Moving to COCO Beach

[Pudnluv]

Looking for some information. My boyfriend wants to move down to the Coco Beach area. I'm curious about what hospitals are down there? Can anyone tell me where a good place to work might be? Also what are the RN salaries in that area? I am currently living in Central New York. I've been and RN for 18 years and currently work in the ED. I'm looking to stay in the ER. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks:nurse:

[NYCRN16]

I had a FL license a few years ago when I was thinking of traveling, but i let it expire so i had to reapply all over again. The first time was longer because NYS didn't do online license verification but they do now. This time it took about a month and a half but there was some error in the computer that caused a delay, but it's all taken care of now. I'm sure yours won't take as long.You can do the application online, verify your NY license thru nursys and then get the fingerprint cards from them and go to your local police station to get printed. Don't forget to put the bar coded printout from the paid application in the envelope when you mail the fingerprints in. You also have to do the CE on HIV and preventing medical errors (2 separate classes) from an approved website (there are sites listed on the board of nursing website) that list them.

[Pudnluv, ASN, RN]

Thanks for the info....I'm gonna start the application process. Kiwi82....I'm not sure what attractions are there. I know the Air Force is base is there, and also Cape Canaveral. They call it the Space Coast. Everyone I know that has gone there has said the beaches are wonderful. According to my boyfriend, it isn't an area filled with geriatrics and I imagine with the Air Force base there, it is a younger community. If you want to pm me, feel free. It would be nice to have people I know when I get there.

[campercass]

Health First is recruiting experienced ED nurses right now. They are offering sign on bonuses and relocation expenses. Health First ER Nurse Recruitment | Brevard Florida Nursing Jobs | Emergency Room Nursing jobs

[nursejae]

Hi Guys,

I have been reading the post and is appreciative of the information that is provided. I am a canadian nurse who would love to work in Fl. I have a florida license as I made the attempt to move last year....currently I have 8 years exp and make about 37/hr. what is the pay rate in fort lauderdale, miami, . I am torn because I dont want to take a big pay cut.

[delphine22]

Brevard County is full of retirees, but Cocoa Beach is where most of the younger people live. The beach is awesome, there are bars and restaurants, jazz club, quaint shopping (or kitschy, if you're into the Ron Jon thing). It's certainly not Miami but it doesn't come with Miami's headaches either. Cocoa Beach is the closest beach to Orlando, so it's definitely more touristy than the other Space Coast beaches, which are usually locals only.

Just be very careful not to choose any housing sight-unseen -- there is plenty of cute, safe, older housing (think 60's space race/I Dream of Jeannie ranch houses) beachside, but there are sketchy areas too. (I Dream of Jeannie was filmed in Cocoa Beach, FWIW.) Lots of houses and condos should be coming up for rent as the space workers lose their jobs and move, but can't afford to sell their upside-down homes. You may end up living in Merritt Island, it's more of a residential community, not as touristy as Cocoa Beach, but safe and decent schools.

The nearest hospital is Cape Canaveral, which is actually in Cocoa Beach (on the causeway btw Cocoa Beach on the barrier island, and the mainland). It is owned by Health First, which is a non profit. They own several hospitals in the area and make it easy to self-schedule and float between the other facilities if you want to pick up shifts. Another close hospital is Wuesthoff, owned by HMA, in Rockledge.

I can't speak to salaries for experienced nurses, but brand new ADN grads make $20 before differentials. There are starting to offer signing bonuses again, esp for ED and ICU, but those are more plentiful in the winter months; census drops in the summer.

[Pudnluv, ASN, RN]

Just returned from 10 days in Cocoa Beach. I absolutely fell in love with the place. Yes, it's very touristy, but it is a beautiful seaside community. There is really a small town feel here. I am definitely making my plans to relocate there, hopefully next fall. While on vacation, I fell and broke my clavicle and tore my rotator cuff, so I did get an inside view of Cape Canaveral ED. The cost of living is a little more than what it is back home in Syracuse, NY, but I'm sure it is balanced out by what we have to pay for heat in the winter. Food seemed more expensive, but we quickly learned to avoid the Publix and shop at Winn-Dixie. We really aren't nightlife type people, but the nightlife there seems rockin. Anyways, I was sad to leave and can't wait for the time when I can call Cocoa Beach home.

[NYCRN16]

Just returned from 10 days in Cocoa Beach. I absolutely fell in love with the place. Yes, it's very touristy, but it is a beautiful seaside community. There is really a small town feel here. I am definitely making my plans to relocate there, hopefully next fall. While on vacation, I fell and broke my clavicle and tore my rotator cuff, so I did get an inside view of Cape Canaveral ED. The cost of living is a little more than what it is back home in Syracuse, NY, but I'm sure it is balanced out by what we have to pay for heat in the winter. Food seemed more expensive, but we quickly learned to avoid the Publix and shop at Winn-Dixie. We really aren't nightlife type people, but the nightlife there seems rockin. Anyways, I was sad to leave and can't wait for the time when I can call Cocoa Beach home.

Did you ever wind up moving there? I am now in the Tampa area and not loving where I work. Am seriously thinking about applying to the space coast hospitals.