Hi there,

We are currently considering relocating south, particularly tampa or pensacola area. Ive been a nurse for 3 years and currently work in a PACU with previous ICU experience, ACLS and PALS. What should I expect for pay in either of these areas? Any preferences in hospitals?

Thanks!

Everyone often says "Florida pays you in sunshine". Unfortunately, my mortgage company doesn't accept sunshine as a form of payment.

I have never spent much time in Pensacola, but I've lived in Tampa my whole life. There are quite a few hospitals within an hours drive from Tampa, so I would think the pay would be a bit higher due to competition. In the Tampa area, new RN's start about $24/hr.

You definitely should try to get into a BayCare hospital. They are a not-for-profit, so the pay is higher, benefits are better, nicer and more equipment, etc.

Not sure if you've looked into areas to live, but for the Tampa area, I would consider the south Pasco county area. Property taxes are lower than the Tampa/St. Pete areas, but most importantly, there is a toll road (fairly cheap) and interstates that run north/south, allowing you MANY more places to work within an hour's drive.

I've been in Tampa Bay (Clearwater) for 7 years now, but went to school and worked in P'cola for 10 years. I dont think the diference in pay/benefits will be all that great overall. The main point I would make is the considerable difference in living experience in the FL panhandle verses TB. Pensacola is nicknamed "LA". as in Lower Alabama. TB has more in cultural comparison to Miami and Havana, Cuba than the AL/FL/GA state line. Did you know that Pensacola is in a different time zone than TB? So I've done them both, and they're both fine; just boils down to lifestyle considerations as much as anything else.

Starting pay in Pensacola is barely $22/hr.. couple years experience and you might make $24-25? This is for full time with benefits. If you can do without benefits, you can get closer to $30/hr. There are 3 hospitals, and they are always hiring! I lived in SW FL (Fort Myers) before moving to Pensacola, and I LOVE Pensacola! To me, it's the true south!