Thinking of moving to Austin...

Corvette Guy · Dec 10, 2005

I'm considering moving to the Austin area from Las Vegas and would really appreciate any info on good places to work there for a new grad RN. I've heard about the magnet hospitals, but I was hoping to hear from people who actually know based on first-hand experience what it's all about. Is the pay better? What pay range might I expect? How are benefits? What hospitals are recommended? What area of town has easiest access to hospitals? How is the work environment, and what about nurse/patient ratio?
Any help is so much appreciated!

I can certainly answer some of your questions since my wife & I are RNs & both work in Austin. I work at Seton Medical Center [Magnet status], and my wife works at the Heart Hospital of Austin. However, what specific area of nursing are you interested? Are you looking to rent, or buy a home?

Feel free to shoot me a PM, email, or reply here.

lancerRN2b · Dec 12, 2005

Corvette Guy,

I am interested working on my pre-reqs for nursing school and I would like to work in Austin once I finish nursing school. Is there a demand in that area and do you know what the entry salary is for most positions as a new grad? I am thinking ER/OR/ICU. Any advice you can give me? Thanks

Corvette Guy · Dec 13, 2005

Corvette Guy,
I am interested working on my pre-reqs for nursing school and I would like to work in Austin once I finish nursing school. Is there a demand in that area and do you know what the entry salary is for most positions as a new grad? I am thinking ER/OR/ICU. Any advice you can give me? Thanks

lancerRN,

Yes, there is definitely demand for RNs in Austin, including those fresh out of nursing school. I honestly don't know the entry salary for new grads. However, you can contact the Human Resource Dept. of a particular hospital & they will tell you the starting wage for a new grad. Otherwise, most experienced RNs would have to wait until an interview to discuss $$$.

The hospitals in Austin are real good about hiring new grads, then placing them in orientation for 3-6 months. I work in the OR at Seton, which has a 6 mos orientation program for new grads. Plus, I know Brack has a very good ICU preceptorship/orientation program for new grads.

I suggest sending resumes to various Human Resource Depts. at hospitals in Austin your interested. BTW, Seton HR has an RN recruiter, so do your best to contact such person.

Hope this gets you headed in the right direction.

:)

Corvette Guy · Dec 18, 2005

Hey air1996 & lancerRN,

Ya'll need any more input?

:icon_cool

Austinnurse · Jan 13, 2006

I recently graduated from UT-Austin and applied to both hospital systems in Austin- Seton and St. Davids. A good percentage of my fellow classmates also stayed in town (once you come to austin its really hard to leave!)

I found that the St. Davids new grad orientation program for critical care/OR/ER was a better fit for me. All the orientation programs in town are good. However, St. Davids recently received a federal grant giving their program a bit more money, which equals more training and supplies. All new grads receive a dell pocket pc, and many extra opportunities in a longer orientation than I would have had at Seton. The program is called SNAP- call St. Davids HR and ask about the program...

I have had thee friends go through the Brackenridge new grad orientation, and talking to them, I am glad I decided not to go there. It is also a great program, but not as supportive. It seems some of the staff can be a bit harsh, not as helpful once your on your own. Not the best environment for a new grad. They also make you switch between days and nights- my friends are always tired because they can never get themselves on a normal sleeping pattern- also not safe for new grads who need to be on top of their game in the ICU. Just some things you should think about...

Starting pay for new grads is the same no matter which hospital you choose- there are a LOT of new nurses from many different programs in Central Texas, so there is not much of a demand... meaning they don't have to pay more to get nurses like dallas, houston and San Antonio.

I have friends in both hospital systems, and I will admit, going through nursing school, I did not like St. Davids. It seems to be perceived as the ugly stepchild of the two systems. However now that I have worked in this hospital (North Austin Med Center), I love it here, and so does every other one of my friends who works for this system (we are spread throughout the different hospitals in the system.) My Seton friends like their jobs too, but quite a few have switched over to St. Davids after talking to us about our jobs, and they now love it too! I don't know any of my fellow grads that switched from St. davids to Seton.

Of Course, you have to check out both and find the right fit for you.... Good Luck!

MSUnurse · Feb 24, 2006

I, too, am thinking of moving to Austin (graduate in December). Today I called St. David's HR and found out that their starting pay for new grads is only $17.81 per hour. I was floored. I made close to that working as a legal secretary.

Anyone have any other pay info? I called Seton, but their HR office had closed at 4:30 p.m.

New grads start out between $18 and $19 per hr. here in Lake Charles, LA and the cost of living is much lower. Should I reconsider my interest in Austin?!