Where the Nursing Jobs Are: Texas - Career News ...

Dyed-in-the-wool Texans see their state as a little piece of heaven on earth. Sorry ? that?s a big piece of heaven on earth ? because there?s nothing small about Texas, and that includes opportunities for nurses.

In fact, according to the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, the state will have an estimated 71,000 vacant nursing positions by 2020. In an effort to alleviate the anticipated shortage, the state government has initiated a number of programs, including the Center for Nursing Workforce Studies and the Nursing Innovation Grant Program. But chances are these efforts will fall short of eliminating the shortage, spelling Texas-sized opportunities for nurses.

Sophisticated medical centers

Don?t be fooled by media stereotyping into thinking Texas is all about cactus and cowboys. The state?s metropolitan centers boast some of the best medical centers in the world. For example, there?s the Baylor Healthcare System, with headquarters in Dallas and dozens of facilities in outlying areas. The system has earned an ever-growing list of awards for excellence, including a National Healthcare Quality Award from the National Quality Forum.

So the good news is that, as an RN, you should be able to find a challenging and satisfying job in Texas. Now here?s the bad news: Your salary is unlikely to measure up to those in a number of other states, including Massachusetts, New York and California. The median salary for an RN in Dallas is $65,346, compared with $89,000 in New York State. Of course, considering the continuing (and deepening) state nursing shortage that figure is certain to rise over the next few years. And here?s another important factor: It will cost you less to live in Dallas than in New York, Boston or San Francisco.

Low cost of living and lots to love

As of early 2012 the median list price for a home in Dallas was $229,999, compared with $550,000 in Boston and $498,190 in the San Francisco Bay area. And Texas is one of only seven states with no personal income tax, meaning you get to keep a little more of that paycheck.

But don?t think a low cost of living means settling for fewer lifestyle choices. ?Texas has it all ? rivers, piney woods, the beach, big cities, deserts, hills ? you name it, we have it and this is a big factor in why Texas is so awesome, well one factor anyway,? writes Texas booster Nate Shenk in Ten Reasons Why Texans Love Texas.

If you?d like to compare various U.S. cities with those in Texas, check out the data at City-Data.com. Forums there also weigh-in on best places to live. Many fans say, ?Go to Texas.?

Sounds like good advice for a job-hunting RN.

Search for nursing jobs in Texas.

About Sue Mellon

President of YourWriters.com, professional writer and editor with almost 30 years' experience. Written and edited the written word in every possible form--books, articles, online content, white papers, videos, podcasts, speeches--and in every possible subject area. Have specialized in healthcare, IT, business and finance, careers, food and nutrition and The Arts. Also taught writing at the college level. And when I have a little time I dabble in fiction-writing.

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