What's the job market like in Texas?

[TeleNurse2010]

I am planning on relocating to Houston after I finish my RN degree next May. It is hard for new grads where I currently live (in the St. Louis, MO area) to get jobs, and I'm wondering if the same is the case in Houston or other parts of Texas. I prefer to live in Houston since I have friends there, but I'm willing to relocate to other parts of texas if the job market is right. Can anyone give me any insight?

Also, I'd be interested in knowing what you all think about the Kingswood, Sugarland, or Katy areas, as those are the areas in Houston I am considering moving to.

Thanks in advance.

[rogathom]

What about Lubbock?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The job market in some parts of Texas is still somewhat robust, but you cannot be too picky. If you focus your efforts toward the small towns, mid-sized cities, and some of the desolate areas, a new grad should be able to land a hospital job. You should be able to land a home health gig or nursing home job in any major city in Texas.

Some of the smaller cities include San Angelo, Abilene, Tyler, Longview, and Waco. Some of the desolate areas include the cities of the Rio Grande Valley (Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen, and Edinburg). I've also heard that the San Antonio job market is healthy.

Texas is a huge state, so you may want to be more specific regarding the type of lifestyle you're seeking out.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

merged threads...

[shah]

I'm finding the market for new nurses difficult. Very few opportunities exist for GN's.

Clearlake Regional is hiring for internship.

[mlk1217]

med surg is only a starting point. there is plenty of work in texas. i live in fort worth and dont care for houston, over populated and the humitidy is awful. i do have friends that love there.

[shah]

I see new grads complaining about not getting L&D, NICU and ER. That is about the normal state of affairs, not a downturn. Any new grad is lucky to get into Med-Surg and learn nursing first. That is how it has been any good year,and that is how it is now.

You cannot afford to pick and choose when you are a new nurse. Just go for the first decent offer.:angryfire

I started off on a postpartum floor 3 years ago, because L&D or NICU was not available. I have got my first break into the Nursery now, and that is because I worked mother baby for 1 year and know something about babies.

[shah]

On a nicer note, St. Joseph's & St. Lukes in Houston are taking applications for internships. Only caveat, St. Lukes will not hire you for internship if you have worked even one day as an RN. Go figure.

[SheilaORN]

I live in TX and i just started on ortho/neuro floor (THR) and even though there are lots of new grads who dont have jobs yet, sometimes they take pple from out of state so it's your luck if u r from out of state. In my current versant program we have 4 pple from out of state and we were told that they hire some pple from out of state to have different pple from different areas with different experiences so do not be discouraged to apply even tho the job market sucks for new grads coz u will never know if you will be chosen. My friend also started her intern in another facility they also take some pple from TX and some from out of state. Our versant program has pple for different units so it's not just medsurg. Good luck.

[escapebigd]

Hey Student Nurse 06. I have lived in Texas my whole life, but I've travelled around up north quite a lot, mainly Maine, and Mass, so I know that I've got it good living down here. I think that Texas is a great place if you love outdoors, and you won't have to pay so much in heating costs in the winter as well :)

[ibme]

I see new grads complaining about not getting L&D, NICU and ER. That is about the normal state of affairs, not a downturn. Any new grad is lucky to get into Med-Surg and learn nursing first. That is how it has been any good year,and that is how it is now.

You cannot afford to pick and choose when you are a new nurse. Just go for the first decent offer.:angryfire

I started off on a postpartum floor 3 years ago, because L&D or NICU was not available. I have got my first break into the Nursery now, and that is because I worked mother baby for 1 year and know something about babies.

How did you like postpartum?

[charlene212]

I agree it is very hard to get a job as a new graduate right now. I applied all over the country since I was only applying for NICU, L&D, Post partum, and anything Pedi related. I did recently get a job offer in NICU (which was my first choice) in Longview. If you are willing to relocate and are flexible, you might find what you are looking for.