RN moving to Houston

MiketRN · Jul 27, 2012

hi, my name is mike and i just recently became an rn. (july 20) i was a lpn for over 5 years. i currently live in cleveland ohio. one thing i was wondering is how much do new grads start at in houston? also do the hospitals there hire new grads? i currently work for heartland and plan to transfer there just until i can get into the hospital. i really want to get into traveling nursing but i know most agencies require at least 1 year hospital experience. houston will be a big move for me especially since i know absolutely no one there, but i'm 24 and just want to live life and take some chances. so with that being said i also wanted to know what parts of houston are nice and affordable to live? all responses are welcome and thanks in advance!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2012

Hi, there. Welcome to these forums! I moved your post to the Texas Nursing forum so it would be exposed to people who actually live and work in the Houston metro area.

You can expect starting pay in the mid $20s per hour. The nursing job market in Houston has become glutted and overly saturated with too many new grads over the past few years. However, you might be in a better position because you have previous LPN experience.

I've heard that suburbs such as Katy, Sugarland, Pearland, Friendswood, and The Woodlands are well-regarded.

lonestar9918 · Jul 27, 2012

I dont have a ton of reliable info on Houston, but in TX..generally speaking overall..it is relatively new grad friendly, especially for BSNs. Ive seen 2012 May grads getting anything from 21-26 an hour in Houston area.

Sorry I dont have anything more solid that you could really hang your hat on, but good luck!

MiketRN · Jul 28, 2012

Hi, there. Welcome to these forums! I moved your post to the Texas Nursing forum so it would be exposed to people who actually live and work in the Houston metro area.You can expect starting pay in the mid $20s per hour. The nursing job market in Houston has become glutted and overly saturated with too many new grads over the past few years. However, you might be in a better position because you have previous LPN experience.I've heard that suburbs such as Katy, Sugarland, Pearland, Friendswood, and The Woodlands are well-regarded.

Thanks for your info... Kind of expected it to be higher. Seems like its the same for hospitals here but more in the nursing homes/rehab

EricaSAFJAF · Jul 28, 2012

hi, my name is mike and i just recently became an rn. (july 20) i was a lpn for over 5 years. i currently live in cleveland ohio. one thing i was wondering is how much do new grads start at in houston? also do the hospitals there hire new grads? i currently work for heartland and plan to transfer there just until i can get into the hospital. i really want to get into traveling nursing but i know most agencies require at least 1 year hospital experience. houston will be a big move for me especially since i know absolutely no one there, but i'm 24 and just want to live life and take some chances. so with that being said i also wanted to know what parts of houston are nice and affordable to live? all responses are welcome and thanks in advance!

houston was just voted the coolest city by forbes fyi lol..and we're also the most diverse city more so than ny! anyways..i'm a new grad rn and my base is 29/hr but i get 3 dollars extra for night so 32/hr...my lowest paying friend makes 21/hr (without diff) and my highest paying friend is 25 without diff but i heard starting pay somewhere else was 27... i do psych nursing by the way...

MiketRN · Jul 28, 2012

Thanks for the reply! And yes I have heard a lot of good things about Houston. Was it hard trying to find a job? I started at 27 + 2 shift diff at my current place of employment. Was hoping to stay at that pay rate or go higher. And what parts of Houston would you reccomend?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Aug 3, 2012

I hope you're a BSN grad. Even then, it is currently a very challenging environment for new grads right now. Seems like everyone is beating a path to our city these days.... maybe they saw Forbes Magazine article naming Houston as the Coolest City in America??? LOL Houston Tops Our List Of America's Coolest Cities - Forbes

If you're concerned about crime, take a look at the official stats on this site rather than relying on subjective viewpoints: Neighborhood (Police Beat) Crime Statistics We're a very large and diverse city, and people tend to overestimate the 'danger' of any neighborhood that doesn't look like theirs.

Houston is wonderfully affordable. All kinds of housing options in all different areas of our huge city. Commutes can become the stuff of nightmares, so get a job first then decide on housing. If you can, I would hold off on your move until the October-ish in order to avoid the worst of the Summer heat and hurricane season. But just to set the record straight, we DO have four seasons:Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer, and Christmas. LOL Cost of living may not exactly be lower for you, but the lack of state income tax will certainly be a relief.

I suggest you focus your job search outside The Medical Center. Waay too much competition for scarce new grad jobs and the commute/ parking situation is ridiculous. You may even want to take a look at facilities closer to the Gulf if you like the beach - there are a lot of options.

danisweetcheeks · Sep 16, 2012

"But just to set the record straight, we DO have four seasons:Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer, and Christmas. LOL"

HAA! :laugh: my kind of weather!! I'm planning on moving to Houston early next year from Vancouver, BC and can NOT wait!!

LaceyRN12 · Sep 17, 2012

Houston is the worst place to find a new graduate position. Trust me. Go to another city.