Texas has its famous size, but also has cultural diversity, a reasonable cost of living, and no income tax. It also doesn't have enough nurses. More than 126,400 RNs are employed in the Lone Star State, making it number three in the country, according to the U.S. government's 2000 National Sample Survey. But there are only 606 nurses per 100,000 people in Texas, one of the nation's lowest averages. By 2008 the need for nurses will increase by 22% over 1998 figures.
LIVING IN TEXAS
Texas has some great opportunities-and some great places-for nurses who are thinking about relocating. The capital city of Austin, near the center of the state, is a huge growth area with housing that is still affordable. Baylor University, University of Texas-Austin, Southwestern University, and other educational opportunities are nearby.
Dallas, another growing area, is a major transportation hub and has been called "Silicon Prairie" for its high-tech industry. It also has a relatively low cost of living, as well as 26 colleges and universities and 60 hospitals in the area.
San Antonio, in the south, is the eighth largest city in the United States. It is a city enriched with the arts, history ("Remember the Alamo"), and plenty of outdoor activities. Health care and biotechnology are San Antonio's largest industries, and colleges and universities are nearby, including the University of Texas-San Antonio.
Sprawling Houston covers more ground than any other major U.S. city. It is called Bayou City for its winding waterways that provide green space and recreational opportunities throughout the city. Houston has mild winters and hot summers, and is home to such world-renowned facilities as the Johnson Space Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Texas Medical Center. Opportunities for higher education are available at Rice University, University of Houston, University of Texas-Houston, and more.
Your Guide to Opportunities in Texas
Baptist Health System417 Camden StreetSan Antonio, TX 78215Contact: Susan Flores, RN, BSN(210) 297-2872 or (800) 321-0537Fax: (210) [email protected]http://www.baptisthealthsystem.org
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa333 N. Santa RosaSan Antonio, TX 782072827 BabcockSan Antonio, TX 78229(800) 880-6877Fax: (210) [email protected]http://www.santarosahealth.org
Denton Community Hospital207 N. Bonnie BraeDenton, TX 76201Contact: Georgia Holland, nurse recruiter(940) 898-7063http://www.dentonhospital.comPositions available: Telemetry, ICU/Heart
Harris County Hospital District2525 Holly Hall, Ste. 270Houston, TX 77054Contact: nurse recruiter(800) 996-HCHD (4243)Fax: (713) [email protected]http://www.tmc.edu/hchd
Medical City Dallas Hospital7777 Forest LaneBuilding D, Suite #250Dallas, TX 75230Contact: Human Resources(972) 566-7070Fax: (972) [email protected]http://www.medicalcityhospital.com
Memorial Hermann Healthcare System9401 S.W. Freeway, Ste. 216Houston, TX 77074Contact: Human Resources(877) JOB-OPPS (877-562-6777)Fax: (713) [email protected]http://www.memorialhermann.org
Methodist Hospitals of Dallas1441 North Beckley AvenueDallas, TX 75203(214) 947-6510Fax: (214) [email protected]http://www.mhd.comJoin our nursing team and you could win a new VW Bug!
Parkland Health & Hospital System5201 Harry Hines BoulevardDallas, TX 75235(800) 527-0333Fax: (214) 590-8991http://www.pmh.org
St. David's Healthcare Partnership1025 East 32nd Street, Third FloorAustin, TX 78705Contact: Kathryn Turnbull, nurse recruiter(800) 443-6615Fax: (512) [email protected]http://www.stdavids.com
St. Luke's Episcopal Health System6720 Bertner Avenue, Room B002Houston, TX 77030Contact: Cheryl Talbot(800) 231-1000http://www.stlukestexas.com
Scott & White2401 South 31st StreetTemple, TX 76508Contact: Shirley Meadows, recruitment manager(800) 527-JOBSFax: (254) [email protected]http://www.sw.org/jobs
Texas Children's HospitalP.O. Box 300630, Medical Center 4-4232Houston, TX 77230-0630Contact: Winston Reed(832) 824-6556Fax: (832) [email protected]http://www.texaschildrenshospital.org
Texas Health Resources611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 200Arlington, TX 76011Contact: Karen DeLavan(800) 749-6877Fax: (866) [email protected]http://www.JobsTHR.com
University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 68Houston, TX 77030Contact: Nurse Recruitment Office(713) 792-7362 or 1-800-25 UTMDA, Option #3 twicehttp://www.mdanderson.org/careersPositions available: Inpatient, Outpatient, APN, CRNA, Critical Care, Research.