What's it like to be a nurse in Austin?

[MtnLion512]

Originally Posted by WDaleHerring

I have to agree. Other than the hot weather, Austin has seemed perfect in every aspect for me. I am currently single with no children (23 years old) so I don't think I'll be paycheck-to-paycheck but I'm also thinking about the long term.

Does anyone know if any of the hospitals can commit to scheduling you overtime? My buddy here in Pensacola was hired with the agreement that he'd get four 12s a week. I'd definitely be interested in something like that.

Lastly, I haven't seen anyone recommend hospitals. I'm not familiar with the area as I still have a little over a year before I want to move but I'd like to become familiar with some names and further my research. Thanks!

As far as a hospital committing to scheduling overtime, I have never heard of anything like that happening here. Definitely doesn't happen at my hospital. The Seton Hospitals are scaling back bonus pay in general big time right now, so I strongly doubt they're committing to giving people overtime.

There are 2 big hospital systems: Seton and St. David's. SD is owned and operated by HCA (based out of Florida) and Seton is affiliated w/ the Roman Catholic church. As a new nurse, the difference in work experience between the two is going to be close to nil. Seton has a better, more established residency program (Versant), St David's has much better tuition reimbursement if you plan on getting an advanced degree. I know many people who love working at both places, and many who don't. Coming for Florida, you will have to get your RN license first before being able to work here since FL is not part of the NLC.

I caution you to think long and hard about moving here if you hate the heat and your ideal climate is Portland OR. Austin often seems like the perfect place to live for lots of people, but there is no minimizing the heat aspect. Much of your life here is going to be spent hot and sweaty, if that sounds terrible to you then it's unlikely Austin truly is the perfect place for you. Why not move to Portland, Seattle or northern Cal?

[MedicalPartisan]

Originally Posted by MtnLion512

As far as a hospital committing to scheduling overtime, I have never heard of anything like that happening here. Definitely doesn't happen at my hospital. The Seton Hospitals are scaling back bonus pay in general big time right now, so I strongly doubt they're committing to giving people overtime.

There are 2 big hospital systems: Seton and St. David's. SD is owned and operated by HCA (based out of Florida) and Seton is affiliated w/ the Roman Catholic church. As a new nurse, the difference in work experience between the two is going to be close to nil. Seton has a better, more established residency program (Versant), St David's has much better tuition reimbursement if you plan on getting an advanced degree. I know many people who love working at both places, and many who don't. Coming for Florida, you will have to get your RN license first before being able to work here since FL is not part of the NLC.

I caution you to think long and hard about moving here if you hate the heat and your ideal climate is Portland OR. Austin often seems like the perfect place to live for lots of people, but there is no minimizing the heat aspect. Much of your life here is going to be spent hot and sweaty, if that sounds terrible to you then it's unlikely Austin truly is the perfect place for you. Why not move to Portland, Seattle or northern Cal?

Portland's local economy is suffering tremendously. They're even cutting back education funding. The more research I do on Portland the more I feel it's overrated. Austin has everything I want (with the exception of climate). A great nightlife, a HUGE music scene (although I don't play, music is everything to me), great outdoor activities, et cetera. I also figure any place that is holding out fairly strong during these terrible economic times is a place I want to be. I'm sure some locals may not think the same, but compared to many other metro areas, I feel it is. Also, there are certain things I'm picky about in terms of money and cost of living is one of them (food being another, I'm an exceptionally cheap eater haha). Places like Seattle and San Fran have ridiculous COLs. With the exception of places where there are unions, it's really not worth it because in general nursing pay doesn't differ too much.

I'm in a tough spot because Austin seems perfect for me based on research but the climate (allergies included) are really a big factor as well.