Looking to move to Texas

U.S.A. Texas

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Hi All,

Currently pursuing my BSN and will be done in about 2 years. My husband and I are looking to move to Texas and I would like to get information on some good hospitals in Texas. Wanting to live in either Dallas or Arlington (have received some good feedback on Arlington area) I was doing some research on line about Parkland Hospital and Baylor University Medical Center. Based on these 2 hospitals which one would be better/worse.

I would like to work in the ER not sure if that is possible with a new grad. I want to eventually be a Trauma ER Nurse. Like most hospitals since ER is fast paced they would prefer no new grads and other nurses I know say it's better to work on a Med/Surg unit before going to the ER.

Please any thoughts or suggestions on the hospital and good places to live. My children will be in college so school is not an issue.

Thanks

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Is there any particular reason you are planning to move here - other than more plentiful jobs? I'm asking, because nursing jobs - especially for new grads - are not very available in the DFW area. Texas is a huge state, with many other options. Nursing jobs are readily available in medium-to-small cities, but not so much in the metro areas.

Starting out in an ED is entirely possible for a new grad, but I certainly would not recommend it in a major trauma center like Parkland... that's the major leagues. You'd be better off trying for a less intense atmosphere - get your self established first & then work up to the big time. Actually, I am not that familiar with DFW area hiring practices, but in most areas (Houston included) there is such a high demand for trauma center ED jobs that they can pick & choose from the best experienced nurses when there is a (rare) job opening.

Best of luck on your relocation. Where are you moving from?

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I am wanting to move to a warmer climate as I have lived in Illinois all my life. My kids will be going off to college in just a couple of years. I looked at Atlanta and even Florida. My hope is to have at least 2 years of ER experience under my belt at a hospital in my area. Are there any other hospitals in the Texas you would recommend I look into? What do you think about Ben Taub?

Thanks again for your feedback I truly appreciate it.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Parkland and Baylor are both fantastic hospitals for learning at. Unfortunately that also means super massive competitive to get into as a new graduate. Most who manage to get positions there have worked there through school in their externships.

The major cities in Texas are all pretty saturated at this point and new grad jobs are scarce. Yes, the hospitals still hire a few new grads, which is where, I suspect, the reputation that Texas still has jobs is coming from. The other side of that coin is that there are tons of schools cranking out new graduate nurses every 3 months or so, making standards high and competition extremely fierce for those new grad jobs.

If you are just wanting a warmer climate I would suggest you look at the smaller cities or more rural areas to start out.

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It sounds like we have a lot in common... I graduated with my BSN & moved from IL to Dallas this past December. I also want to work in the ED.

I hate to say it but the job market here is a nightmare for new grads! I graduated with honor, was the student government VP, did related volunteer work, have letters of recommendation from instructors, etc and I am currently unemployed. There are many ED Internships but each position has hundreds of applicants.

If you do decide to move to the city you need to try getting an externship and/or work as a CNA while in school. I think that would help you stand out against all the other new grads. You need to apply to internships before you graduate but make sure you know exactly when and where you are moving because recruiters don't take you to serious without a TX address.

I absolutely love living here but if I could do it all over again I would have stayed in IL and worked for a year or two before making the move. Everyone in my graduating class who has applied to jobs has one. From what I've read on this site, the rural areas of TX have more opportunities for new grads so you may also want to consider that option. Good luck in school and feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the Illinois - Texas transition.

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Thanks for the info. Where exactly in Texas are considered the rural areas? Also, what part of Texas do you live in? I would like to have 2 years of experience before I go. I currently work as UC and PCT at a hospital.

What do you know about Ben Taub Hosptial.

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I pretty much have the same desires to move to possibly Texas from Chicago....hope to visit Irving next month...what can you guys tell me about Irving? Im in school for my BSN also, but already have my ADN and have experience as an Rn for 6yrs and LPN experience of 11yrs...so im hoping that will help to get a job and not have to go thru what the new grads have to go thru..which is sad. But I wish all of you guys the best of luck with obtaining a position.

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