Relocation to Austin.....any advice?

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Hello,

We are considering a move to Austin and I have been exploring jobs at Seton facilities, St. David's and Scott/White.

I was wondering who has the best work environment, best salaries, and best benefits. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

As for me, I have been a nurse for 18 years, primarily in hospital PACU.

Thanks

Specializes in Home Health Case Mgr.

Hi....Austin is an awesome and beautiful town. Healthcare jobs go up and down, but there is always something for experienced nurses. Lots of agencies and home health. The big hospitals...St. Davids (HCA owned!!!!) Seton (Catholic owned, not for profit) S&W Hospitals (not for profit research/med school) have campuses all over. I live Northside, like it better than south. Also you have UT health center..big. Heart Hospital, Ortho places, lots of surgical centers. I have worked in all three at one time or another, the non profits S & W and Seton are much better in my opinion. Seton has magnet status. Look at Round Rock Seton WIlliamson hospital and Round Rock Scott and White Hospital, you will love them. Just run from the HCA facilities. understaffing and corporate bottom dollar at its best. You can PM me for more info. Happy hunting, go get them. Brackenridge is the Trauma Center run by Seton, owned by the city if you like that environment. If you like BIG, go to Temple, just up the road to S & W. one of the largest level one hospitals in the state with med school ( A&M).

ERDude

Thanks for the tips, they come in handy! I have applied to about 20 positions throughout the area (all within the last 1.5 weeks) but no responses as of yet. I guess they take a while:) DO you have any idea the hourly pay range for someone with 18 years or so experience?

Thanks!

Specializes in Home Health Case Mgr.

prob 25-30 hr plus diffs. You will have to barter with them. Also, those hospitals take a while to get through HR. Another way to speed up process is meet dept managers in person or call/fax resume, kind of sneaky around HR. Check www.statesman.com for jobs and craiglists.

Specializes in Home Health Case Mgr.

oh yeah, Texas Orthopedics is always looking for good pacu nurses, they have several surgical centers in austin area.:cool:

I think my last response may have not gone through so if it didn't, thanks again for all the help!

there's alot of competition here for jobs cause everyone is moving in for the jobs, my manager told me a few weeks ago that she got 300+ applications for each new grad slot and 150+ for each experienced nurse slot. many of them out of state.

if you want to be heard around the noise i would definitely come up with a way to get around HR.

i work for the catholic system. i like it alright but be aware that while for-profit hospitals are all about money it doesnt mean that not-for-profits arent. and the pay tends to be lower with lower shift diffs too. the two hospital systems have agreements to keep pay low so the nurses dont move around so much...

Thanks for the advice! That is crazy about the applicant numbers! It actually isn't easy to find work here also so thank goodness I have a job. I will contact the departments directly. What do you know about Scott and White?

Specializes in Emergency nursing.

I just moved to Austin about 6 months ago and work in the ER at Brackenridge ( part of the the Seton system ). I have also worked for Scott and White in Temple. Both facilities are good at what they do. Because Seton is a Catholic based system, they have a little more focus towards indigent care, which is greatly needed in this area. Scott and White is a very respected research system associated with Texas A&M College of Medicine. Brackenridge is moving more towards becoming a larger teaching facility; they currently have several residency programs with UTMB and are supposed to be starting a partnership with UT Southwestern for an ER residency program. I personally like both systems and would have no problem going back to Scott and White if I needed to. The Scott and White hospital in Round Rock is a fairly new facility; it was opened right after I left Temple in 2007. One of the unique things about Scott and White is that the board of directors is physician oriented; 10 of the 22 members are physicians. Only 3 of Seton's 19 members are physicians. Having a physician heavy board gives the system a refreshing mentality. I have also been a Scott and White patient for 29 years and have rarely had a negative experience. Hope this information helps. Also, I live in Southwest Austin towards Bee Cave and LOVE my side of town.

disclaimer: i have never worked for, nor set foot in S&W. I have 3 pals from school who work OR in Temple and love it. the little bit i have is 2nd hand knowledge

however: i have several colleagues at my job now that worked thru school at S&W in Temple (all on acute care floors) and not a single one has anything positive to say except that the pay is very good. (it has to be, it's a very long commute from Austin) the rest of what they say is phrases like: "nurses calling safe harbor" "1 RN per 20pts with 2 LPNs and 1 tech" etc etc. basically all of them thought the place was a huge license risk. i have a pal who is a patient with S&W and goes to Round Rock all the time. she is very happy with their care.

my $0.02 not worth much. i do wish you the best, it's so hard these days for anyone to get a job!! a pal is graduating with a teaching degree and a dream to teach HS English..bad timing huh..

personally i recommend Brack: "kick ass care anywhere" :smokin:

pointless meandering...

Bee Caves area is a gorgeous part of Austin...how do you afford it on a RN's pay??

Specializes in Emergency nursing.

I'm single, live in a one bedroom apartment and drive a 13 year old car (no car payment) lol

In all seriousness, it's less expensive living where I do compared to living closer in town.

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