Lone Star State Offers Big Opportunities for Travel RNs
RN jobs in Texas have many career and lifestyle perks
By Melissa Wirkus Hagstrom, contributor
As the largest state in the contiguous United States, and the second most populous, Texas has a lot to offer to travel RNs looking for professional growth, adventure and a good dose of culture, food and fun. In fact, the Texas State Board of Nursing is actively processing registered nurse licenses to keep up with the demand.
And why not? From enjoying big city living in Houston or Dallas to rocking out in Austin--the state’s capital and the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World®”--there is something for everyone to do in The Lone Star State.
Fortunately for nurse travelers, RN jobs in Texas are plentiful, according to Brandi Gallegos, senior recruitment manager for Onward Healthcare, an AMN Healthcare company. The company currently has contracts for travel RNs all across the state.
“Houston metro, Dallas metro, and San Antonio have the highest concentration of hospitals looking for nurses,” she explained. “However, needs post across the whole state and we even get jobs along the coastline in towns like Corpus Christi.”
Cities, seashores and more: The fun side of RN jobs in Texas
Texas is known for a number of things: big cities and colorful small towns; famous barbeque, chili and other regional fare; sporting events; the “Don’t Mess with Texas” attitude; and historical sites. It also boasts some impressive seashores that are worth a visit. Take Galveston Island, for example. Just 50 miles from Houston, this vacation destination offers over 30 miles of beaches, beautiful Victorian homes, great dining and a chance for travel nurses to escape and unwind.
If shopping and history sound appealing, then travel RNs may want to consider an assignment in San Antonio. In addition to the top-rated hospitals and medical centers found in the area, the state’s second-most-populated city features the historic Alamo and the unique San Antonio River Walk, a network of pathways along the river that intersect and lead to a variety of dining, shopping and nightlife attractions.
RN licensing and the Texas State Board of Nursing
Nurses who are looking for an assignment in Texas and don’t already reside in the Lone Star State can get started by obtaining a temporary or permanent RN license through the Texas State Board of Nursing. “The temporary license takes on average 3–4 weeks to be issued and a permanent license takes about 8–12 weeks to be issued,” Gallegos said. “Travel nurses can work on a temporary license.”
In addition to helping match nurses with travel RN jobs in Texas, the recruiters and professionals at Onward Healthcare can help answer questions and guide travelers through the state licensing process.
“Recruiters can advise nurses to apply and fill out the endorsement application in order to start the process for obtaining a license in Texas,” she explained.
The Texas State Board of Nursing participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which currently allows nurses holding any one of 25 compact state licenses to practice in both their home state and other compact states. If you hold an RN license in Arizona or New Mexico, for example, you can take a travel nurse assignment in Texas without having to obtain a separate license.
Demand for travel RN jobs in Texas
Gallegos noted that her company is currently seeing a demand for nurses across all specialties in Texas, but some practice settings have more travel nurse jobs available than others due to different patient populations, seasonal fluctuations and other key variables.
“We are seeing a very high demand for ICU, LD, ER, Med Surg/Tele openings. We will also see a lot of pediatrics and PICU openings during the fall and winter months.”
According to the U.S. News and World Report, Texas has more than 600 hospitals, including eight which are nationally ranked and 45 others that meet standards for strong performance on the magazine’s annual list of best hospitals. This thriving health care landscape, combined with the country’s biggest melting pot of attractions, lifestyles, and economies--and a competitive cost of living--makes America’s biggest state an appealing place for travel RNs.
“Texas is a great state to visit with a lot of contracts for travel nurses,” Gallegos concluded. “It has a lot to offer in culture, fine arts, and beaches on the coastal side.”
Want to find travel nursing jobs in Texas or any of the other 49 states? TravelNursing.com can connect you with just the right career opportunity for your goals. Apply today!
Updated June 2017.
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