Relocating to Austin, Texas, for nursing school can be an excellent decision for your future. Moving for nursing school can help you begin your education sooner and find an ideal school for you. Moving to Austin also means you get to pursue a nursing career in this vibrant city.
When choosing where to attend nursing school, the options can get overwhelming. Finding a school that aligns with your values and career goals and saves you time is a challenge, but relocating to Austin, Texas, can make it easier.
Concordia University Texas offers our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track in Austin, with another location in Dallas. The fast-paced, 16-month hybrid ABSN track equips you to become a competent and compassionate nurse. In this post, we’ll discuss why moving to Austin for nursing school can set you up for a fruitful career and enjoyable lifestyle.
Learn more about what nursing school is like in the ABSN track.
Why Choose Nursing in Austin?
Before relocating to Austin, Texas, to pursue your nursing degree at CTX, you want to ensure it’s a suitable place for your future career. You may wonder, “What are the career benefits if I go to nursing school in another state?” Thankfully, Austin is a prime city for nursing, and moving to Austin can be an excellent way to set yourself up professionally.
1. Demand for Nurses
The demand for nurses in Texas is another reason to consider relocating for nursing school. Job security is a big deal, especially if you have a family to support. It’s important to work in a place where you’re valued and needed.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas is the second largest employer of registered nurses (RNs) of any state. The Austin-Round Rock area alone employs as many as 12,450 nurses. Because of this, the city of Austin will be a prime place to find your first nursing role after graduation.
2. Salary
Although several factors other than salary come into play when choosing where to live, you can breathe easy knowing that nurse salary expectations in Austin are competitive. According to the BLS, the average yearly salary in the Austin-Round Rock area is $81,430 as of May 2021, higher than the average for the U.S. This means your investment into nursing school will be well worth it when you graduate and start a rewarding career in Austin.
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3. Career Outlook
If you’re interested in growing your nursing expertise and pursuing an advanced practice nursing role, Austin is an excellent place to make that happen. According to the BLS, the Austin-Round Rock area employs 1,300 nurse practitioners with an average salary of $120,850.
Texas also has the country's highest number of nurse anesthetists, employing 3,920 statewide. Additionally, Texas employs the third highest number of nurse midwives (450) compared to other states. Relocating to Austin, Texas, is a wise move if you'd like to pursue an advanced nursing role.
Benefits of Living in Austin
Now that you know why Austin is such a great place for nurses, let’s explore the lifestyle perks of this city. Here are a few reasons moving to Austin will enrich your life.
1. Food
Austin has a wide array of culinary delights, ranging from Tex-Mex to Mediterranean to Japanese and everything in between. You’ll even find stellar food trucks throughout the city. A few of the must-taste eateries in Austin include:
- Hestia: Fine dining
- Uchi: Japanese
- Justine’s: French
- Suerte: Mexican
- Juniper: Italian
2. Art and Music
If you’re passionate about music and arts, Austin will not disappoint. You can hear live music weekly at many music halls and lounges across the city. Plus, the Austin City Limits Music Festival is just one of the city’s annual music festivals.
If you enjoy art, Austin has much to offer with its rich art scene. You can visit places like the Blanton Museum of Art or the Flatbed Press and Gallery or buy local art at the Pecan Street Festival. For film lovers, the Austin Film Festival is a highly respected event with some of the year’s top films. For music, film, and tech lovers, you’ll want to check out SXSW.
3. Climate
If you’re accustomed to dealing with the brutal winters that accompany a place with four seasons, you’ll be in for a treat when you move to Austin. The winters in Austin are mild and temperate, and the springs and autumns are comfortably warm. While the summers can get hot, the humidity level is lower than in some cities in Texas, like Houston. As long as you have air conditioning and access to outdoor water activities, you’ll get to enjoy Austin’s climate.
4. Education
If you want to raise a family, your kids’ education is a big factor when deciding whether to move. Rest assured that moving to Austin, Texas, will mean access to highly rated public K-12 schools, according to Niche.
5. Outdoor Life
Because of Austin’s temperate climate, you can enjoy outdoor activities year-round. Austin is an exceptionally green city committed to preserving natural green spaces. A few of the many natural attractions of Austin include:
- McKinney Falls State Park
- Zilker Botanical Garden
- Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
- Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
- Lady Bird Lake
Choose CTX for Nursing School
Now you see why relocating to Austin, Texas, can be a fantastic career and life decision. At CTX, we’re excited to provide our students with a nursing education that will set them up for a rewarding career in Texas.
Follow these seven steps to become a nurse in Texas at an accelerated pace.
If you have 60+ non-nursing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may be an ideal fit for the ABSN track. When you begin nursing school, you’ll learn via a mix of online nursing coursework, hands-on nursing labs, and clinical rotations in the Austin area. After completing the ABSN track, you’ll be prepared to take the NCLEX and apply for your RN license.
Contact our admissions counselors today to see how relocating to Austin, Texas, for the ABSN track can accelerate your path to nursing.