East Texas has a long history, and the region is home to a great deal of culture. Photo copyright Don Castello, courtesy of Texas Tourism

Texas is a huge state, second only to Alaska in size, yet many people view it with a sort of tunnel vision that reduces it down to just four major cities — Austin (the state capital), Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. One often-overlooked area is made up of the state’s gorgeous eastern counties, a region fondly known as the Piney Woods.

Locals say tourists who visit Texas without spending at least some time in the Piney Woods are missing a great deal. The area is stunningly beautiful and boasts wide-open expanses, a vast array of flora and fauna, and some of the state’s most significant culture and history. East Texas is also hungry for nurses, which makes the region ideal for RNs who are seeking a change of pace or scenery.

The beauty of East Texas is strongly complemented by the weather, which tends to be fairly mild year-round. The winters are very tolerable, with an average January low in the upper 30s F, but cooler temperatures and even snow are not uncommon. The summers tend toward the warm side, with highs in the mid to upper 90s F in June, July, and August. Overall, however, the weather is truly wonderful, with more than 200 days of sunshine.

On duty

Texas, like most states, is experiencing a nursing shortage, although the degree of need varies from region to region. “Currently, vacancies in larger Texas cities range from 5% to 7%,” says Clair Jordan, RN, MSN, executive director of the Austin-based Texas Nurses Association. Statewide, specialties most in demand include med/surg, OR, and perinatal.

The THA reports that one of the biggest problems facing Texas is a failure to replace the growing number of nurses who are leaving the profession due to job dissatisfaction or retirement. THA officials say that if this issue is not addressed soon, the need for nurses could become critical.

“Within the next 10 to 15 years, Texas will lose a substantial portion of its RN workforce due to retirement,” the THA notes on its website. “Enough younger nurses to carry on this vital profession and meet the growing health care needs of the aging baby boomer generation simply do not exist, and will not unless higher education produces more nursing graduates.”

The Texas Legislature is taking action to remedy the nursing drain. In 2001, it passed SB 572 — the Nursing Shortage Reduction Act — which secured nearly $26 million to increase enrollment in RN programs. “Texas chose to produce more registered nurses rather than recruit them from elsewhere because the shortage was nationwide,” Jordan explains. “The goal of the program was to increase the number of graduates by 20% each year for five years.”

East Texas is home to several excellent nursing programs, which is good news for nurses looking to advance their education or mentor a student nurse. A short list of program sites and what they offer includes —

• Tyler Junior College: associate degree program and fast-track LVN-to-ADN program
• The University of Texas at Tyler: bachelor’s degree program, MS/MSN degree program, fast-track RN-to-BS/BSN program, and a fast-track RN-to-MSN program
• The University of Texas at Tyler, Longview (via distance education): bachelor’s degree program, fast-track LVN-to-BS/BSN program, and a fast-track RN-to-BS/BSN program
• East Texas Baptist University in Marshall: bachelor’s degree program and a fast-track RN-to-BS/BSN program
• Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches: bachelor’s degree program and a fast-track RN-to-BS/BSN program

Although other Texas hospitals may be better known, the Piney Woods region has several excellent medical facilities. Longview is home to SemperCare Hospital of Longview, Good Shepherd Medical Center and Longview Regional Medical Center. Marshall has the Marshall Regional Medical Center. In Nacogdoches you’ll find Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital and the Cecil R. Bomar Rehabilitation Center. And in Tyler, one of the larger cities in the region with a population of more than 83,000, you’ll find Trinity Mother Frances Hospital and East Texas Medical Center.

Off duty

No matter how you find your fun — through history, culture, fine food, or by simply relaxing in the great outdoors — East Texas offers a lifetime of memorable experiences.

Old-timers are quick to note that the region has witnessed some of Texas’ most important historical moments, including the founding of 17th- and 18th-century missions by Spanish Franciscans and the state’s war of independence against Mexico. Numerous museums and other attractions document the Piney Woods’ evolution from Wild West territory to national and world leader in business, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Longview

Settled in the 1800s and developed by planters from the Old South after 1860, Longview was named by railroad surveyors who were impressed by the long-distance view from the top of Rock Hill. Today, Longview is a dynamic industrial center that claims more than 200 manufacturing firms. It’s also the home of LeTourneau University.

