Question about LVN/LPN in Texas

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Hello all! I'm an LVN in California, and I have a question for you LPN's/LVN's in Texas. How is the job market out there? I've heard there are positions open in Texas, and I'm curious to hear your opinion about how true it is. I've been licensed since August 09 out here in California, but other than a few months doing H1N1 vaccinations, there are literally no jobs out here. I've been scouring the entire state, and no luck whatsoever. Anyways, I'm not opposed to going out of state to get a job (which seems like the only option given the current state of things), and several people keep telling me to check out Texas. So how is it out there? Is it ridiculously tough out there too? Are there actually employers willing to actually -gasp- hire LVN's? I have some family in Keller, and have been in the state a few times, so I'm not completely in the dark about Texas in some regards, but I'm just interested in the situation over there (what areas are good, how is the cost of living, anything!). If any of you who have traveled to Texas from out of state, I'd love to hear your opinions! Thanks in advance for the info!

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

Hi, there. I'm a native Californian who moved to Texas in 2005, right after completing an LVN program in the greater Los Angeles area. I live in the DFW area. When I first came to Texas, the LVN jobs were abundant. I could apply for a job on a Monday and get hired on a Tuesday. I held multiple jobs at one time.

However, I have noticed the job market getting a little tighter over the past year. There are several reasons for this. First of all, nurses from out of state have been moving to Texas in search of jobs. Second of all, there are numerous nursing programs in Texas that churn new grads into the local job market with not enough available jobs to go around.

Overall, I would say that the LVN job market in Texas is better than in most places. However, you must be willing to do home health, nursing homes, SNFs, clinics, doctors' offices, hospice, or other jobs outside of the hospital setting. Good luck to you!

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Thanks for the reply! I assume any major area is over saturated with LVN's/LPN's, but that's the world we live in :p. I wouldn't mind working outside of a hospital setting. To be honest, I don't even expect to work a hospital until I get my RN, but I got to work first before I can go for it. I wouldn't mind working SNF's, LTC's, etc. Out here, even those places aren't hiring. The people who I know are working those places say it is ridiculous. These companies aren't hiring, and they're overstretching the workload of the few nurses they have. It's all about saving a dollar, and I get that (even if it is sad...I can only imagine the lowered quality of care for the patients when there's not enough nurses to attend to them >

Quick question for you, TheCommuter! When you relocated out there, did any companies help with relocation or anything of the sort? I only ask because I've never moved out of state for a job before, but that was before I became a nurse. Fortunately I'm not moving a family or anything, so I don't know if that comes into account in relocation or whatnot. I'd love to be able to work where I am right now, I won't lie, but at this stage in the game I'll take a job anywhere I can walk/drive/fly/swim to at this point. Thanks for your response, you always have some great insight! (I think you've commented on some of my posts before, all of which have been helpful, even if I'm always blowing my stack on this site lol. I'm trying to stay positive as best as I can, and I'm excited to jumpstart this career in nursing. One way or another, it's going to happen!)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
When you relocated out there, did any companies help with relocation or anything of the sort?
None of the companies assisted with relocation. I paid to move to Texas with my own money. In this slumping economy where nurses are a dime a dozen, I seriously doubt that you're going to find a company that is still offering enticements such as relocation assistance, sign-on bonuses, contracts, etc.
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In this slumping economy where nurses are a dime a dozen, I seriously doubt that you're going to find a company that is still offering enticements such as relocation assistance, sign-on bonuses, contracts, etc.

Yes, there ARE still places that do this. It is just not advertised. I am a new grad and just started my first RN position and was offered a relocation/sign-on bonus. So it is possible.

With that said, in the DFW area I would check out LifeCare Hospitals or Kindred Health, they are LTAC's. They both are friendly to LVN's. Many bigger hospitals in Dallas have gotten away from hiring LVN's for acute care. San Antonio also has a healthy job market and will hire LVN's even in acute care settings.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Yes, there ARE still places that do this. It is just not advertised. I am a new grad and just started my first RN position and was offered a relocation/sign-on bonus. So it is possible.
You're an RN. RNs tend to have more enticements and perks offered to them than their LVN counterparts. The original poster and I are both LVNs.
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