There are two things to consider. First SMH is a community hospital so alot of their census is charity care. They are more apt (and do) call off RN's/LPN's when census drops. Manatee is also a community hospital. Blake is a private hosp.
If you go north over the Bridge, there are more hospitals which pay more. You have to consider the travel, gas (it is high here) and tolls for the bridge.
South, you have Venice hospital, but again their census dictates their staffing. The hospital has been redone, has a good management and staff.
Remember SMH last year went through a nasty union ordeal, and alot of their nursing is done sitting in front of a PC screen.
Alot of the neat opportunities in this area are in the private day surgery, OP dialysis and physician group practices. In this arena you get real hands on experience without the high overhead of a hospital infrastructure.
Also you have a vibrant LTC/ALF opportunity (gods waiting room remember) that tends to pay less but you trade off the travel and stress.
Also part of Bradenton is Lakewood Ranch which has their own Lakewood Ranch hospital which is a new facility, in a nice part of town. But getting there can be a pain having to drive across University Pkwy and the
plazas.
Hope all this helps, work for the pay but leave for the beaches! Buy a Jet Ski and your whole priorty system changes.
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atient quotas than SMH. Once I finish nursing school, I will definitely stay with SMH.
