Do you like nursing in Texas?

U.S.A. Texas

Published

Hello,

Seems like a bunch of nice people who post here! :)

To make a long story short my brother in law just moved to Denton county. I could not believe the difference from California. Seems like a great place to move with real friendly people, low cost of living compared to California.

My dilemma. Currently I have a California State job as an LVN, fully vested with a job for life with full everything; retirement, benefits, vacations. I am only 35. Do the "Nurses" of Texas like working in Texas? Would you give up a job in another state to work in Texas? Does there seem to be a need for LVN's in Texas or is it difficult to find a job? I have been an LVN since 1997. It seems like its going to be a little headache to endorse to Texas plus the whole moving adventure. Look forward to your postings!

For a new Grad RN I would expect the wage to more lower. Does your salary increase with experience though?? I would expect around 18-20/hr. but what would an RN expect after a few years of experience???

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Yes.

Bryan/College Station is a very good place to be a nurse. Competitive facilities as far as salaries go, close to the big cities.

Small town feel w/ 24 hr stores. Great schools (well, in CS, anyway).

I love it.

This is my home. I could probably make 5 dollars an hour better in lots of places, but I couldn't live 5 dollars an hour better in any of them.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Im in the DFW area - Not far from Denton. There are plenty of great nursing opportunities here - don't let what you hear about Texas in general make your decision for you, it is vastly different from place to place and facility to facility.

Experience as an RN will pay 25-30 an hour, I hear new grads in Dallas are making around 21. Fort Worth is comparble but slightly lower.

Presby/Harris/Texas health Resources has better benfits, retirement, education reimbursement and other things than the HCA facilities have. THR has a facility they just opened in Denton. Pay scales will be lower out there than in Dallas, but LVN's will have an easier time getting hired out there (in a hospital that is) than in Dallas.

Group One background chacks are no problem for most folks - I wouldn't let that keep you away either. Some people have had issues - I have a friend who is fighting them now, but it hasnt caused her to be unable to work anywhere.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Group One only operates at 1 of the four major nursing employers in the Bryan/CS area.

I wouldn't work for a group one facility, not because I'm concerned about what they'd say about me, but on the principle of it. If no nurse would work under such conditions, they'd have to change the way they operate.

And Group One is very anti-nursing.

It's not a matter if I COULD work for them. It's the fact that they don't DESERVE my services or loyalty.

Group One will be THE reason that Unions finally come to Dallas, and so, to Texas at large. And when employers are dealing w/ issues such as binding arbitration and large scale contracts, they can only thank themselves for their short-sidedness.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Unfortuantely - since GroupOne is essiantly run by the DFW hospital council, if you want to live in DFW and work as a nurse, that isn't an option.

I agree with your premise but reality is.....

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

You know...I just looked at something - it appears they also do salary surveys for the member facilities.

Now I may be mistaken - but wouldnt this constitute some kind of price fixing violation if member facilities are using this data to set pay scales?

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Unfortuantely - since GroupOne is essiantly run by the DFW hospital council, if you want to live in DFW and work as a nurse, that isn't an option.

I agree with your premise but reality is.....

Like I said, B/CS is a great place to live. And if you want to go to Dallas, it's a day trip . . .

You should move here.

LOL.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Not willing to move - hubbys *very* well paying job just is not available down there!

Besides - I wear burnt Orange proudly - I'd be lynched in C/S LOL

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What about Austin or San Antonio? I am new to nursing and I have no idea what GroupOne is or the concept of it....can anyone explain?

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Specializes in ICU.

No Group One in Austin.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Salaries are a lot less in Austin and SA - I would have taken a 10.00 an hour cut in pay to move - and housing was actually (surprisingly) more in Austin than it was in Dallas - but housing is much cheaper in SA.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.

I've been in the DFW area for 8 years and have been hired by 3 different facilities. GroupOne has never been an issue for me.

I have 11 years of experience & make $30/hr in Collin County.

................and who mentioned burnt orange? :uhoh21:

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