Soon to be RN, relocation advice/help

[Shelby01]

Hey everyone,

I am graduating in one month from a nursing school in Iowa. I will have an associates degree. I am looking to relocate to Austin Texas. I have applied for jobs but am unsure of how to obtain a job there when I am just a new grad or if anything in particular is needed. I know I need to get a Texas nursing license to work. I was wondering if it is possible if I went down there and tried to talk to someone at the hospital to figure out what I need to do? I know applications are pretty much all online and they call you if they are interested but I would like to at least know what is needed and what to expect. Does anyone have any advice on how I should go about trying to line up a job or any ideas on who within the hospital I could maybe contact? Any information would be helpful. I am looking to relocate end of may/early June 2016. I graduate end of April 2016 and plan to take my boards a few weeks after graduation.

Thanks in advance

Have a great day guys!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Sorry you haven't gotten more responses.

Austin - like other major metro areas in Texas, is pretty much BSN only in the larger hospital systems. With the surplus of new grads, potential employers may not pay attention to your application until you have a Texas license & are "good to go". I don't think you'll have much luck trying to line up a face-to-face meeting, but if you haven't had a chance to actually visit the Austin area, it may be a good idea to go ahead and try. On the plus side - if you schedule an interview during a visit, you may be able to deduct some of the cost of your visit as a 'job hunting' employment expense on your Federal taxes.

Iowa is a compact state, so the licensure process is much easier. You would be OK to practice in on your Iowa license for the first 60 days, while awaiting your TX one. Oh, you'll also have to complete the Jurisprudence course in order to receive your TX license. It's online, easy-peasy- there's an online prep course. We have that requirement because our NPA is unique in many aspects.

FYI, Austin salaries are lower than Houston or DFW area, but not as low as San Antonio....it's all about supply and demand. There are so many people flocking to Austin, I don't think that the majority of residents in that area are probably either out-of-state transplants or politicians.

Wishing you the best of luck on your relocation and launching that new career.