New Grad Moving to Houston, Job Until I get Licensed?

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I just graduated from a BSN Nursing school in MI and will be relocating to Houston TX in the next month. I will be siting for my NCLEX in MI then applying for reciprocity for TX. It will probably be a while before I am licensed in TX. Is it possible to apply for PCA positions or Nurse extern positions just so I can work and get in with a hospital while I wait for my license to go through? I just don't want to be jobless for 4 months and I would also like to make contacts in the health world. I'm just not sure a hospital would waste time hiring me as a PCA knowing I would be an RN shortly after I was trained. Does anyone have any advice for someone in my position? Thank you in advanced for any help you can offer me!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

What area of the state are you moving to? Answers to your question will vary dramatically by geographical location. In large urban areas, nurse extern position is doubtful as those are very limited and usually snapped up by students doing clinical rotations in that facility. PCA may be an option, but you would have to check with each facility. If you're moving to a lesser populated area or smaller city, you may have much better luck.

Question? If you are sure about moving to TX, why not just take NCLEX here? It would seem that the whole 'reciprocity' thing would just add more time & delay to obtaining your TX license.

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I am moving to Houston. I am applying for my license initially in MI because I do not have a TX divers license yet and It was much less paperwork. Thank you for your response :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Don't mean to butt in here but I did almost the exact same thing as you last may. Graduated with BSN in MI and relocated to Houston in June. I sat for my boards here in TX with a MI drivers license. It was no issue at all. All I had to do was fill out the paperwork on the TX BON website etc; change my address on my license after i got it but that was no biggie. I already had an RN job lined up in the med center prior to being licensed. I couldn't start until I had a TX license they made it very clear. IDK where you want to work but PCA jobs in the med center are few and far between and would probably go to a CNA or MA before they would go to you quite honestly. I would look for jobs here, take NCLEX here, and be able to tell employers exactly when you will have your tx license. But best of luck whatevr you decide to do-- my hubby and I are loving the snow less winter :)

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Specializes in NICU.

I did something like this last June. I graduated from Minnesota, took my boards in North Dakota, and then moved to Houston and started working. I was able to start working as a RN here while I was going through the paperwork to get it switched to a Texas RN license. ND is a compact state as is Texas, so you are allowed a certain amount of time to work in the state before you get a permanent license. Texas was also very fast at getting me a temp license while waiting for my permanent one. Good luck to you!

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hello, if you look very well there are some hospitals hiring for interns and new grads, that I heard of and that might be a good opening for you since your coming to houston. LOL good luck

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@JRich- I just moved to Houston from Maryland for a new RN job. Can you please give me the website where I can start to apply for my TX license. Do I need a TX driver license first? Thanks!

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Oh im so happy when i see my fellow nurses being hired here in houston. I really need help with a job. Ive applied to tons of grad programs but Ive gotten no response. Im so ready to start working if only given the opportunity. My friend suggested this site cos thats how she got her job so if theres anyone out there willing to help, please consider me. Thanks

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Most major hospitals acquire new grads about 2 times a year, May/June and Dec/Jan. During these times they train them all together. When I first graduated, I was hired with no license but was to sit for the NClex with a few months. I acquired a GN permit and was paid by the hospital while doing orientation and studying for my exam. Hope that helps.

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Hey Guys! I am currently doing the same thing! I graduated with my BSN in New York, and starting job hunting soon after. Its been 6 months and, and no luck. I am going through the process of getting my RN license endorsed! Very easy process, everything can be done online except the fingerprinting.

Few questions. How did you guys get a RN job there? Did you move there first? I am currently submitting applications online. Im not quite ready to just move to Texas, without having a job lined up for me.

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Specializes in NICU.

Texas board of nursing is the website. I would suggest not getting a pca job first if it is at a hospital you want ot work at. A lot of the hospitals require you to be there for 6 months before you can transfer departments.

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