So You Want To Move To Texas?

The population of Texas has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. The purpose of this article is to discuss some of the aspects that nurses and nursing students should take into consideration when making the decision to relocate to Texas. Nurses Career Support Article

So You Want To Move To Texas?

So, you're thinking of moving to Texas? Welcome to the well-established club, because many others have made the exact same move over the past few years. Although the state is still second to California in total population, Texas has gained more people than any other state-at least 529,000- since the last major census figures were released (Aaronson, 2011). People are definitely migrating here, especially from other states.

After a lifetime of having lived in California, I personally took the plunge and relocated to the Lone Star State in 2005. After an initial period of painful culture shock, I am still living here nearly seven years after having made the move, so that should say something.

If you are a nurse, nursing student, or other type of healthcare worker who is seriously considering relocating to Texas, there are some points that you may wish to take into careful consideration. I will mention a few of them below.

You've probably heard that Texas is full of Nursing Jobs.

The small towns, mid-sized cities, and extremely rural areas of the state still have plenty of job opportunities. However, newcomers to the state have the tendency to settle into the major metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, the majority of the big cities in Texas have had tough employment markets over the past three years. Many newly graduated nurses have not fared well due to extreme competition in some large metro areas, but applicants with experience should have an easier time finding work.

Masses of people have moved to Texas in recent years.

I reside in one of the major metropolitan areas and can attest to the fact that nurses from around the U.S. have been relocating here over the past few years. Since I have been living here, I have met nurses, nursing students, and other healthcare workers who moved here from Iowa, Virginia, New Mexico, Oregon, California, Mississippi, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Missouri, Utah, Oklahoma, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Alabama, Wisconsin, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Nebraska, Colorado, Maryland, Wyoming, and many other states.

I've also seen numerous nurses who moved here from abroad in recent years. I've met nurses from the Philippines, Nigeria, Bosnia, Kenya, Great Britain, Liberia, Canada, Uganda, Ukraine, and other countries. Since the newcomers frequently gravitate toward large cities, this translates into local employment markets that present fierce competition.

If you already have your heart set on moving here, I'd like to welcome you to Texas!

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TheCommuter

About TheCommuter, BSN, RN

TheCommuter, BSN, RN, CRRN is a longtime physical rehabilitation nurse who has varied experiences upon which to draw for her articles. She was an LPN/LVN for more than four years prior to becoming a Registered Nurse.

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Specializes in ICU.

I spent a lot of time in Texas over the years, and absolutely loved it. When we would go out to eat, one portion of food could feed 4 people. We could order one serving of cheesecake, and feed the whole table! And the steaks~oh, the steaks! Whenever we go to a restuarant here, I think of Texas! Our food is so crappy here compared to what we ate there. It is true, everything is bigger and better in Texas.

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If what you say is true, then I would have no problem settling in the small, mid-sized cities. I just want a job, and unfortunately, I don't think I, or many of us graduates for the matter, have that luxury of choosing.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
If what you say is true, then I would have no problem settling in the small, mid-sized cities.
Just make sure that the small town or midsized city is located more than 100 miles away from a major metro area to increase your chances.

I've heard people say, "I'm moving to Arlington!" However, Arlington is a city in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area, and therefore, nurses there will be competing with the rest of the people in DFW for a limited number of jobs. It would be similar to someone saying they're moving to Sugarland, which is in the Houston metro area. The person who moves to Sugarland is going to be competing with the rest of the Houstonians for jobs.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

I know I will have trouble finding a job since I will be living in Fort Worth and I only have 6 months Correctional Nurse Experience and 3 years experience as a CNA in a hospital. It is my only option though since my husband is getting transfered there. I hope I can get a hospital job but I know it might not happen.

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Yes commuter is right! I graduated may 2012 with a BSN and resides in Arlington. I have applied to over 150 jobs and got 1 interview which Im glad i got the job offer. Lol. But half of my class as we speak are still without jobs and have not been able to find a job in the Dallas fort worth area. Arlington is in the middle and so that is included in that region. The people that found jobs are ppl that already hold a previous job such as a patient care tech in those hospitals. So its not easy. I do nails for a living before i graduated nursing school and have encountered many new grad from December 2011 that also are without jobs. It is a very tough job market out there right now...

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Specializes in Tele/med surg/step-down, Cardiology.

It seems that right now there are tons of jobs in Houston and San Antonio. Many in Austin too. Problem is do they take new grads? I moved to Texas last Fall and took a job that turned out to be awful, so I am looking again. Eight apps in and waiting!!

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I know of several new grads who, within the last 6 months, have gained employment in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, and the surrounding areas. I believe that the area where new grads are having the most difficult time is in the DFW area.

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You are right. I think DFW is the worse. Job hunting here has been an absolute nightmare!!

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I graudated last year and got a job with the unit for which I was a CNA. I live in Austin, and our hospital system had 1200 new grads apply for 100 available spots. Here's the main problem with new grads: hospitals in big cities have tons of new grads applying for a few positions, and some small-town hospitals won't hire new grads and why should they when lots of experienced nurses are moving to Texas and need jobs.

It's very discouraging for sure. Just apply, apply, apply and go wherever you can get hired. If you're still in school, get a job as a CNA. It helps.

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Specializes in Tele/med surg/step-down, Cardiology.

When I posted the question about those places taking new grads, it was not for me. I have 11 years of experience and just decided I needed a change! Change was Texas! I still feel hospitals should give new Grads the chance, why not get hem before they have bad habits! LOL good Luck to all!!

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As a new grad with no CNA experience I consider myself extremely lucky to have landed a job at a major hospital in the Texas Medical Center but I know many of my classmates have not faired as well. Our professors told us that a nursing job was a nursing job and to get whatever we can to begin our careers - quote "where you start is not where you will end". We were also given the advice to apply at smaller hospitals in outlaying cities. I thought there was a huge nursing shortage until halfway through my nursing program...Ha...if nurses with experience are having difficult times finding jobs than you can imagine the nightmare new grads are experiencing.

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