{"id":5766,"date":"2022-11-03T16:53:13","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T16:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=5766"},"modified":"2023-10-03T21:52:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T21:52:25","slug":"career-tips-houston-nurses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-guides\/career-tips-houston-nurses\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Career Tips for Houston Nurses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Career growth is often a high priority for many Houston nurses, but what\u2019s the best way to get ahead? Whether you\u2019re researching staff or temporary nursing jobs in Houston or already working in Space City, learning more about in-demand specialties, local pay norms and top employers can help you find opportunities that check your boxes. Consider the following career tips to assist you in developing your nursing practice in Houston.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Gain Experience with Houston Travel Nurse Positions<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nurses with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/why-do-travel-nurses-need-one-year-of-experience\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">minimum of one year of experience<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may consider taking shifts in the Houston metro through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/travel-nurse-contracts-vs-permanent-nurse-jobs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel nursing contracts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Being a travel nurse can provide exciting opportunities in various nursing specialties, as well as letting you temporarily live in diverse locations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travel nursing may open doors to working in high-performing healthcare facilities and expose you to new technologies, treatment regimens and procedures. It often helps nurses develop skills in communication, adaptability, confidence, leadership and cultural awareness while offering diverse <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">career and personal development<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re thinking about permanently relocating to Houston, a travel nurse assignment is a great way to discover what <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-guides\/texas-location-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">life in Texas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is like for a nurse. You also have the opportunity to build your professional network before potentially making it your new home.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Research Top Healthcare Employers in Houston<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5570\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/Houston-Methodist-Resize-scaled-e1664989726456.jpg\" alt=\"Houston Methodist\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working with one of Houston\u2019s highly-rated healthcare employers typically provides plentiful opportunities to advance your career. For example, positions may offer additional specialist training or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/certifications\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">professional certifications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, opportunities to attend conferences and greater promotion potential.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to U.S. News &amp; World Report, the top hospitals in Houston include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/spotlight-houston-methodist\/\"><b>Houston Methodist Hospital<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This Magnet-certified facility is one of the largest hospitals in Texas. The system-wide float pool lets RNs enjoy travel nursing perks without leaving Houston.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Baylor St. Luke\u2019s Medical Center<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Jointly owned by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/baylor-college-of-medicine-houston\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baylor College of Medicine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and CommonSpirit Health, this nationally ranking hospital was the first in Texas to obtain Magnet status.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/facilities\/memorial-hermann-health-system\/\"><b>Memorial Hermann Hospital<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This level 1 trauma center is one of the busiest in the country and the primary teaching facility for McGovern Medical School.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This Magnet-certified hospital uses modern technology and offers more than 40 specialty medical services.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each hospital is high-performing in various clinical specialties, medical procedures or conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is another one of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/healthcare-employers-in-houston\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Houston\u2019s great healthcare employers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the country\u2019s biggest cancer treatment and research facility. Specialist positions include those in the oncology and pediatric oncology, radiology and palliative care fields. Nurses specializing in the musculoskeletal system may find attractive opportunities at Texas Orthopedic Hospital, while those specializing in pediatrics may consider jobs at Children\u2019s Memorial Hermann Hospital.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Discover Average Nurse Salaries in Houston<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nursing\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nursing salaries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can differ substantially across the nation, so it\u2019s important to research Houston pay norms before accepting a position. In 2021, Texas was among the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/top-5-highest-paying-staff-rn-locations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">top five highest-paying states for nursing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of late October 2022, Houston registered nurses (RNs) in staff positions earned an average of $39.11 per hour. This average was higher than the state and national averages of $35.84 and $37.24, respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nursing\/travel\/houston-tx\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Houston travel nurse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> jobs paid an average of $2,388 per week during this period, which was higher than the state weekly average of $2,310 but lower than the national average of $2,672. Of course, you must consider <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/understanding-travel-nursing-tax-rules\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tax rules<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and rates and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/travel-nurse-housing-tips-and-tricks\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel housing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> costs when determining the average travel nurse salary in Houston. According to Sperling\u2019s Best Places, the overall cost of living in Houston is lower than the national average, with potentially significant savings on housing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salaries also vary according to experience and specialty, so it\u2019s helpful to compare various nursing fields. The average weekly wages in late October 2022 for travel\u00a0RNs in Houston in a few top specialties included:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Utilization review: $3,743<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pediatrics operating room: $3,408<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hematology\/oncology: $3,052<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardiovascular operating room: $2,987<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pediatrics emergency room: $2,886<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Operating room: $2,802<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During this same period, licensed vocational nurses in Houston averaged $23.24 hourly in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/lpn-lvn\/houston-tx\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">staff roles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and $1,327 per week in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/lpn-lvn\/travel\/houston-tx\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel positions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The average <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/cna\/houston-tx\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hourly rate for staff certified nursing assistants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (CNAs) was $13.65, while the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/cna\/travel\/houston-tx\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">weekly average for travel CNAs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was $693. Nurse practitioners (NPs) earned an average of $60.07 per hour and $3,554 per week for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nurse-practitioner\/houston-tx\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">staff NP roles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nurse-practitioner\/travel\/houston-tx\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel NP jobs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Find Out Which Houston Nurse Employers Pay the Most<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find jobs with Houston\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/travel-nurse-agency-tips\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best travel nurse agencies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with competitive salaries. Top-paying agencies for Houston travel nurse jobs in late October 2022 included:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EGA Associates<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CrossMed \u2013 Cath Lab<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allyon<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Traveler<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pamela\u2019s List<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jackson Nurse Professionals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vibra Travels<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spire Workforce Solutions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare organizations paying staff RNs particularly well during this period included Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann Health System, Insight Global and Core Medical.