Moving to TX from PA

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Hi guys,

So I had a question regarding Texas and the different hospitals in the area and their GN programs etc ...

I am a graduate nurse looking to make a move over to Texas from Philly. I am licensed in DE (my home state) and awaiting PA to give me a license through endorsement but it's taking too long and honestly I'm a little upset with the hospitals around here and their hiring processes/requirements. since I have family in Texas and my DE license is a compact I decided to throw out some apps for hospitals around the Austin and Killeen area just for giggles and I've gotten much better results than Philly.

Nort Austin Medical Center recently touched bases with me about my application for their residency program in the ER and I am awaiting to go forward with interviews/ etc. I know this doesn't in any way mean I have a job with them but like I said, it's better than what I've been dealing with in Philly.

my my biggest issue/concerns is when speaking with HR at North Austin the residency program starts next month so I would have to pack up and go to TX a little quicker than expected, that, and the pay is really low, 22.02/hour. I did some research and saw Austin pays less than other areas and demand is high for jobs so I'm taking it as a blessing that they are even considering me. But to me 22.02 is a little low, even for Austin.

on top of North Austin Medical I also reached out to Metroplex Hospital in Killeen about their residency program. I already spoke with the head educator - which I felt was a great conversation and she sent me information for the program ahead of them posting the openings for GNs (they won't be available to see till next month and their residency program doesn't start till February)

so my dilemma and question right now is whether I should take a job with North Austin (if they even consider me) or try and wait it out for Metroplex in February and even Scott and White in Temple who also starts a residency program in Feb as well. I'm really unfamiliar with the difference hospitals so I guess some insight would help with them too - like whether the pay is better there etc.

Sory for the long post and thanks to anyone that read it and responds! :)

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

I think you should take the offer you currently have, even if the pay is paltry. It will not kill you to earn $22/hr for one year before moving on to a position that will pay significantly more.

If you pass this opportunity up, there's no guarantee that anything else will come to fruition. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Austin hospitals are swamped with hopeful new grads on a continuous basis. Same goes for Houston & DFW metro areas. Salaries are largely based on supply & demand, so I don't expect the current rates will change any time soon. Overall, housing costs are higher & nursing salaries are lower in Austin. It's not exactly my fave part of the state -- population is mostly politicians & recent arrivals - LOL.

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Specializes in ER, PCU, UCC, Observation medicine.

A little off topic but where did you go to school in Philly. I attended West Chester and Widener for my degrees. I'm out in the Dallas area now since 2012. Love it here. Pay is higher here than where you are looking.

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I actually graduated from a Delaware school and moved to Philly last year. The state BON has still hasn't given me my license through endorsement (been about a month) including my temp í ½í¸¡

I heard Dallas is nice but I think if I move out to TX I'm going to try to keep it a little smaller than Philly city wise. hence why I liked Austin till I saw the poor salary.

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see that upsets me with the Austin lay because it's a beautiful city and i loved all of the surrounding area.

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Specializes in ER, PCU, UCC, Observation medicine.
I actually graduated from a Delaware school and moved to Philly last year. The state BON has still hasn't given me my license through endorsement (been about a month) including my temp ������

I heard Dallas is nice but I think if I move out to TX I'm going to try to keep it a little smaller than Philly city wise. hence why I liked Austin till I saw the poor salary.

I would call the Bon, it is August so they may be just processing all the hundreds of new grad licenses that graduated in May. Dallas reminds me a lot with the size of Philly but it flows better. There is no equivalent of the Schukyll Expressway. lol. Austin is nice, but don't expect to buy any real estate. it's mainly all rental properties there. Good luck!!

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I would call the Bon, it is August so they may be just processing all the hundreds of new grad licenses that graduated in May. Dallas reminds me a lot with the size of Philly but it flows better. There is no equivalent of the Schukyll Expressway. lol. Austin is nice, but don't expect to buy any real estate. it's mainly all rental properties there. Good luck!!

ive called 3x and they say they have a 25 buisness day grace period or whatever so I can start flipping and they won't look into it till then. :/ I'll keep an eye out for Dallas jobs too then just in case. and thanks, I still think I'm a while off from buying. don't want to fully commit to an area cause I'm a big travel bug.

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