The Lowdown on Austin Hospitals

U.S.A. Texas

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My husband is being transferred to Austin, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I am originally from there many years ago. Anyway, can someone fill me in on the hospitals to work at in Austin. I have 2 years med-surg and 1 year of per-diem psych at a state hospital here in NJ. I am looking for a place with nursing self-governance and where the turnover is low because nurses are respected. Can anyone comment?

I'm still in nursing school, so I don't have first-hand information on nursing jobs. However, our instructors have told us that graduate nursing positions are very difficult to find in Austin right now. The last two semesters, about 350 nurses graduated and the two major hospitals (Seton and St. Davids) hired 60, and of those, many were already employees of the hospitals. Instructors are urging us to try to get jobs in the hospitals to increase our chances of getting a job when we graduate.

I've talked to a few nurses at the hospitals where I've done clinical. Seton had a hiring freeze a few months ago. Some of my friends say their units are not hiring and are not replacing the nurses they are firing. I'm not sure if this is true for every Seton facility.

Also, a nurse manager at St. David's told me that graduate nurses are being paid $18/hour for day shift. This surprised me because I have GN friends who've been hired throughout the years, and the pay has been about $20-$21/hour for days for years.

I hear the pay is muuuuchh better in Dallas and Houston. In fact, I know folks who travel there to work instead of working in Austin.

Good luck!

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The posts have been very helpful! I am looking for a team-oriented ICU where nurses aren't eating each other alive and nursing safety is important. Do you find that atmosphere is greater in the large hospitals in Austin or the smaller ones? I have worked in both settings, and before I move, I would love to get some inside advice! Does anyone have any specific input on the smaller hospitals like Heart Hospital, Westlake, or Austin Surgical? What is the salary difference? Thanks in advance for the input!

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ITA. I get $45 an hour now for weekend per diem work, some of the nurses I work with are getting $50 an hour days per diem at Overlook, a large NJ hospital near here. It will be an adjustment but SOOOOOO worth it. I'd choose Austin over NJ any day.

You can't even begin to care the cost of living and the quality of life though.

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Hey mattie123,

Maybe you already know this by now, but they Seton's Versant program starts emailing applicants about interviews from 4/5-4/16. If you get an interview the dates are during the week of April 26th.

Has anyone given you advice on interviewing for the program? I would really appreciate any tips/heads up.

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Specializes in cardiology.

emup01,

I actually got a call on Monday March 29 for SMC-Austin!! I also have gotten an e-mail and a call from SMC-Hays and SMC-Williamson this week!! I haven't had an interview with them yet, but I would go over basic interview questions with some of your buddies just to get you warmed up... other than that I really have no idea what they could ask... possibly scenario questions but there's really nothing you could prepare for with scenario questions, you just have to hope you know the right answer! Sorry if I am not much help, but by the end of next week I will have 2 interviews under my belt and maybe then I can give you some tips! :) Good Luck w/ everything!!

Mattie

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Hey mattie123,

Thanks for the reply. What specialty are the units you are interviewing for? I'm assuming you applied for the June cohort.

I'm suprised they aren't following their schedule (I was emailed by the nurse recruitor of the dates they inform applicants of interviews 4/5-4/16 and interview 4/26-4/30). You must be doing something right! Any advice after your interviews would be of great help.

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Specializes in cardiology.

Yes! I applied for the June cohort and my specialty is medsurge, cardiac medsure, and trauma medsurge. I think that's why I've been given several interview opportunities b/c I didn't over specialize. I'll get back to you by the end of next week, shoot me an email or something next weekend and I can help you out!

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Hey Mattie,

I saw that you're on, but I can't message yet. Anyway, how'd your interviews go? Any tips? I have an interview in 2 weeks. Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU.

I got a call/interview from SMC off of 38th St, I'm sooo excited! This is my second time applying to the Seton Versant Residency, and I did not expect any call backs because of the same thing all of ya'll were hearing about how it's very difficult to get into a specialty. I'm hoping this might work out! Still super nervous, I'm sure it's super competitive...

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Hey RN4LOVE,

When is your interview? Did you apply for NICU? Good luck if you haven't had your interview yet.

If you don't mind me asking, did you have an interview last time you applied?

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Specializes in NICU.

Yes! It is in the NICU. Crazy...I know! It's on Tuesday.

This is my second time applying, and my first interview.

and, Thank you! I hope it goes well!

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Specializes in cardiology.

Hi All!! For anyone who has been following my posts, I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE VERSANT RESIDENCY PROGRAM!! I am now a cardiac medsurge nurse :)

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