where are the most new grad opportunities?

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My husband and I wish to relocate from CO to TX. Where are there RN new grad jobs? We are looking for somewhere long term, not just some crappy place that needs nurses to get experience. My husband is liking Austin but I heard that it's a rough market right now. Any thoughts are much appreciated!

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I heard in another thread somewhere that San Antonio is the big one, but since I came into this forum for basically the same information you are requesting, I'll see what others have to say. In the meantime, I going to search for jobs in San Antonio and see what comes up.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Howdy! I'm so glad you are considering Texas. We are still new grad friendly here in Houston. We have a very diverse economic base, so we haven't been as hard hit as other areas. However, most of the new grad internships have shrunk by about 50% in the last year or so and very few places are offering any type of relocation assistance. On the 'plus' side - no state income tax. Also, remember that your relocation expenses, including trips for house-hunting or job interviews, would be (federal) tax deductible because it's for a new job.

Have you had any opportunity to actually visited Texas yet? It's my home, and I wouldn't voluntarily live anywhere else but I do realize that it's not everyone's cup of tea.

I would suggest that you try to become more acquainted with the city in which you wish to live. For instance, the San Antonio (my home town) population is largely Hispanic. Houston is extremely diverse. The climate may be a factor - Houston is tropical, SA is very dry, Austin is more like Co while the Dallas-Fort Worth area has much more distinct seasons. Housing prices are great compared to most other states but Austin is the most costly right now. Are you into the arts scene? Austin is known for small venue performances - many local bands and many national tours stop there. Houston has a larger theater community than Chi or NY in terms of venues & seats as well as a resident ballet company & symphony. Lots of stuff to consider. If you plan on staying long term, I would advise you to investigate more than just the job market. I'd hate for you to be unhappy with your move.

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Thanks guys! We are really looking for a great place to raise our family. My son is 7 months and I don't want him to move around all the time the way I did growing up. Houston might be a little too humid for the hubby but I love it! I have alot of family in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and an uncle in SA so I've been there and would not mind either place. I was just trying to get a feel for the market. Here in CO it is near impossible to get hired on as a new grad and I was told it was that way in all large cities. We will be taking a trip down next month to check things out, I just thought I'd put out some feelers to you folks!

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Howdy! I'm so glad you are considering Texas. We are still new grad friendly here in Houston. We have a very diverse economic base, so we haven't been as hard hit as other areas. However, most of the new grad internships have shrunk by about 50% in the last year or so and very few places are offering any type of relocation assistance. On the 'plus' side - no state income tax. Also, remember that your relocation expenses, including trips for house-hunting or job interviews, would be (federal) tax deductible because it's for a new job.

Have you had any opportunity to actually visited Texas yet? It's my home, and I wouldn't voluntarily live anywhere else but I do realize that it's not everyone's cup of tea.

I would suggest that you try to become more acquainted with the city in which you wish to live. For instance, the San Antonio (my home town) population is largely Hispanic. Houston is extremely diverse. The climate may be a factor - Houston is tropical, SA is very dry, Austin is more like Co while the Dallas-Fort Worth area has much more distinct seasons. Housing prices are great compared to most other states but Austin is the most costly right now. Are you into the arts scene? Austin is known for small venue performances - many local bands and many national tours stop there. Houston has a larger theater community than Chi or NY in terms of venues & seats as well as a resident ballet company & symphony. Lots of stuff to consider. If you plan on staying long term, I would advise you to investigate more than just the job market. I'd hate for you to be unhappy with your move.

Howdy, Back at ya! he..he. Oh, geesh, I'm in for a culture shock. lol.

I'm from New Jersey. I've only stopped in Texas (Houston I believe) during a fly-over to California. Not to invoke that dreaded buzz word, "flyover country." I don't really like referring to my fellow citizens so dismissively. I know Austin is the live musical capital of the United States or one of them. In addition to having my RN license, I also have a degree in visual arts and play guitar to boot. So, ideally, I would like to land in Austin too. But, unfortunately, I'm not feeling that I can be too discriminatory as to where I wind up. The most important thing is that I find gainful employment and soon. I'm sure that Texas, while maybe not my cup of tea entirely, has many new and interesting experiences to offer me wherever they may be.

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Where at in CO . I moved to San Antonio, from CO Springs about 4 yrs ago....Dont miss the cold at all-you may look into Baptist Hospitals here in SA

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Specializes in Dialysis.

You should check out Addison, TX which is in the DFW area. I read that it is one of the safest places to live and there are hospitals aplenty in the DFW area. Good luck!

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Specializes in General Med-Surg.

I just got a job in the medical center in Houston as a professional student nurse. The hospital told me that they last hired 26 new nurses, however they typically hire their student nurses as GN's before other new graduates. There are about 18 student nurses, so I guess that would leave about 8 open positions for a new nurse (assuming all student nurses got hired on...).

I asked them why there is such a problem for new nurses, and they said that the new graduate nurses typically stay with the hospital only 1-3 years. It's very expensive to train a new nurse, and for the 1st year they make around $21/hr. Many of the new graduates are young (around 22 or so), and have never had jobs before. After they begin working as a nurse they realize it's not for them, etc...or they end up pregnant and don't want to work.

I would just be sure you have a job secured before moving to TX because there are a lot of new nurses in TX that are also looking for jobs...

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San Antonio trains the better part of South Texas. We have one of the largest internship programs at Methodist. We're starting two cohorts next month for a total of 75 GNs. Last year it was almost double.

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I just got a job in the medical center in Houston as a professional student nurse. The hospital told me that they last hired 26 new nurses, however they typically hire their student nurses as GN's before other new graduates. There are about 18 student nurses, so I guess that would leave about 8 open positions for a new nurse (assuming all student nurses got hired on...).

I asked them why there is such a problem for new nurses, and they said that the new graduate nurses typically stay with the hospital only 1-3 years. It's very expensive to train a new nurse, and for the 1st year they make around $21/hr. Many of the new graduates are young (around 22 or so), and have never had jobs before. After they begin working as a nurse they realize it's not for them, etc...or they end up pregnant and don't want to work.

I would just be sure you have a job secured before moving to TX because there are a lot of new nurses in TX that are also looking for jobs...

21 dollars an hour is VERY low. Not sure about the comment of the nurses being young. I work in a major hospital in the Medical center, and I will say on average, the average age of a GN on my unit (ER) is about 35. Not too young. I think the market in Houston is probably the best, but they do have a lot to chose from with all the local nursing schools. Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I wouldn't say the job market in Houston is all that great for New RN's. I don't know what HR's are looking for but as someone with good grades in my BSN program, medical experience and social work experience it's hard. I don't know what I will do if I don't get on somewhere soon. Most hospitals are only hiring a few here and there.

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Folks,

Take it from us old timers. I have never worked in the medical field before, so I've never made more than $12/ hr before. Give me $21 and I'll be the happiest man on earth. It's not about the money. It's about caring for others for me anyway.

Yeah, I've worked construction, fueled airplanes, security guard, etc. I wish that I had the opportunity to go to nursing school years ago, I would have jumped at it. But yeah I'd be happy with $21/hr.

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