I R_N to: Austin, the ultimate southern gentleman

ATX

Reminiscin over how we used to flex in Texassssss. Honestly, have you ever heard anyone say anything awful about Austin?! The humidity doesn't count, it's Texas....get over it. IMO, Austin is your older brothers super hot best friend that will always make your knees weak. I feel like it's a city for the young and good looking. It's busting at the seams with incredible live music, mouth watering tacos and good vibes. Austin was my first travel nursing gig and I'm so glad he was my first. The city set the bar pretty high but the work was ehhhhh. Let's just say people aren't flocking by the bus load for healthcare treatment in Texas. I'm not hating on the hospital I worked at but I had just come from Duke, it's not even fair to compare the two hospitals. I was hired on as supplemental staff to help with their conversion to electronic medical records. They were going from paper charting to computer......again, it just seemed very antiquated to me. Everyone is incredibly friendly and the staff could not be more welcoming. The manager wore cowboy boots with her scrubs and I am not lying when I say she is one of the nicest humans I have ever worked with.

Hospital: Seton Medical Center, Austin, Texas

Neighborhood: West Austin in the cutest house I have ever seen rented off of Turn Key

Transportation: I (okay, my boyfriend at the time) drove my car 20 hours south to Austin. In my opinion you'll need a car in Austin, to run errands or take a weekend trip it is necessary. Austin broke up with Uber/Lyft last year so it won't be an option. But anything you can do, Austin can do better, they rolled out a nonprofit rideshare program, RideAustin.

Compensation: The pay was pretty much the same as what I was making in North Carolina, meaning it's horrible. The cost of living is so low that the pay package was fine. I lived in a very nice size two bedroom house with a screened porch and backyard, the dream! Everything's bigger in Texas, just not your paycheck.

Cost of living: The city continues to grow and attract those from the east and west coast looking for the best of both world, which in turn is causing the cost of living to increase. Compared to the rest of the country and taking into account their strong economy you are still getting a lot of bang for your buck. It's forever topping the lists of Best Places to Live. Food is super affordable and finding cheaper housing outside the city is an option.

My two cents: If there is a position in Austin, take it. I'm going to interview another travel nurse in the weeks coming to get an unbiased review of the hospital but at the end of the day, it's just work. You'll get through your 40 hours each week and spend your days off consuming tacos and beer or kayaking down Lady Bird Lake.