Nurses in: Fla, Tenn, NM, TX--help needed

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Hello

I am thinking of moving to one of these areas: Fla ( north central Fla), NM, TX, Tenn, just sold my home. I am a male nurse- RN, experienced in Hospice nursing and would like to stay in Hospice, LOVE hospice nursing.

Moving from the CCCCCold Midwest to escape winter.

Questions:

1. Anyone have any input in regards to nursing jobs in these areas?

In demand? No demand? Luke warm? Don't bother looking?

2. Any one know how Hospice nursing jobs are there?

3. Any parts of these state's more employable than others for nursing jobs?

4. Places/Employers to AVOID working at?

5. How are the Crime rates?

Places to AVOID living in?

6. I would like to live out in more of a country/quiet setting, what would 125k buy , housing wise?

Any input appreciated.

Thanks

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

What part of Texas are you interested in? We have many very distinctive areas.

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I am open, San Antonia, Austen or other places. I really don't have any restrictions.

I want employ-ability and affordable housing , low crime. ( can spend around 100k on a house)

Prefer to stay in Hospice, love my current job.

The thing that concerns me with moving: getting a job at some sub par hospice (or hospital or what ever) where they treat employees poorly and have high turn over or work you to burn out point. The place I work now is great, its just in Cold weather and I want to move. I am a good nurse, committed to what I do.

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Specializes in Nursing Leadership.

Hello there! And welcome to sunny Florida! The ZERO income tax state! The state with 1,300 hundred miles of coastline! Nothing against Texas, but if you want a life of flip flops and tank tops (aside from your scrubs) this is the place to be! I currently live in the Sarasota area, but have worked hospice both here in and the Miami area. Not sure how things are in North Central Florida but generally there is plenty of work down here. By the way, in Orlando (central FL), there is an AMAZING VA hospital under construction (almost finished) so I would assume there will be lots of palliative/hospice work there very soon.

To answer your questions:

1-3. LOTS of hospice work. In my area, up north, down in Miami, EVERYWHERE! Here are some well known hospices throughout the state that I am familiar with: Tidewell, Suncoast Hospice, Vitas, Catholic Hospice, Seasons, Gentiva, Hospice of West Palm Beach County, Cornerstone.

4 & 5. I prefer working for a not for profit company, but generally I would say they are all close to equal. I wouldn't avoid one over another for any particular reason. As far as not living in any particular area, I would say try to live at least within 1 hour or less to a beach, you will understand why once you move here. Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville, Pensacola, all cities have dangerous areas and safe areas.

6. Hmmmmm, $125K is doable if you look for a condo (near a beach). If you want a house, $125K will put you in an iffy area with no beach nearby.

I too moved here from the cold mid-west. I will never leave this state. The weather is wonderful every day, and there is nothing like swimming in the gulf on Christmas and New Year's Day. There is plenty of work for nurses, and the cost of living is average, definitely less than the cost of living up north. No need for boots, winter coats, 4 seasons of wardrobes, shovels, scarves, hats, etc. Great seafood year round and lots great cities to choose from.

Come down and feel the heat!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

We have lots of coastal beaches here in Texas too. ;) The cost of living in Houston is pretty low, he'd easily get a nice home for 100k here. Lots of hospice jobs, 30 miles from Galveston, low-cost of living. Best medication center in the world. Come on down!

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Thanks for the Info, so your a transplant from up north? I am in Ohio, 8 years Exp in Hospice , have done it all: INPT, Admissions, Triage, home visits, CHPN for 2nd time. Yes I would prefer Non profit as well. Any hospice's to absolutely avoid? I am looking for more north central, but if the money is right am open. I keep hearing wages are low for nurses in Fla and lower for hospice nurses.

What are wages like in hospice in Fla?

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Texas in on my Radar as well. San Antonio, Austen or what ever ---live in out lying areas. I am from midwest, 8 years hospice Experience. Are you familiar with other parts of Texas? So what are Hospice nursing wages like in your area?

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I live in Houston, and we do not have a shortage of hospice companies to work for. My employer is for-profit (I think) but we are a Christian organization and the owners put patient care above all else. Salary is competitive, I believe. I'm a new nurse so I'm sure my pay is a lot lower than what they'd offer you, but I can say that I'm not under paid. ;) Pay in Houston is pretty competitive as we have a great medical center here and a need for experienced nurses. What have you got to lose from coming down here? We also have NASA, if you're a space geek.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I've lived in the Houston/Galveston area for over 35 years. I've visited San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas and many places in between. If I had to move from Houston to another city in Texas, it would probably be Austin or somewhere in that area of the state. Having said that, if I were to move, I'd probably leave Texas and move to the pacific northwest. Austin is a fun city, and you'd probably get a pretty nice wage, but the cost of living is high and the area expanding faster than the infrastructure can accommodate. San Antonio is fun to visit, but I probably wouldn't live there. I would never live in Dallas, no reason, just not for me I guess. So, all in all, if you're going to move to Texas, I believe Houston is probably a good choice. There is no state income tax in Texas.

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Thanks for the information, what is your census like? Ever get sent home for lack of work? Do you live in Houston or out side of it? Hows the cost of living.

Thanks

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I figured the cost of living would be up in a growing town like Austin. I would want to live on the outskirts of a big city, I am more of a country boy. Why would u not want to live in San Antonio?

thanks for you input.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
Thanks for the information, what is your census like? Ever get sent home for lack of work? Do you live in Houston or out side of it? Hows the cost of living.

Thanks

The cost of living in Houston is pretty low, especially when compared to Austin. I do live in Houston proper, but House covers a HUGE geographical area, and a lot of it you'd probably consider 'outskirts', including the area I live! There are a lot of 'country boy' like areas of Houston and the surrounding cities. ;) I've never been sent home for lack of work, and have never heard of anyone in home hospice having that problem. Right now our census is growing.

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