FNP Austin, TX

[MarBug7]

Hi All,

I have questions regarding the Nurse Practitioner (FNP) outlook near Austin, TX. I am currently finishing my MSN/FNP in California, graduation in June 2015 (YAYYY!!!). My husband is negotiating a contract for his *dream* job in Austin, TX. We are both originally from California, so it will be a big move, we have never lived anywhere else. I have been a RN for 5 years, inpatient and outpatient experience.

My questions are what are my chances of getting a job in Austin as a brand new FNP with no network? Will it be an absolute hassle for me to switch my license over? Do I sit for boards in California and then switch over, or switch first and sit for boards when I get there?

I am terrified I will have gone through all this work to finally get my FNP and without my network from clinicals, school etc. I will be unemployed, or struggling for months to find a decent job. We have been focused on my career and education for a long time, so it really is his turn, and he absolutely deserves it. I want to give it a fair chance but I am just so worried. I think if I had FNP experience I might feel differently.

Also, if there are any FNP's in Austin who can just give general information about professional climate, employers, etc. I would welcome that also.

Thoughts/experience/opinions? Thank you!

[Anonymous1257]

Salaries for FNPs are on the lower end in Austin, I see a lot of $80's and low $90's offers for FNPs, but there are quite a few openings available. I don't think you'll have too much trouble getting a job, but don't expect to make 6 figures out of the gate like in some areas.

[Tesses]

Start by applying for TX RN license, except you live in one of the compact state. Then, begin working on th NP license.....TX takes a little while. Sit for your boards and apply for TX license, having to transfer will cost more. Post your resume on indeed, simply hired, e.t.c.....recruiters will contact you!..Just make sure you 'sell' yourself on that resume!...Look for less patient load, decent base salary + productivity bonus+benefits ( trust me, I've learned that the hard way). Breathe, stay positive....you will get a job!

[MarBug7]

Thank you so much for the insight and encouragement! It is very reassuring to hear that there are opening available. I am fine with making a little less at the start in order to get the right job.

Tesses- If I understand you correctly, your advice is to apply for TX RN license, and then sit for boards for FNP license in Texas, correct? When you say it takes a while am I looking at 2-3 months or 6+ months for FNP license?

Thank You! Any other comments are welcomed, I need as much insight as I can get!

[bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN]

Not a NP but I work for Scott and white. They have hospitals from Austin up to waco. I looked on our job openings website and there are several openings for NPs. I can get an Austin area recruiters phone number for you if you want. Just PM me if interested. There's also a lot of Seton hospitals in the area if you want to look them up.

Completely off topic but I love the Austin area. Great night life activities downtown and the schools are good if you have kids.

[waiaka]

I lived in Austin for 6 years and worked as a RN for 2 years there before going for my FNP in Houston. It's a great place and you'll love it! Great coffee, relaxed people, outdoors activities, and the most liberal city in Texas. It's almost like a little California in the middle of huge republican state. This is why it's more competitive to find a job there because a lot of young people(and retired Californians) flood the city(and why the pay's less). There are two major hospital systems there: Seton and St.Davids. They both have outpatient clinics and I would check their websites to see if they have any non-acute nurse practitioner positions available.

I also just graduated from FNP program and am exploring opportunities in California! Let's trade positions!