Is it me or Is it hard to find jobs in Texas?

Published

I read alot of the post asking about finding jobs in Texas. Im from Chicago with hopes of eventually moving to Dallas, but i'm skeptical with all the post about having a hard time finding lobs. Is it just new grads having problems or what. Im an Rn with experience. I was just wondering what is really the deal? Can someone please inform me?:confused:

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

The nursing job market in the Dallas area has become tighter and more competitive over the past three years due to many factors.

First of all, the area has plenty of nursing programs that crank multiple new nurses out into the job market every few months. Second of all, nurses from around the U.S. have been relocating to Dallas over the past few years. I am originally from California, and have met experienced nurses who have moved here from Oregon, Iowa, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, and many other states. Lastly, the sluggish economy has impacted hiring practices for the worst.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I totally agree with The Commuter. Landing a job in one of our major metro areas is not a sure thing any more unless you have some mad skills in an in-demand subspecialty. However, we're a reeeeallllllly big state, so even though it's tough in (maybe) 20 counties, there are still another 234 counties in which to work. However, they may not appeal to you if you are dead set on staying in a metro area similar to Chicago.

I would caution you not to make a move until you have at least made a few visits and have a job lined up for sure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg.
The nursing job market in the Dallas area has become tighter and more competitive over the past three years due to many factors.

First of all, the area has plenty of nursing programs that crank multiple new nurses out into the job market every few months. Second of all, nurses from around the U.S. have been relocating to Dallas over the past few years. I am originally from California, and have met experienced nurses who have moved here from Oregon, Iowa, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, and many other states. Lastly, the sluggish economy has impacted hiring practices for the worst.

I have a cousin who is a LPN in dialysis. She just accepted a traveling nurse position to the Dallas area with great pay and benefits. Why are they hiring traveling nurses if they have so many nurses looking for jobs? She has only been a LPN since 2009, although she was a dialysis tech for 6 years prior to that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I have a cousin who is a LPN in dialysis. She just accepted a traveling nurse position to the Dallas area with great pay and benefits. Why are they hiring traveling nurses if they have so many nurses looking for jobs? She has only been a LPN since 2009, although she was a dialysis tech for 6 years prior to that.

If she has experience in dialysis, this is probably why she was hired. Many dialysis centers no longer want to spend $10,000 or more to train, precept, and orient a new grad that will probably quit the job within the first year. It is more cost-effective to hire nurses who already have dialysis experience. In addition, many facilities like travelers because they can see the fruit of the labor without directly providing the expensive benefits. It is the travel agency who often provides the costly benefits.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MedSurg, Clinic, ER.

As mentioned above, there are lots of options other than the big cities... i work in a rural hospital that serves an entire county along with one other hospital and I know for a fact they're looking for RNs and LVNs all the time. Probably not the same pay you might find in a big city, but drastically lower cost of living here too... so it kind of balances out. They also offer a scholarship for contract program to employees that entirely pays the cost of improving your education (ie PCA to LVN or RN.. LVN to RN.. etc)... along with awesome insurance benefits. No, it's not as intense as a bigger hospital... but if you need a job, consider a smaller hospital. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

I agree with the others. Get out of the major cities and you'll find it easier to find a position. I landed a ICU nurse internship at a Level 1 trauma hospital with a 70-bed ICU...that's also located (and I quote the director of the ICU) "in the middle of a cornfield"..lol Great hospital...good pay (compared to some of the salaries in the metro cities) but not in Dallas or Houston. I'm also coming from NJ.

Even though I had a pretty good chance in San Antonio (through a meeting with the manager of a friend), the experience at my hospital (Scott & White in Temple, Texas) is my dream position at my dream hospital. And I'd take that any day.

If you MUSt remain in a metro city, look at the LTAC hospitals (Long Term Acute Care). If I didn't land my position, those were going to be my next choices.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Stroke.
I agree with the others. Get out of the major cities and you'll find it easier to find a position. I landed a ICU nurse internship at a Level 1 trauma hospital with a 70-bed ICU...that's also located (and I quote the director of the ICU) "in the middle of a cornfield"..lol Great hospital...good pay (compared to some of the salaries in the metro cities) but not in Dallas or Houston. I'm also coming from NJ.

Even though I had a pretty good chance in San Antonio (through a meeting with the manager of a friend), the experience at my hospital (Scott & White in Temple, Texas) is my dream position at my dream hospital. And I'd take that any day.

If you MUSt remain in a metro city, look at the LTAC hospitals (Long Term Acute Care). If I didn't land my position, those were going to be my next choices.

Oh my gosh! Lovelymo79 you have landed one of my choice internship dreams! Please share w/me how you managed to land that position? Did you have some outstanding credentials as a new grad? I would appreciate any advise that could put me on the right track to securing one of the S&W internships once I'm qualified to apply! Advise really appreciated! Thank you so much!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

Nothing special. I visited the hospital...showed how enthused and knowledgeable about the hospital I was...showed that I was GENUINELY interested in moving to Texas from NJ. No outstanding credentials. Good grades..but I think what worked for me was that I have worked as a nursing assistant for a year and a ER tech for almost a year and I had lots of experiences to share with the interviewers. Also, I was ENTHUSIASTIC..which I think shows an interviewer a lot. Oh..and I prayed.:yeah:

I just believe that if you want something bad enough, you'll go after it RELENTLESSLY.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi everyone! I'm currently employed in New York and I may be relocating to Dallas. Right now I am in an FNP program and won't be moving until I finish and am licensed as an FNP as well. Does anyone know how the job market is out there for either a RN or FNP? and pay rate?:twocents: thanks!:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No offense to anyone out of state, but we have enough nurses in TX that are vying for nursing jobs here. There are many GNs competing for internships and experienced RNs looking for jobs too. I know that our Governor has said that we are #1 on job growth in the US, but just like the media saying their is a nursing shortage, it just isn't so.

That being said, I wish you all the best and hope you find what you are looking for.

Sc

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Stepdown/IMU, full-time Night shift charge.

I came from Mississippi to Texas in May to look for a job. I have 3 years Med-Surg experience. I went to two hospitals in Northwest Houston suburbia, received two interviews, one on the spot, and have been offered two jobs. Took the first job offered, moved the next week, and started the week after the move. I'd say 2 for 2 is pretty good and the pay is 8-9 bucks more than experienced RNs receive in Jackson MS.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion