Shift differentials?

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

My husband and I (both RN's) are planning a move to Florida, specifically the Sarasota area in the next 6 months or so.

I hear all the time about how FL nurses don't make that much money, but according to their online job postings, Sarasota Memorial Hospital's pay rates are very similar to what we are getting paid here in upstate NY. Considering the slightly lower cost of living, and no state taxes, we may actually come out ahead. Unless the shift differentials less? Is that what everyone is complaining about? Here we get about 10% on eves, 15% on nights, and an additional 10% for weekends, it varies only slightly by facility. We both plan on working nights.

I've done a couple of web searches, and haven't really found any definitive information on shift differentials in Florida. So I would like to hear from people who are actually working there, not necessarily in Sarasota, but a general idea would be nice. Thanks ahead of time for your help!

[sds1arm2]

I recently contacted a recruiter at Florida Hospital in Orlando and was told that the evening diff was 16%, nights was 35%, weekends/holidays was 13% the whole shift.

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

Wow! 35% on nights??? That would be amazing! I hear Orlando pay is a little higher than the rest of the state, though... I have a couple of friends who have transplanted there in the last few years. But my husband is intent on living hear the ocean... so any thoughts on the Gulf coast anyone??

[paPsychRn3000]

OP I can SAY this, Where is am working now (Tampa area) it's a $5.00/hr diff for 12hr nights and I think maybe $2 and some change for weekends. In western PA wages were not bad but the differentials were a joke-$1.00 for Eve/Nights (10% WOULD HAVE BEEN A GIFT FROM GOD). One thing here. I was used to same day benefits when hired (as soon as you signed up for them). Here it's 2 full months from the END of the month of your date of hire. So if your first day of orientation was today you would not have insurance until Sept 1st. The longest I had ever encountered was 30 days at previous jobs.

[ukjenn231]

I have read that Sarasota Memorial is trying to partner with Baycare, a large hospital system in the area. I don't know if it would mean that the Sarasota employees would end up being employed under Baycare eventually, but I can say that the night shift diff for Baycare is $5/hr for the whole 12 hour 7p-7a shift.

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

... One thing here. I was used to same day benefits when hired (as soon as you signed up for them). Here it's 2 full months from the END of the month of your date of hire. So if your first day of orientation was today you would not have insurance until Sept 1st. The longest I had ever encountered was 30 days at previous jobs.

Three months was the norm in the hospitality industry, where I worked before healthcare. Not ideal, but if you need coverage, you can always choose to pay COBRA rates for the interim period. I usually just wing it, but I don't really have any chronic health issues.

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

... according to their online job postings, Sarasota Memorial Hospital's pay rates are very similar to what we are getting paid here in upstate NY...

Very surprising!

Good luck.

[runnerchick]

86toronado Did you end up moving to Sarasota? If so, how's Sarasota Memorial? Thanks.

[AngelRN27]

Hmm, late response, but just in case you're still on the hunt for info: my current facility pays $5 differential for the night shift, and either $1.50 or $2.00 for the weekend. I live and work in Miami. I hear the pay can be a little more competitive in Central FL. The differentials at my facility are relatively high, even for Miami, but they don't vary too much around here.

Good Luck!

[Graduation2016]

$5.00 for nightshift is great. I get $3.45 in Melbourne. But then again I'm not an RN yet but on OB Scrub Tech. I'm sure RN's differential is more.