments.My hospital floor nurses carry 6-8 pts and in the ICU 2-3.I have worked in the bay area as a traveler and loved it but family issues brought me back to texas.I will return to travel nurse asap...Good luck!!

[amarillo nikki]

As a Texas girl I would recommend DFW over Houston, Austin and SA solely based on traffic. I ABSOLUTELY ADORE ATX but the traffic there is just this side of horrific. The town has grown and the city hasn't really done anything to accomodate it and now I think it would be way too late to make the changes they'd need. Houston, besides the hair-frizzing humidity, doesn't have the best traffic, nor as I recall does SA. That said, there is plenty to do in all of the cities and from what I understand, plenty of work to be had.

[soso]

Anyone moving from California to Texas will not have a problem with traffic!! I've been commuting over an hour to school/work every since I graduated from high school 16 years ago. Unfortunately, you get use to it. For me, Houston traffic isn't that bad...I've learned some shortcuts and I usually take the new Westpark Tollway and it leads directly to my house.