Relocating to Florida

U.S.A. Florida

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Hi Everyone,

My husband and I are considering relocating to Central Florida and I have been trying to research what to expect for salary if we decide to go. I have seen numbers all over the board and I was hoping maybe someone on here can give me a better idea.

I am a nurse from NJ with my BSN and 5 years experience. I have worked in PCU (telemetry), ICU/CCU, and cardiopulmonary rehab with a lot of charge nurse and preceptor experience.

Any help on what to expect down there would be very helpful and extremely appreciated. My husband and I really have our hearts on Florida but until we get a better idea of what to expect, it seems out of reach.

elkpark

14,633 Posts

Because so many people want to move to FL, it is v. much an employer's market. I was born and raised there, left the first chance I got, and have never considered returning. My sister moved back from another part of the country several years ago to be closer to our aging parents. She is not a nurse, but she had the top credentials, many years of experience, and great references in her field. She started job hunting, and found that she got offered entry level positions with really low wages and lousy benefits. When she attempted to negotiate better compensation she basically got told that, if she didn't want the job, there were plenty of other people who would take it and she shouldn't let the door hit her on the way out. She had to expand her job search to a few hours away from where she wanted to be, and ended up settling for a job that offered much lower pay and benefits than she had expected. Also, despite what people often say about low wage areas in the South, the cost of living is not significantly lower in Central FL. At least the housing bubble has now burst, so the housing situation isn't as dire as it was.

Do you like geriatrics? The state is well on its way to becoming a giant, open-air SNF. Eventually, the only people in FL will be old people and people with jobs taking care of old people.

If you're coming from the Northeast and haven't actually started job hunting yet, I think you're in for a rude surprise. Best wishes, though!

smalltownhero

149 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care.

I very much agree with what elkpark said. Hope you don't mind getting paid in " sunshine."

elkpark

14,633 Posts

I very much agree with what elkpark said. Hope you don't mind getting paid in " sunshine."

Oh, yeah, that's the cliche' that gets offered as a rationale for the lousy pay and benefits -- "We pay you in sunshine!" Well, when I can pay my mortgage and utility bills in sunshine, we can talk ...

vigoriki

7 Posts

Thank you for everyone who replied. I realize and understand the pay will be a lot different from what I am used to in NJ. I'm trying to find out how much less. If anyone can give me an idea in numbers that would be helpful. I tried calling some hospitals but they referred me to salary.com

Which I don't think is accurate/ it's showing a number not based off base pay.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Thank you for everyone who replied. I realize and understand the pay will be a lot different from what I am used to in NJ. I'm trying to find out how much less. If anyone can give me an idea in numbers that would be helpful. I tried calling some hospitals but they referred me to salary.com

Which I don't think is accurate/ it's showing a number not based off base pay.

With five years of experience and a BSN, you can expect to earn in the mid $20s per hour in central Florida.

vigoriki

7 Posts

With five years of experience and a BSN, you can expect to earn in the mid $20s per hour in central Florida.

Thank you for replying.

boragirl02

78 Posts

My husband is a nurse and we moved to Central Florida 8 years ago from NJ. His initial pay cut was almost $10 per hour! We had to make major adjustments at first but it was fine with us though coz the standard of living in FL is much lower than in NJ. Thank goodness we didnt buy a house in NJ before moving to FL. We have no regrets....FL is an awesome place to live in and its great for our children too!

vigoriki

7 Posts

My husband is a nurse and we moved to Central Florida 8 years ago from NJ. His initial pay cut was almost $10 per hour! We had to make major adjustments at first but it was fine with us though coz the standard of living in FL is much lower than in NJ. Thank goodness we didnt buy a house in NJ before moving to FL. We have no regrets....FL is an awesome place to live in and its great for our children too!

@boragirl02 Thank you for this insight. It means a lot. My husband and I are currently renting and we don't have children yet so we feel this is the time to make a major change like this. May I ask you what caused you and your family to relocate? We are moving to be closer to my husbands parents who have both been recently diagnosed with heart problems but also for a different lifestyle then nj. It's going to be very hard to give up what I currently make here but I guess my husband and I have some major decisions we are going to have to make.

boragirl02

78 Posts

Honestly, we just got fed up with the snow!!! Just want to give you a heads up....it was much easier finding a job in FL years ago so you might want to do alot of research on that part or at least have a solid job offer before you even decide to pack up. You will have a bit of an edge though since you have work experience. Good luck!

EllaBella1, BSN

377 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

I'm a recent BSN grad in the Tampa area making $26.83 base with $4.50 night and $1.25 weekend differentials. I'm originally from the tri-state area- while my salary is lower than many of my northern nurse friends, the lack of state income tax in florida makes up for it a little bit.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN

4 Articles; 1,149 Posts

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

I still have my new grad offer letter from Orlando Health Regional - Dr Phillips location. New grad BSN start at $22.85 for day shift with weekend day shift differentials at $4.25

If you opt for night shift the base pay is $22.85 with night differentials varing from $3.65 to $4.00 on weekday NIGHTS to up to $8.00 on week end night shift.

This was what I was offered in Dec 2014 this should be the same or close to what Orlando Regional pays (the main branch in Orlando)

Florida hospital pay varies in Central Florida but new grads get around $23-$25 per hour(closer to $25/hr for BSNs). I do not know the shift differentials for Florida hospital.

Shands/ UF Health in Gainesville Starts new grad with ADNs at $23.50 (as posted on their website). BSN new grads start at $24.00.

Shands differentials night shift for evening(7pm to 1159pm is $3.50 to $4.00 overnight(till 7am). For weekend nights its $7.50 to $8.00

Your biggest hospitals in Central Florida would be Florida Hospital Orlando and Orlando Regional hospital, A little north is Gainesville Shands now called UF Health Shands Hospital Sticking to any the 3 these would easily get a new grad at least $27 for night shift, someone like you with experience a bit more, I'll say add 50 cents for each year of experience should give you a good ballpark figure. Your best bet is night shift to get upwards of $30/hr.

Pay in Florida is not as bad as people think, you just have to find the right place to work.

My wife does not work. I support my family of 4, we own 2 cars and I can pay my mortgage and bills all on my RN salary. Only thing making it hard is paying student loans, but we do have the opportunity for overtime where I work if i need extra.

Heading towards Daytona Beach is where the pay sucks for example Halifax Health would start new grads at around $20.00

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