Longview has much to offer those looking for a fun day-trip. Among its many attractions are —

• Cargill Long Park, a two-mile walking, jogging, and bike trail flanked by towering pines and native flora.
• Gregg County Historical Museum, with exhibits devoted to local East Texas history, agriculture, communications, and the military. Reproductions include a banker’s office, parlor, kitchen, and the interior of a log cabin.
• Lone Star Speedway. Saturday night races feature International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) modifieds and hot stocks.
• Longview Museum of Fine Arts. Chartered in 1970, this museum houses a comprehensive collection of paintings, drawings, prints, photography, and sculpture with a focus on Texas-based artists.

Marshall

Settled in 1839, Marshall was designated the seat of Harrison County in 1842, and by the Civil War was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in Texas. Today, Marshall is renowned for its stoneware, which is produced from the area’s rich deposits of red and white clay. In fact, Marshall has 12 wholesale pottery manufacturers and four retail outlets within its limits. The city is also home to East Texas Baptist University, Texas State Technical College, and Wiley College.

Marshall is rich in history and boasts several historical districts and museums. Among the best are —

• Ginocchio National Historic District. Three square blocks in the heart of old downtown centering around the 1896 Ginocchio Hotel, one of the state’s finest examples of Victorian hotel architecture.
• Harrison County Historical Museum. Temporarily housed in the Ginocchio Hotel while the former county courthouse is remodeled, this museum features a variety of exhibits that depict the history of Marshall and Harrison County, including Caddo Indian artifacts and pioneer and Civil War memorabilia.
• Marshall Depot and Museum. Located in the heart of the Ginocchio National Historic District, the Texas and Pacific Depot houses both a train depot and museum full of railroad memorabilia and other items.
• Marshall Pottery & Museum. Established in 1896, Marshall Pottery is one of the largest manufacturers of glazed pottery in the nation, producing millions of clay and hand-turned stoneware pots each year. The museum details the history of the facility and has a number of exhibits.

Nacogdoches

Known as the “Oldest Town in Texas,” Nacogdoches is named for the region’s Caddo Indians. The city is often referred to as the “cradle of Texas liberty” and offers visitors unique insight into the fight for Texas independence via numerous landmarks and museums that pay tribute to the town’s historical past. Nacogdoches is also home to Stephen F. Austin State University.

Some of the more interesting attractions in Nacogdoches include —

• Lanana Creek Trail, a six-mile rustic trail through Pecan Acres Park along Lanana Creek. This scenic trail follows paths once traveled by regional Indians.
• Millard’s Crossing. A reconstructed historic village on 37 acres just north of the city, Millard’s Crossing depicts a broad sampling of East Texas architecture from a simple log cabin to Victorian buildings, all of which are furnished with antiques.
• Oak Grove Cemetery. This cemetery features graves that date from 1837 and monuments to four signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

East Texas is in bloom during the spring.
Photo copyright Mike Crabtree, courtesy of Texas Tourism.

The Municipal Rose Garden and Museum in Tyler is the
largest rose showcase in the country.
Photo courtesy of the Tyler, Texas Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Tyler

Chartered in 1847, this city was named for President John Tyler. Flowers are a common theme here because it’s renowned as the home of the Tyler rosebush, and people come from all over to enjoy the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail in late March and early April. The Texas Rose Festival, held the third week in October, also lures thousands of visitors.

A sampling of Tyler’s numerous attractions includes —

• Caldwell Zoo. Established in 1938 as a backyard menagerie, the Caldwell Zoo is now home to more than 2,000 endangered species from around the world.
• Dewberry Plantation. Completed in 1854, this is the oldest two-story building still standing in Smith County.
• Municipal Rose Garden and Museum. Spreading over 22 acres, this garden is the largest rose showcase in the U.S.

East Texas is a region steeped in history and early American culture. It’s also in need of all types of health care professionals, especially nurses. It stands with arms outstretched to greet RNs eager for new challenges.

The Caldwell Zoo in Tyler is home to mountain lions and more
than 2,000 endangered species from around the world.
Photo courtesy of the Tyler, Texas Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Downtown Tyler
Photo courtesy of the Tyler, Texas Convention and Visitors Bureau.