Dfw new nurse...

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I will be graduating in June with my BSN from Utah. I have family in McKinney Texas that will help me with a place to stay for a while so I can pay off my loans... So a few questions then. If I take my nclex in Utah will it be ok to work in Texas since tx is part of the compact? Also what can I expect for starting nurse wages in the Dfw area (McKinney area would be great but I can commute). Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Congratulations on your accomplishment!

It seems that you have a great plan for launching your career & whittling away at those student loans. Kudos to your family for supporting you through this process. HERE is a document that outlines the compact licensure process. As you can see, you will have a 30 day window in which you will still be able to practice with your Utah license, but you do have to apply for your Texas license.

In order to do this, you will have to pass the online Texas Jurisprudence exam. There is also a prep course online. It's not difficult, but it is necessary for anyone seeking a license in TX. Our nurse practice act is unique in many aspects, and this is how we can ensure that everyone holding a TX license understands all the rules.

Wishing you the best of luck on your job search & relocation.

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Congratulations on your accomplishment!

It seems that you have a great plan for launching your career & whittling away at those student loans. Kudos to your family for supporting you through this process. HERE is a document that outlines the compact licensure process. As you can see, you will have a 30 day window in which you will still be able to practice with your Utah license, but you do have to apply for your Texas license.

In order to do this, you will have to pass the online Texas Jurisprudence exam. There is also a prep course online. It's not difficult, but it is necessary for anyone seeking a license in TX. Our nurse practice act is unique in many aspects, and this is how we can ensure that everyone holding a TX license understands all the rules.

Wishing you the best of luck on your job search & relocation.

thank you so much for the info! I'm am trying to set up a spread sheet will all the costs of moving too see if this is the best financial decision for me... I will continue to do research and look forward to more help from the AN community!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Starting wages for new grad RNs in the D/FW area are in the $23 to $26 range per hour. In this region, you are expected to apply to hospital new grad positions approximately three to four months prior to your graduation date.

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Good I can do that! I have a month off in March too where I will be able to visit and get a feel of the job market too I'm hoping

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

There are some great new grad opportunities in the DFW area. Good luck!

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Just so you know DFW posts jobs rather quickly in the last semester. So far I know Children's (Dallas), Cook Children's (Fort Worth), UTSW (Dallas), JPS (Fort Worth), and Texas Health Resources (various locations in DFW) have posted. I think they're all still open but just wanted to give you a heads up! And I believe Baylor will post Febrary 15th if I remember correctly, and they do have a McKinney location.

Best of luck! :geek:

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Thank you RAndaRoo, I have been scouring the internet constantly but it wont make a difference until I can pass NCLEX lol. I just wanted a good idea if the move would be worth it financially to pay off loans and if I could get a job when I graduate.

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Thank you RAndaRoo, I have been scouring the internet constantly but it wont make a difference until I can pass NCLEX lol. I just wanted a good idea if the move would be worth it financially to pay off loans and if I could get a job when I graduate.

You can still accept a job before you pass! I graduate in May and already accepted a position that starts in July. As long as I graduate and pass NCLEX before the start date.

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Thank you RAndaRoo, I have been scouring the internet constantly but it wont make a difference until I can pass NCLEX lol. I just wanted a good idea if the move would be worth it financially to pay off loans and if I could get a job when I graduate.

You need to be applying now because like she said they will close once they are filled. I believe Parkland opens theirs in March but most of the others will be filled more than likely because they fill pretty quickly.

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JPS Ft. Worth is now open also. They are Level 1 Trauma

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I have been scouring the internet constantly but it wont make a difference until I can pass NCLEX lol.
In the DFW area, hiring occurs before you pass NCLEX. You are expected to apply three to four months prior to graduation, or you will miss out on the new grad training programs. In other parts of the country they won't look at your application until you pass NCLEX, but this region is different.

And the only way into the hospital setting as a new grad in this area is a new grad training program.

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