The population of Texas has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. The purpose of this article is to discuss some of the aspects that nurses and nursing students should take into consideration when making the decision to relocate to Texas.
So, you're thinking of moving to Texas? Welcome to the well-established club, because many others have made the exact same move over the past few years. Although the state is still second to California in total population, Texas has gained more people than any other state-at least 529,000- since the last major census figures were released (Aaronson, 2011). People are definitely migrating here, especially from other states.
After a lifetime of having lived in California, I personally took the plunge and relocated to the Lone Star State in 2005. After an initial period of painful culture shock, I am still living here nearly seven years after having made the move, so that should say something.
If you are a nurse, nursing student, or other type of healthcare worker who is seriously considering relocating to Texas, there are some points that you may wish to take into careful consideration. I will mention a few of them below.
You've probably heard that Texas is full of nursing jobs.
The small towns, mid-sized cities, and extremely rural areas of the state still have plenty of job opportunities. However, newcomers to the state have the tendency to settle into the major metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, the majority of the big cities in Texas have had tough employment markets over the past three years. Many newly graduated nurses have not fared well due to extreme competition in some large metro areas, but applicants with experience should have an easier time finding work.
Masses of people have moved to Texas in recent years.
I reside in one of the major metropolitan areas and can attest to the fact that nurses from around the U.S. have been relocating here over the past few years. Since I have been living here, I have met nurses, nursing students, and other healthcare workers who moved here from Iowa, Virginia, New Mexico, Oregon, California, Mississippi, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Missouri, Utah, Oklahoma, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Alabama, Wisconsin, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Nebraska, Colorado, Maryland, Wyoming, and many other states.
I've also seen numerous nurses who moved here from abroad in recent years. I've met nurses from the Philippines, Nigeria, Bosnia, Kenya, Great Britain, Liberia, Canada, Uganda, Ukraine, and other countries. Since the newcomers frequently gravitate toward large cities, this translates into local employment markets that present fierce competition.
If you already have your heart set on moving here, I'd like to welcome you to Texas!
