Plan on moving to Texas [DFW area]

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Hey there :] I am currently enrolled and waiting to start a BSN program in Florida. My move is about two years away, but I wanted to plan everything properly. I'm a bit OCD so having all my ducks in a row keeps the stress at bay. Anyway, I guess my question is, how should I go about getting licensure? Would I get my license here in Florida and then transfer it to Texas, or would I just get it over there? I still really don't know how all of this works. Also, how are the job prospects in the DFW area? I plan on finishing up my education in TX and pursuing the NP track. I know it's a fair way away, but I'd like to have something concrete to tell my fiance as far as how long it will take me to move closer to him. Thanks!!!

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

The nursing job prospects are not booming in the DFW area at the present time due to the economic climate in this country, and it is worse if you are a brand new grad nurse with no experience.

There are many factors involved. Many experienced nurses are flooding into this area from around the country, so recruiters find it cheaper to hire someone with 10 years of experience rather than invest thousands of dollars into getting a new grad properly trained and oriented. Also, there are multiple nursing programs in this area that produce a plethora of new nurses several times yearly when the local job market cannot absorb them all. Also, since many people are uninsured, the demand for healthcare is down.

You say that you are planning on moving here in a few years, so hopefully things will have changed. However, have a job lined up before you move.

In addition, you can endorse your Florida license into Texas to obtain a Texas license by endorsement, or apply for an initial Texas license by examination.

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Specializes in ER.

I went to nursing school in AL and got my license for TX. I had a classmate who got her license in AL and then transferred it to TX and the process was long, tedious, and frustrating. Figure out where you want to be after graduation and get licensed in that state. For me, getting licensed in AL would've been faster and cheaper, but in the long run I knew I was going to be in TX so I did that to lesson the headache.

Also, I agree with what Commuter said. However there is no way to tell you how the market will be in a few years.

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Florida is a non-compact state, if your from a non-compact state and plan on working in Texas you can take your boards in Texas without currently being a resident and list under your application that Texas will be your primary state for working and receive a Texas compact state license. If you have a compact state license you can use your license in other compact states as well without needing that state BON license. You should do a quick search regarding RN compact states if want more information on this.

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