nursing job incentives in austin? (Houston, Dallas: schools, wage, living in)

[somersetsoccermom]

I'm an experienced (12yrs), R.N. wondering, among other things, if any of Austins many hospitals are offering any relocation incentive packages? Have worked many different hospital departments and shifts as staff R.N. Have recieved lots of offers from Arizona and New Mexico thru "Monster", but curiously no active advertisements from Austin area. Any thoughts on this? I thought at one time that Texas had a nursing shortage?

[TexasGirl@Heart]

I am curious to know this info as well. I am an ICU nurse with over 16 years experience...looking to move out of Pittsburgh to the Austin area.

[mrsengle]

I've never seen a relocation package per se. I have seen sign-on bonuses (I'm sure those are common, though). Austin has two nursing schools, so maybe that's why you aren't seeing much on Monster.

[madlion7]

Are they 2 or 4 year programs? Does that mean that the salaries are good, if new grads are staying in the area?

[luzababy]

I, personally, wouldn't say the pay is any better than any other city here in Texas or surrounding states for that matter. They pay a little better than San Antonio and are comprable to Houston and Dallas. New grads receive sign on bonuses at Seton, which they don't offer for new hire RNs with previous experience.

[Wim]

My wife is an RN (BS in nursing) of almost 20 yrs. Considering relocating from a rural area in Northern Cal. Looking at Austin but shocked to notice that pay rate is HALF from California!!

[love roses]

I'm thinking the pay differences from California to Texas are the way they are due to the cost of living.

[luzababy]

I'm an RN and just met another RN from CA and she actually stated the pay was about the same...she lived in the Southern part of CA, near Orange County. One hospital pays better than the other and both hospital do pay for relocation.

[Wim]

Originally Posted by love roses

I'm thinking the pay differences from California to Texas are the way they are due to the cost of living.

I am sure that cost of living in Austin is less than in CA, but it would have to be a WHOLE lot less to be going down from $50.-/hr to $28.-. I have a hard time imagining life could be so cheap down there (I'd love it if you could prove me wrong, and we would reconsider moving to Austin, for I heard it is a great place otherwise...)

[Wim]

Originally Posted by luzababy

I'm an RN and just met another RN from CA and she actually stated the pay was about the same...she lived in the Southern part of CA, near Orange County. One hospital pays better than the other and both hospital do pay for relocation.

Maybe your friend is a new grad. My wife is an RN (BS in nursing) for almost 20 yrs, and if we were to move from CA to Austin her pay would go down from $50.-/hr to about $28.-. We also know many nurses who have moved from TX to CA because of the wage difference.