A few more questions before moving to Texas.

vamedic4, EMT-P · Oct 17, 2007

John,

I know my facility starts new grads at $21/hour, so you can expect a few dollars more given your experience - RNs are in need, so there's no need for you to accept thier first offering with regard to wages.

I work at a level I peds trauma facility in Dallas, and the teamwork here is better than average. If you want more details, PM me. The ratios are anywhere from 3:1 to 5:1 (non ICU) depending on your area. The higher your acuity, the lower the ratio. I've been here a looonnnng time and never have I seen nor heard of a nurse with more than 5.

All the best,

vamedic4;)

John123 · Oct 26, 2007

Is Plano Medical Center a nice place to work? I may apply there. Do you think I can get a job over the phone interview in Texas? Thanks. Peter

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 26, 2007

Hi guys:
Here in AZ, we have 4-5 patients in tele dept, 5 patients in Med/Surg dept. How about Dallas area?
Which hospitals you guys recommend? I am looking for a good team work environment.
I have 3 yrs experience, how much I will be getting paid working at acute hospital in Texas. Thank you all!
John

I am a native Arizonan and was a nurse in AZ for years before moving to Texas. Imo, standards of care are much lower, and nurses are treated much worse in TX.

Also, the Dallas area has Group1- a punitive organization which serves as a blacklist against nurses. I've had no run-ins with them, but I've had a couple of friends whose careers were almost ruined by them. Do a search under the Texas forum for Group1 Group 1 GroupeOne and Group One to find many threads here on allnurses with info about Group1.

In south Texas, I was given 9-13 pts in med surg, nocs. No LVN, no CNA no unit clerk. It was awful, and I quit after three months.

Others may disagree with me, but leaving AZ for TX was awful for my career, and job satisfaction.

RN1989 · Oct 26, 2007

Don't know where anyone in DFW is getting 5:1 ratio on the floors. Thus far have not seen appropriate staffing in DFW. And teamwork is elusive. Cost of living in DFW is high compared to the salaries. Do yourself a favor and stay in AZ.

vamedic4, EMT-P · Oct 28, 2007

Sorry that's the case everywhere else, I work in a peds hospital. No crazy staffing ratios here. I agree with other posters, having had loved ones in the hospital and knowing how busy "adult" nurses are, I'd stay in AZ too if I were wanting to work in that arena.

John123 · Oct 29, 2007

I live in Phoenix area. I only get four patient in tele dept. Nurses get 5 pt if they work at med/surg. Always have CNAs to help. No complaints about working conditions here. I just hate the desert. That is why I want to move to Texas.

Now, I have to think twice now before I move to Texas. I don't want to get swamped on my job every day. Is this real you get a lots ot patients in med/surg or tele units in DFW area? Thank you all! John

RN1989 · Oct 29, 2007

If you have no reason to move to DFW like family and you have ratios like you are quoting.....DO NOT MOVE! The hospitals in DFW that I have been in are 5-7 on tele and 6-8/9 on medsurg. If there is a CNA for the day, they are getting 10-20 pts apiece. One floor I went shared their secretary with another floor every day that I was there.

I have friends that have moved to TX from other states and they have been horrified at what they have had to get used to. TX is so much worse overall than a lot of other places. I have already lost one friend - she went back to her homestate because she wasn't willing to get accustomed to the crap in TX.

John123 · Oct 29, 2007

Thank you RN1989:

Sounds like AZ is a good place for RNs. I worked at different medical centers here. I always have four patients each day on my tele unit. Plus, I have a CNA, secretary, and charge RN to help.

Texas has cheap housing price, not a desert. Moving there was my plan. Now I don't know where I can to move to I just don't like the desert.

ethelbsnrn · Oct 30, 2007

If you have no reason to move to DFW like family and you have ratios like you are quoting.....DO NOT MOVE! The hospitals in DFW that I have been in are 5-7 on tele and 6-8/9 on medsurg. If there is a CNA for the day, they are getting 10-20 pts apiece. One floor I went shared their secretary with another floor every day that I was there.
I have friends that have moved to TX from other states and they have been horrified at what they have had to get used to. TX is so much worse overall than a lot of other places. I have already lost one friend - she went back to her homestate because she wasn't willing to get accustomed to the crap in TX.

I am afraid this is true...where I work in Midland, TX.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2007

Working conditions are generally awful in TX. I'm forced to live here, but I don't work here any more. I became a traveler. I do most of my contracts in AZ.

There are lots of places in AZ that are not desert. There are ski resorts and pine forrests in northern AZ.

RN1989 · Oct 30, 2007

AMEN! But right now I am feeling so overwhelmed with it all. I have been debating about joining because I've spent so many years involved in PACs and haven't seen much get done. If I were out in CA, you bet I'd be on the front lines because with so much support, one person doesn't get beat down. But here in TX, I get tired of beating my head against the wall, suffering career setbacks because I won't give in. Don't get me wrong, I ALWAYS do the right thing where ever I am when it involves me. But I get so tired of trying to fight for all the scared and apathetic nurses when they won't even be civil at work, much less do the right thing. Maybe I need to join just to get some "spiritual" refreshment. The day that I marched on Washington with thousands of other nurses was one of the proudest days of my career. I miss that feeling of camaraderie and marching for the common good. Being with nurses who weren't afraid. But few nurses there were from TX. TX nurses either don't think it's worth their while or they are afraid, or simply to tired to fight anymore. It sure feels like a no-win battle some days. I wish we had never had the unfortunate experience of living in DFW that's for sure. So far, that's the worst place in TX I've worked in.