Why the high pay in Texas?

Roland · Apr 22, 2004

You know I've always thought Alaska was beautiful do nurses really make good money there? Of course in Alaska, there are just to few women for the men. I'd be worried about my wife. Seriously, my "ad hoc" survey at salary.com comparing salaries to cost of living showed Houston to be superior over Indianapolis, Pittsburg, Tampa, Phillie, and of course Oahu. That search was for a generic ICU nurse (I course I don't know how accurate salary.com is only that they claim to do good research). Also, when you factor in the lack of income tax Texas becomes even more economically attractive (except relative to Florida which also doesn't have income tax). Many have spoken negatively about Houston in particular. Why is this, I was impressed by the city (although those high way ramps were SO high they literally made me dizzy to drive up and look at).

CougRN · Apr 22, 2004

Roland, probably because Houston is referred to as "the armpit of the US" it's humid as hell there. but give it a try if you feel you want to live there.

Roland · Apr 22, 2004

Hmm, IF we live there I won't listen to the A/C contractor this time. He told me that a bigger air compressor wouldn't cool any better at our current home. If we live in Texas, then I'm going to want several air compressors. Can they wire refrigeration technology directly into every room so I could get the temp. down to an even 35degrees in each room (that would also help facilitate weight loss).

No matter what you can't deny the pluses for Houston:

a. Good nursing pay.

b. Good job market (wife has NT received call back for any student nurse positions for summer here (except for home heath agencies), even though she had five offers by this time last summer.

c. Low housing costs.

d. Not that far from the Gulf.

e. Books stores, plays, strip clubs, dance clubs libraries, and really good beef barbecue. "Neat" downtown atmosphere. Professional sports. Major airport. Lots of Democrats and Republicans (a plus for what is overall a conservative state). I hate it when everyone thinks like I do, the more diversity the better.

f. At least two CRNA schools. No Enron. Local economy should benefit from high oil prices making the job market even better.

g. Hot/humid weather should discourage overeating.

aRNnAR · Apr 22, 2004

Here's another theory on why nursing pay in general may be higher in Texas. I have noticed that most nurses tend to be "left of center." For instance, my wife's nursing instructor did an ad hoc pole of the class on the abortion issue and found that only five students (out of 48) supported the recent ban on partial birth abortion (the other students felt that it was an intrusion on the Dr. patient relationship or had other objections). Now I have noted that many who would describe themselves "left of center" really dislike Texas (this has only increased since Bush was elected and people have become if anything more polarized). Thus, it may be that Texas, a state with a high demand for nurses has trouble attracting them because many are unwilling to live there at any price. Personally, I would dress of in a pink mu mu and sing love sonnets to France's President Jacque Chirac for the right salary and benefits package (I always ask myself what would Homer do before making a serious decision).

Interesting theory; however, i think that most nurses are pro-choice because most nurses are female & most women believe in a woman's right to choose.

nurseunderwater · Apr 22, 2004

This is no where near the type of liberal living I am talking about. I am talking about living in a city where I can paint my house purple, Drive a 1952 volkswagon bus and have long hair without anyone thinking I look or act funny. Actually, I may be short two or three cars with only three. I am talking about a state where Gay marriage is being considered. The former governer (republican BTW Roland) wanted to leagalize it (you know what I mean), he was a marathon runner, hang glider and overall pretty nice guy. Most of the country thought he was crazy, but he fit right in there.
I want real mountains, and open space to roam.
Liberal means different things to different people.

Hmmmm.... Boulder, Nederland - CO, Austin, Tx, Eugene OR - Nelson BC

a fellow purple lover :)

Roland · Apr 22, 2004

Actually, national poles by Gallop and Roper show about an even split on abortion among women across age ranges, it depends upon how the question is qualified. In addition, national poles about so called Partial Birth/dilation extraction abortion reveal over seventy percent of women support a ban on the procedure (with exceptions for the life of the mother.) So the very small, unscientific sample conducted in my wife's class is very unusual since approximately ninty percent opposed legislation against the procedure. Of course as was pointed out Indianapolis could be an exception (or the ad hoc pole not representative of actual atitudes), but we are known for being relatively conservative, certainly relative to cities like Chicago, Boston, New York ect.

Keep in mind that even allnurses is probably not a good measure of the values of nurses since most studies have shown that conservatives tend to be overrepresented on the Internet (thus Allnurses may underrepresent the left of center perspective as it relates to nursing).

alansmith52 · Apr 23, 2004

if threads could have personalities.

this one has all the charteristics of an oppressed group, who having felt betrayed by god decided to go on its own "plane" (as far as moral resposiblity goes). so it went up to the mountains to "find itself". and swore it would never go back down to civilization. if this thread came to work in my former ICU it would be the nurse comming to tell me to empty my folley before it "explodes" (as if). whilst he/she went out for a smoke. :clown:

and if any of this makes sense I'd say your reading the best thread for you.

addition: id just like to add that I am not left of center. although I wont vote for george either. but only because of what he has/hasn't done for my profession.

Hodge · Apr 23, 2004

Hmm. The higher pay must be to offset the stigma of having to reside in the same state that George W. Bush calls home!

tylerlvn · Apr 23, 2004

Texas is beautiful. Just today while driving I was amazed at the fields of bluebonnets as far as the eye could see. The people are really nice and friendly. I love it here and cannot imagine ever wanting to leave. It is humid in the summer but, we have great mild winters. I see the northern states on the news shoving their cars out of the snow - no thanks! I am still a student so I really cannot say about the pay.

Roland · Apr 23, 2004

if threads could have personalities.
this one has all the charteristics of an oppressed group, who having felt betrayed by god decided to go on its own "plane" (as far as moral resposiblity goes). so it went up to the mountains to "find itself". and swore it would never go back down to civilization. if this thread came to work in my former ICU it would be the nurse comming to tell me to empty my folley before it "explodes" (as if). whilst he/she went out for a smoke.
and if any of this makes sense I'd say your reading the best thread for you.
addition: id just like to add that I am not left of center. although I wont vote for george either. but only because of what he has/hasn't done for my profession.

That is some weird wild stuff which would probably require great introspection to grasp (or perhaps some LSD and a Stanley Kubrick film).

mariessas_mom · Apr 26, 2004

I visited Dallas once many years ago, I loved the people and the city but I just could not take the heat and humidity, it is so oppressive. I lived in S. FL at the time and thought that was bad until I went to TX. If it wasn't for the heat and humidity I would love to live there.

That's funny. I live in Dallas and the humidity does not bother me. On a trip to Disneyworld a couple of years ago, in December, no less I was sweating bullets from the humidity.

Texas Born

Texas Bred

When I'm Gone,

I'll Be Texas Dead!

zenman · Apr 26, 2004

Posted by psychrn03: Although I'll be the first to admit the heat and humidity is dreadful.

Oh, you're nuts! Texas is not humid...Louisiana and Mississippi...now that's humidity!