Houston Hopeful Seeking Advice from Those in the Area

[Xsited2baNurse]

Hey there!

I'm from Central Indiana and am set to graduate from my RN program (ASN) in a little under two weeks. I have some quick questions for you all concerning the typical application and hiring processes down there in the Houston area for RNs.

My first question deals with ASN vs. BSN:

How preferentially do you feel BSNs are treated vs. ASNs in the application process? Are the ASNs given a fair shot, or has magnet status driven a lot of the bigger hospitals down there to just kind of gawk at, scoff at, and then promptly disregard an ASN applicant? My sister, who's an RN in Louisiana, said that a lot of the Houston hospitals are actually going over to LA to look for nurses, and seem to be okay with ASNs. But you never know....

My second question deals with pay:

How much could a new grad RN expect to make on, sayyy, a Med Surg or ICU floor? Up here most of the better paying hospitals seem to want to start us out at around 22.75-23.50/hr, just based on anecdotal experience.

Thanks in advance to any of you who respond! :)

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Job prospects are most likely in border towns in Texas as they are considered the least desirable areas to live. They are often small cities pretty far from everything except the border. I know there are established areas in Texas but I don't know anything much about job prospects.

There are some larger cities like El Paso or Brownsville. They have more amenities but also more of the ills of larger cities.

As far as RN to BSN, the vast majority of employers will not care if you were originally BSN or transitioned as long as the college is accredited.

[troikaenerio]

Most of the hospitals in Medical Center and the huge hospitals are requiring BSN. I've heard LTACs and nursing homes arent very strict with it. Most of the jobs I applied for in Houston all prefer BSN but still there are some postings that say they only require ASN. I think it varies per institution. Good luck!

[Stella_Blue]

I do know someone who did get a job in the medical center in Houston with an ASN but the ONLY reason they hired her was because she had many years of experience. They aren't even making her get her BSN surprisingly. Houston Medical Center is a very desirable place around the country for health care professionals to work, so it can be hard to get in to sometimes.