Relocating to Texas

Bruce RN · May 27, 2006

Although they are two completely different states in many respects, they also share some similarities which as a Californian you could appreciate, which therefore, makes your questions not quite so black and white and easy to answer in a short summary.

Having worked extensively in both states in multiple cities/small towns, I can tell you that TX, like CA, is so big that each area has it's own quirks, and therefore, it's pluses and minuses.

It all depends on what you really value in life.

I know that having a good supportive work environment is something that you mentioned, but that is something that you could find just about anywhere, it just takes time and effort to find the right work setting. Sometimes after moving to a new city it takes starting and quitting at a couple of places before finding your right match.

I could tell you that one hospital in San Antonio was the best ICU experience in my life and had a great supportive environment, but if you work med/surg at that same hospital based on good reviews, the staff on your new unit may be completely different and not so supportive of their co-workers or could have a very toxic manager.

What I can do is to tell you particular units within certain hospitals in TX to stay clear of and to not accept an employment offer based on my own horrible experiences as well as that of others, but that would be about as much help as I could offer in this respect.

As a whole, TX offers much fewer protections to nurses such as staffing ratios and the fact that TX is a right to work state is often exploited by particular hospital administrations. Also, the DFW metroplex is plagued with the blacklisting practices of "Group One."

With that said, it certainly doesn't mean that one can't find a decent job and be happy with their life in TX. I started working in TX years ago and decided that I liked it so much, that I bought a home here and TX has been my home base for many years now.

I still take many assignments in CA and am often there more days out of the year than anywhere else, but CA just can't offer me as a homeowner what TX can offer me, thus my home base is back there.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · May 27, 2006

I like the Bryan/College Station area. ~70 miles N. and slightly W of Houston.

1.5 hrs from Houston/Austin; 3 hrs from San Anton/Dallas.

Great Schools. Competitive hospitals. 1 hospital keeps a reasonable 5-6 med/surg ratio. Decent pay.

My 1300 sf 3 bedroom house on a cul de sac in a quiet neighborhood across from a park: 97k.

120,000 local pop, but spread out. So, 24 hr stores if you like, but not a 'city' feel. Close enough to the cities to go for day trips.

Major University (TX A&M) for followup schooling. They have a satellite BSN/MSN program. I moved here for school, and loved the area, so stayed.

College Station has a great school system for kids.

There are downsides to everywhere: It is unbearably hot and humid for about a 1.5 months each year; but that's Texas. And, there are higher levels of allergens in the air around here than practically anywhere else. Again, this area of the country. And, when the University is in session, there are lots of college 'kids' on the roads (but that isn't nearly as bad as driving in city 'rush hour')

PM me if you want more info.

~faith,

Timothy.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 28, 2006

I moved from southern California to the Dallas-Fort Worth area 6 months ago and am enjoying it so far.

bahamabread · May 30, 2006

I am relocating to texas as well. My husband wants to move to Dallas. We need to be near to Shreveport La ( but not too near!!) I have no idea what the place looks like or where to get a job. Any body with any advice? Have children..........need good schools.

bahamabread · May 30, 2006

OK............if noone has any good advice, I would be happy for you to tell me where to stay clear of...........and most important..........where NOT to work.

pkmom · May 31, 2006

I can't offer any suggestions on where to work or not to work, my first day ever will be monday. You may find helpful information on the hospitals websites, some are working toward magnet status, if that's important to you. some of the big hospitals in the dallas area are baylor, parkland, methodist, presbyterian. there are several HCA and Tenet facilities. If you want to be close to shreveport, Tyler or Longview might be good for you. I think its 1-1.5 hours away, lots of trees. best wishes to you.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2006

The fewest pts I ever had in med surg in TX was 9. The most was 13. This was with no CNA and no unit clerk.

I would be very cautious.

Using the term "I" is not a generalization.

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 24, 2006

Again - that was your experience. That was never my experience. Nor has it been the experience of many others. Please don't generalize your personal experience to be everyone's experience.

It can be dependant on what area of Texas you work in to a large degree, some regions pay less, are not as well staffed and are less likely to have backup staff. I will give you that - but it isn't true everywhere you go.

ETA: I had one hospital who gave me a really ugly 8 patient assignment on a med/surg floor but I promise that was the worst I ever got. I didn't go back there, and the agnecy supposedly had a convo with them about that one.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2006

Again - that was your experience.

That's what I said.

That was never my experience. Nor has it been the experience of many others.

Didn't say it was.

Again, Please don't generalize your personal experience to be everyone's experience.

Again, "I" is not a generalization."

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 24, 2006

I understand. I suppose what I should have said is please don't go straight to the worst war story you have at someones first mention of their interest in moving to Texas. It's sort of like the people who tell the woman who is 8 mos pregant the worst L&D story they have ever heard. :wink2:

Texas is a great place, I'm sorry you have had such rotten experiences here. If there is anything I personally could do to help, I would do it. I do have a contact you might want to talk to about the GroupOne business if you have had an issue with them. PM me if you want that information.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2006

I have not had an issue with Group One personally. But I know other nurses who have, unfairly.

Here's one example-

I met a nurse here on this forum, who was a new grad working in Texas. We became friends and speak on the phone occasionally. As a new grad, she was promised a 3 month preceptor orientation in Neuro ICU. She had this in writing. On her third day on the unit, she was left on her own. She refused the assignment, and invoked Safe Harbor. She was reported to Group One, was blacked-listed, and almost lost her home. She took her BSN Phi Beta Kappa to another state where she is being better treated.

Believe me, I have not scratched the surface of horror stories in Texas nursing that I personally know of or have experienced.

guage14iv, just as my bad experiences in TX do not negate your good ones, the reverse is also true.