What do TX RNs make?

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I am pursuing a degree in nursing. I used to live in TX and am hoping to return to TX when my girls leave high school...about eight more years(Hey, I'm an early planner:)) Anyway, I am hoping to be an RN with five years' experience by the time I move back to TX and want to be in Salado to be exact....so I could work anywhere from Austin to Round Rock to Darnall to wherever. How much do experienced RNs make here? Also, as I will be an outsider, will that hurt me?TIA!

Specializes in NICU.

What other places besides hospitals would be a good place for a new grad to start in Houston?? I'm getting rejected left and right so I guess i should start thinking of where else I could apply to

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Home health agencies, clinics like kelsey seybold, and all those small clinics that ppl go to for minor accidents. mmmm, doctors offices. Try prisons? Dialysis clinics? There are infusion therapy clinics, dermatology clinics, there is a Hotze Health and Wellness clinic in Katy that does holistic-type of medicine.

And don't rule out psych. I know there are TONS of those. Spring branch, memorial, Devereaux which is out towards Pasadena.

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Specializes in NICU.

I never thought a infusion therapy clinic would hire a new grad. I would be interested in a dialysis clinic. Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought home health agencies really didn't provide a good orientation for a new grad.

I barely made it out of psych alive and would not want to live that horror again unless I had to. With working in clinics how much pay difference would that be?? Only reason I'm asking is I have a previous degree which I stil haven't paid off so once both are out of deferment I will have to pay a lot of money and would like to eat everyday :)

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Well, my first job as an LVN, with NO medical experience what so ever was in a dialysis clinic. From there I went to Home health. I am not one of those that believes you have to get med/surg experience first. I think people can learn any type of nursing if properly trained. That being said, I was older when I went into nursing school, and I have always had people oriented jobs. I learn very quickly, and I don't push the limit when I don't understand something, I ask someone for help. Also, believe it or not, I was a waitress for more years than I care to admit which I totally believe fostered my time management skills out of the gate.

In essence, all I am saying is don't limit yourself, but know your limitations. I got my first job at a job fair. I would have taken anything to get my feet wet. Good luck!

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TexnMedic, I don't know if there is a way to PM but I had a question for you: I'm from NY and have been a paramedic for 5 years. I'm graduating next month and am wondering how to go about this employment thing because I too don't feel like I fit into the "new grad" box. Should I wait until I have license in hand to apply/interview for positions I want or should I go with the hoards of my classmates with 0 experience and beg for entry levels now and hope to trade up once employed? Thanks.

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Specializes in ICU.

Proudblood, are you going to be applying in the Houston area? 5 out of my seven years was 911 experience so I know that helped me out. I don't think it would have helped me out so much if imworked on a transfer truck all of those years running the BS. I applied at one place before I was actually licensed and got the job. After I was licensed I applied at two hospitals and received interviews for both and was offered one of the jobs. These were all ER/ICU positions because I refuse to work anywhere else. I think the paramedic experience helps. The only GN position I applied for was UTMB and I never got a call. My suggestion is to look at the suburban/out of the med center hospitals. Get in and get your 1-2 years experience and go anywhere you would like. The med center and bigger hospitals are looking BSN and the competition down here is absurd because every community college here is pumping out 3 graduating classes a year or more. The economy has screwed new grads as in the hospitals don't want to pay someone 3-6 months to train them. They are paying two people for one position during that time. They are all looking for experience.

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Specializes in ICU.

Also, every position I applied for(other than UTMB) required 1-2 years of nursing experience. I applied to four places total. If you take UTMB out of the equation I got interviews for the other three positions. I was offered 2 out of the 3. So don't let the "required work experience" scare you away when looking. HCA actaually counts each year of paramedic experience as 1/2 a year of nursing experience when they figure your pay rate.

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TexnMedic, I wasn't planning on applying in the Houston area. I was considering Dallas but figured I'd ask you because you sounded like you were from the same boat. I was on 911 as well for 5 years but also took vent and MICU transfers occassionally. I am getting my BSN but it's seeming like EVERYONE is having a hard time finding work no matter what degree. We have 14 nursing schools in my metropolitan area and they're churning out thousands of grads a year. The hospitals that I have talked to so far have wanted to put me in the same box as the rest of their new grads, I feel like I deserve a little more considering I have a lot of experience. I think I will take your advice and start looking more to the suburbs. Any other advice you could offer would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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