Moving to Houston from Minnesota

[kcsq]

I'm currently doing an accelerated LPN program and will be doing an LPN-RN mobility program immediately after. Which means only a two year RN degree. My family is looking at moving to the NW side of the Houston area in Spring 2016 (I should graduate Winter 2015), but I'm curious if we should wait.

My husband is thinking of moving a year earlier to get himself established in his new position before I get there-so I wouldn't have much of an issue of being a non-resident (I hope).

I saw in a different thread that most 2 year RN's are being looked over as new grads. So I'm wondering if it would be better to work for a year here in MN before moving, or if that would do more harm than good? ( getting a job knowing I'll be leaving so quickly).

Or are there jobs available to new 2 year grads that I would have the ability to work and do an RN-BSN program (in TX)at the same time? If that is a possibility, what schools in the Houston area are recommended for that program? I looked at a few schools when we were there last March, but wasn't impressed with what I was seeing. Any advice from residents or current students on schools with an RN-BSN program, job availability, etc would be much appreciated!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Lack of a BSN will be a major obstacle for acute care employment in the Houston metro area. I don't know what you meant by your statement of "I wasn't impressed" by nursing schools in the area.... but Houston has several top rated university-based nursing programs and they are producing a continuous supply of BSN grads. If you are open to working in a non-acute environment & have some RN experience, it will be a lot easier to find a job, particularly if you are willing to work in areas outside NW Houston.

I also wanted to point out that establishing residency to qualify for in-state tuition at a state university will take a year. YOU will have to live there for a year, not your family. You will be asked for proof of residency that validates your status.