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Check Additional Employment Benefits<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alongside a good salary, consider any extra employment benefits when comparing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/explore\/houston-tx\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nursing jobs in Houston<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Job perks may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comprehensive insurance coverage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wellness and employee assistance programs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paid time off and sick leave<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Childcare services<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flexible shift patterns<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funding or reimbursement for tuition or training<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relocation expenses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commuter benefits and free on-site parking<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both staff and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nursing\/travel\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel nurse positions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can include a variety of attractive benefits, so don\u2019t overlook these non-monetary benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Apply for In-Demand Roles<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/Emergency-department-Resized-scaled-e1667494279364.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can increase your employment prospects by applying for in-demand specialty positions and obtaining <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/5-nursing-certifications-in-high-demand\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sought-after certifications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0However, jobs are plentiful in Houston for all types of nursing positions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Per Philadelphia\u2019s Drexel University, the United States is experiencing a nationwide shortage of qualified nurses and cites Texas as one of the top five states with the biggest demand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a University of Houston 2022 interview, Kathryn Tart, the founding dean of UH College of Nursing, said the nursing shortage had been around for decades. She also mentioned issues surrounding nurses <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/inspiration\/how-to-handle-nursing-burnout-in-2022\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suffering from\u00a0burnout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> caused by insufficient staffing and the inability to take meaningful breaks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare specialties currently in high demand in Houston include telemetry and emergency department. Job listings also include multiple openings for nurses specializing in neurology, pediatrics, home health, labor and delivery, intensive care, orthopedics, operating room and case management. If you\u2019re seeking senior roles, Vivian\u2019s job board includes leadership, management and director positions for qualified RNs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>7. Network with Other Houston Nurses<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building local connections can be a beneficial stepping stone in your career, with contacts potentially referring you for promotions and providing details about exciting vacancies. Getting to know other Houston-based nurses can bring friendship and support from those who understand the profession&#8217;s daily triumphs and challenges. Additionally, networking is a great way to share knowledge, build skills and stay updated about local news and industry developments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meetup and Eventbrite regularly list events for medical professionals. You could also join Facebook groups for Houston nurses, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Houston Nurses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This private Facebook group has 15,000+ members who actively share information related to training and education, job opportunities, internships and informal meetups.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Houston Area Nurses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This group has around 10,000 members and provides a safe, private and inclusive online space for nurses to engage openly and share information.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should also check your professional nursing organizations and follow their social media groups for even more networking opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Join Local Nursing Organizations and Associations<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Becoming a\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/nurse-organizations-boost-career\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">professional nursing organization<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> member is a terrific way to enhance your career outlook. Organizations typically provide training and certification options, networking groups, opportunities to attend conferences and webinars, and various other membership benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National organizations include the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Professional Association of Nurse Travelers. You\u2019ll also find organizations based around particular nursing specialties, such as the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the Emergency Nurses Association, and those serving nurses from minority backgrounds or underrepresented groups, such as the National Black Nurses Association and Health Professionals Advancing\u00a0LGBTQ Equality.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many national organizations have regional or state chapters to provide local news, opportunities and networking, with some local groups specific to Houston and Texas. Some professional organizations for nurses working in Houston include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston (<\/b><b>BNAGH)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A chartered organization of the National Black Nurses Association, the BNAGH provides an outlet for Black Houston nurses to advocate for the medical needs of African Americans and develop strategies for equal healthcare access. It also offers support to Black nurses and facilitates discussions and the sharing of ideas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Houston Korean Nurse Association (HKNA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The HKNA connects Korean nurses to provide support, comradeship, discussions and opportunities. Members work on diverse projects to improve healthcare access for Korean Americans, including screening programs, seminars and health fairs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Houston Area Association of Neonatal Nurses (<\/b><b>HAANN)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: HAANN is the local chapter of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses and supports neonatal nurses through networking, learning opportunities and practice-related research and developments. Membership includes local leadership and volunteer opportunities, seminars and conferences, publications and discounts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Houston Chapter Oncology Nursing Society (HCONS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The HCONS represents Houston-based nurses specializing in oncology and cancer care. Members benefit from free training, education and professional development, including webinars, conferences and courses. The chapter also offers grants and scholarships for nurses interested in pursuing further education or obtaining certification in the oncology field.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Association for Nursing Professional Development &#8211; Houston Affiliate (ANPDH)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: ANPDH advances general nursing developments and supports nurses wishing to progress in their careers. It holds monthly meetings and offers opportunities for local leadership, networking, mentoring and education. Members may also connect with professional development specialists to discuss best practices in diverse nursing fields.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Houston Area Nurse Practitioners (HANP)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: HANP offers support, training and development for nurse practitioners throughout Houston and encourages nurses wishing to enter the profession. It maintains a vast collection of professional resources, promotes diverse local volunteering opportunities and facilitates local meetings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Texas Nurses Association (TNA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: TNA is an affiliate of the ANA and the largest state nursing association nationwide. Membership is open to all nurses throughout Texas, regardless of specialty, experience, workplace or city. Members can attend live webinars to learn more about current topics and benefit from virtual and in-person training and education. TNA also offers several tools and initiatives to help nurses develop their practice, including the Texas Nurses app and the Peer Assistance Program, and statewide nursing awards help motivate, celebrate, inspire and honor Texas&#8217; many nurses.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore healthcare employers, average salaries and insights that can boost your nursing career.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":5767,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[118],"tags":[290,294,339,320,295,303,75,87,90,309],"class_list":["post-5766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-guides","tag-discipline","tag-employment","tag-houston","tag-houston-tx","tag-location","tag-permanent","tag-rn","tag-texas","tag-travel","tag-tx"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/Houston4-Resized-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5766"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5766\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5767"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5766"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}