Nursing in Houston?

I am a nurse who has been looking to relocate 1) to a bigger city and 2) to get away from the cold winters in the Northeast.

After looking into cities that I've been to and liked as well as as researching the market for nursing, it looks like there is an abundance of opportunities in Houston and that the pay is great; I just wanted to inquire a couple of things.

1) Is the pay really that good? I hear that nurses there start off at around $38 an hour which is the same as in Connecticut where the cost is far more expensive. 2) What are the working conditions like for nurses in Houston? I know right now it's pretty universal with staffing shortages wherever you goa and what not, but since Texas is extremely anti union and more about supporting corporations, are the working conditions deplorable for nurses?