Possible move to Texas, need input

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Specializes in Emergency.

Hello,

My husband and I are considering taking an assignment in the Austin area (he's military), in the next year and a half or so. By the time we move I will have about 2 years RN experience and a BSN (I have my ASN now, and 8 months left to finish my BSN). I'm also Chemo/biotherapy certified. I don't have my ONC certification, but I'm Chemo/biotherapy certified. I might have my ONC by then, maybe.

I was wondering what you could tell me about nursing in Texas. What are the ratios like? What are some good hospitals to look at? Cancer centers? What is the pay like (genrally speaking) for someone with my education and experience? Where are the nice and more affordable places to live? We were looking around Round Rock or Buda, but not fixed on those locations- open to living anywhere that we find a home we like that is within a reasonable distance from jobs.

Any input, or feedback would be appreciated. Thank You.

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The market for new grads is tough in the larger cities in TX, but especially for ADNs. Experienced nurses are still being hired all over, w/ preferential hiring toward BSNs. Any of the major hospitals in the Austin greater area would be great. Also, if you lived in Buda, you could even open up your job search to include San Marcos, New Braunfels, and even North San Antonio.

Buda is a great are but I would advise staying WEST of Interstate 35. Not that East is "bad" like it is in Austin proper, but West is still far superior crime and school wise in Buda.

The commute into the biggest facilities in Austin from Buda, or Round Rock will be hell-ish. But I think worth it...RNs can enjoy slightly "off-time" commutes.

My parents live in Buda and my Dad was recently in a Seton hospital in that area. It was a very nice, well-run facility. You could get on there and have an EASYYY commute.

Pay varies a good bit in TX, and im not too sure about Austin, but I would guess-timate experienced RN pay to start around 24-26/hr base pay plus shift diffs. where applicable.

Browse job listings etc. at Brackenridge, Seton, Dell Children's, and St. Davids. They have mid-size facilities ALL OVER the greater Austin area..and giant hub locations in central Austin.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.. Ive been away from ATX for several years now, but still spend a good bit of time in Buda and South Austin. Also have friends and family in pretty much every corner of the area.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Thanks so much for the input Lonestar. We've just discovered that maybe Ft. Worth may be an option as well, do you know anything about that area too perhaps?

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Specializes in Oncology.

I'm an oncology nurse in Dallas, so I can't speak for Fort Worth, however, with experience, BSN, and that chemo certification, you will have no problem being hired in the Dallas area. UT Southwestern, Baylor, and Medical City do oncology that I know of. I'm sure there are other hospitals in Fort Worth that would hire you as well.

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Specializes in Emergency.
I'm an oncology nurse in Dallas, so I can't speak for Fort Worth, however, with experience, BSN, and that chemo certification, you will have no problem being hired in the Dallas area. UT Southwestern, Baylor, and Medical City do oncology that I know of. I'm sure there are other hospitals in Fort Worth that would hire you as well.

That's great news! I worry about us having to move and then me being out of a job. My worst fear is having my husband go and me having to stay behind because lack of job. I'm hoping when the time comes I will be able to go there for a couple weeks and try to obtain a job before we move.

Does anyone know if the time to transfer a license from CA to TX is long? Wondering how far ahead of time I should start getting things together.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Texas is notoriously slow at the BON level. Call and ask them how long it takes and add a couple of months to it.

Austin is a tight market even for experienced nurses. Everyone and their brother wants to live there. It is the only "liberal" place in Texas, has a great night life, lots of live music and stuff going on all the time. Cost of living is high and nursing wages aren't really more than average for Texas, therefore you technically make less in order to live in that area.

DFW is still very open to experienced nurses, especially those with BSN.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Cost of living is high and nursing wages aren't really more than average for Texas, therefore you technically make less in order to live in that area.

Funny, I come from CA and the cost of living was LOW to me, even thought I'd be making less as an RN.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Austin can be tight for both new grads and experienced nurses; however, I heard the Dallas/Fort Worth area is even worse.

I personally love Austin; they have great hospitals and Austin itself is a cool city with great nightlife. Not sure about cancer centers, but there is Seton and St. David's which are both very reputable. There is a Scott & White Round Rock location and that hospital is also very reputable. The ratios will also vary by hospital. I work in progressive care and ours are 4:1; another hospital is 7:1 which I think is nuts :eek: Oncology ratios also vary. That's good that you have your chemo/biotherapy certification - that will make you marketable. I would said an OCN isn't necessary but will also look good. Most places will also offer a raise if you hold certifications.

As for pay, I hear Austin pays a little less compared to other surrounding areas. I used to work with an RN who got a job at St. David's. She said she makes a few bucks less than where she used to work, but it evens out because she isn't driving 2 hours roundtrip to work at least 3 days/week. I live about an hour from Austin and as a new grad, I started out at $23.50/hr. I'm now at $24.05 plus I get shift differential. I make nearly $30/hour with the differential and my overtime rate is a little over $35/hr. I have my BSN and over a year of experience.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Thanks so much, it's definitely going to be over in the Ft. Worth area. I guess there's no spot for him in Austin, so if anyone knows that area well, I'd love to hear it. Good areas to live, places to avoid, job market climate..?

Kinda bummed about missing out on Austin, but what are you gonna do? lol

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Hello. Saw the thread and wanted to ask some info. I'm a RN with my CCRN, CEN, TNCC and 2 years level one trauma S/TICU experience with plenty of Neuro overflow. I have been nursing for 6 years total (2.5 years as LPN/LVN) with the rest as a ICU RN at a private LTAC. I am looking at relocating to Austin with the next 6 months. I would ideally like to go beck into the trauma ICU, but am finding from research that this maybe a miracle. I am thinking of delaying my move to pick up pre-hospital experience with an EMT-B, leading to EMT-P. I am an Army Reserve nurse so I want to remain adaptable, but also keep my practice relevant to what I'd do both home as in theater.

First question, other than Brack, what options out there would possibly fit? I have thought of Starflight, seeing how the physical requirements somewhat follow what the Army already asks. I just want to reserve that option until after EMT-B at least.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I just endorsed my license into Texas from California and the entire process from start to finish took less than four weeks. That was with no criminal history or any actions on the license. I was amazed at how smooth and quick the process was. Take heart! I had that permanent license with plenty of time to spare before I began working here.

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Specializes in Emergency.
I just endorsed my license into Texas from California and the entire process from start to finish took less than four weeks. That was with no criminal history or any actions on the license. I was amazed at how smooth and quick the process was. Take heart! I had that permanent license with plenty of time to spare before I began working here.

Awesome. I hope I have the same experience.

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