Do you like nursing in Texas?

U.S.A. Texas

Published

Hello,

Seems like a bunch of nice people who post here! :)

To make a long story short my brother in law just moved to Denton county. I could not believe the difference from California. Seems like a great place to move with real friendly people, low cost of living compared to California.

My dilemma. Currently I have a California State job as an LVN, fully vested with a job for life with full everything; retirement, benefits, vacations. I am only 35. Do the "Nurses" of Texas like working in Texas? Would you give up a job in another state to work in Texas? Does there seem to be a need for LVN's in Texas or is it difficult to find a job? I have been an LVN since 1997. It seems like its going to be a little headache to endorse to Texas plus the whole moving adventure. Look forward to your postings!

Specializes in ICU.
Salaries are a lot less in Austin and SA - I would have taken a 10.00 an hour cut in pay to move - and housing was actually (surprisingly) more in Austin than it was in Dallas - but housing is much cheaper in SA.

I agree, salaries here are in the crapper. Seton has just done an across the board 10% raise for their RN staff. Our hospital is "investigating" other hospitals salaries to decide whether we need a raise of not.

Housing here is outragous! If you are going to rent an apartment it is around $1/square foot. 1900 square foot house starts at around $150,000 and that is a bare bones house.

Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

My son and my money go to University of Texas!

HOOK 'EM!

Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.
My son and my money go to University of Texas!

HOOK 'EM!

I have to reply with "Boomer Sooner!" (what can I say?...it's been a rebuilding year for us!) :banghead:

:)

Okay back on topic, I searched salary.com and it shows that Staff RN in San Antonio Averages $55,000 per year...I am sure this is after a few years of experience. Is this information incorrrect?

Okay back on topic, I searched salary.com and it shows that Staff RN in San Antonio Averages $55,000 per year...I am sure this is after a few years of experience. Is this information incorrrect?

When people use "salary.com" and other tools, they need to keep in mind that they are statistically averaging salaries.

They factor in everyone from the new grad RN working in a doctor's office (low end of the pay scale) to the seasoned vet of 20+ years with a BSN working in a hospital (most likely higher end of the pay scale).

This is where new grads get confused thinking that they can expect a starting salary of somewhere around $55,000 per year.

If that really was the starting pay for a new grad in SA, I'd be selling my house and moving to SA right away!

Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

In contrast do a search on salary.com in the Dallas area. Everyone I have worked with up here was making well over 60k a year, and many were making more than that when you factor in diffs and OT.

Just as RN34TX said - you do need to be aware of the averaging factor, I looked at jobs in SA, my parents live there and I would love to be able to be closer to them with my kids - but - at this time, I can't afford to sustain the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed (or the costs of m4 college students educations) at the rates they pay down there. Traveling and per diem contracts may pay better than averge, there are several large nursing schools in SA, and there are nice hospitals to work for - SA is a great "lifestyle" sort of town to live in.

Once my kids are out of college - I will be reconsidering.

Despite starting salaries, what should I expect after a few years of experience as an RN?

In contrast do a search on salary.com in the Dallas area. Everyone I have worked with up here was making well over 60k a year, and many were making more than that when you factor in diffs and OT.

You can't compare/contrast Dallas and SA on salary alone.

Cost of living, particularly housing, vary sharply between these two cities.

Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

True you cant contrast these on salary alone - but if you look at my other posts - I contrasted costs of living there. :)

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