Relocation to Fort Worth area

I am from Baton Rouge and have lived in FW for about 8 years now. I am a school nurse, but I know several of the hospitals are hiring. A friend who works at Baylor All Saints says they have open positions in almost every department. From what I understand it is a pretty good place to work. If you are in NRH, North Hills Hospital is right there, but I have heard mixed reviews on how they are to work for. A bit down the road is Harris HEB, also mixed reviews.

As far as pay, I am honestly not sure since I have been out of that area for a while. If you are looking for something different, Fort Worth ISD is hiring school nurses :) Good luck and welcome!

Purple_Scrubs,

Thanks for replying! How is school nurse pay in that area? Any certifications required? The hours would be great since I have two little ones(3&8)!! Are u in Keller isd or birdville isd. Just trying to find out about different schools for the kiddos.

SC

Keller ISD is an excellent school district; that's where my beasties attend.

Very true, our property taxes suck big time; I try not to ever think about how much I have to pay out each year.

We actually looked at 4 apt complexes in the Fossil Creek area and have pretty much decided on "Retreat at Fossil Creek" or Monterra Village, until we decide if we want to stay and buy. How safe is the area? We got a good vibe while visiting. What elem. schools and daycares are good in the area? Thanks for all the helpful responses.

SC

There are no certifications required for school nurses in this area, but some districts require a BSN. Others hire ADNs and I have heard rumors that some hire LVNs but I am not sure. Generally the pay goes along with the teacher pay schedule, but you do not get "credit" for past experience as a nurse, only past experience as a school nurse. So, starting pay ends up around $46,000. I live in Eagle Mountain ISD, which I have heard is pretty good, but I have heard great things about Keller ISD as well.

Property taxes will be a shock to you coming from Louisiana. When we lived in Gonzales, LA, we paid per YEAR almost the same amount as we pay per MONTH in N. TX!

Purple_Scrubs,

I appreciate the info. I have since pulled up the info online and that is a pretty decent pay for 187 days work. Is the schedule pretty accurate as far as the #days worked. I could even do some agency on the weekend or during the summer. Do you work extra any for an agency? Just curious. I'm excited!!!

SC

Yes, you get 2 wks for Christmas, a week for spring break (only 2 weeks til that one, woo-hoo!), and either a week or Th-F for thanksgiving, and various mondays or fridays holidays (MLK day, labor day, memorial day etc.). In FWISD you have the option of working summer school which is the 1st 6 wks of summer, half days and about $2k extra. I do not currently work extra but I am strongly considering it. I had a resume up on monster for a couple days and was inundated with calls and emails from agencies and recruiters! I have not pulled the trigger yet, the idea of a summer off is very tempting! I did summer school last year and it was easy $$, I maybe saw 20 kids all summer and have one tube feed daily.

How is your day typically during the regular school year as far as duties and students seen I'm used to oncology/med surg so this would definitely be a change for me. I've been nursing a year now and think I would love it. Thanks for all your help!!