[PHM]

Toying with the idea of moving to Jacksonville area next year. I'm a 1st year floor RN on a Pulmonary/ Stepdown unit (PSA'd on this same floor for a couple of years), but am wanting to start orientation in an ICU, or MICU. Curious as to what's available, good vs bad employers, etc, and your own personal views on what you think of the job, the area, etc.

As I'm retired USAF, I've already investigated availability of military facilities and I know they exist. My only other personal requirement is open water access with a fairly decent drive time so I can fulfill my windsurfing addiction.

Any recommended JAX areas or nearby towns for buying a home ($175K to $250K) that I may concentrate on?

Thanks so much,

Phil
Panama City

[TowannaG]

Hey...
I just relocated to Jacksonville, Florida from Indianapolis, Indiana. First off let me tell you I love the weather. I personally like being here so far. I just moved down on DEC 19th. I am sorry for I cannot tell you anything about good places to work. I am looking to get in an ICU program myself. I have been doing LTC for the past 7 yrs and looking forward to getting back to the hospital. Goodluck TowannaG RN

[MrsLePew]

Originally Posted by TowannaG

Hey...
I just relocated to Jacksonville, Florida from Indianapolis, Indiana. First off let me tell you I love the weather. I personally like being here so far. I just moved down on DEC 19th. I am sorry for I cannot tell you anything about good places to work. I am looking to get in an ICU program myself. I have been doing LTC for the past 7 yrs and looking forward to getting back to the hospital. Goodluck TowannaG RN

Try Shands of Jacksonville. Never worked there but they are the premiere Hospital imo. As far as living I would think Orange Park though no beachfront

[PHM]

Thanks for both your inputs.

I was also thinking Orange Park because of proximity to the base and it's the only place I've actually visited there. Not too enthused about waterfront (other than windsurfing access) as we were flooded during Hurricane Opal and I don't relish going through that fiasco again.

Phil

[TowannaG]

Yes thanks for the reply about Shands Hospital...its a funny thing...I had an interview today at Shands Hosp...the position is at a clinic..no weekends, no holidays and great benefits. It is not the ICU but it is a start to getting back to the Hospital....I am very strongly considering accepting the position...Thanks again and goodluck everyone..

[Heath82371]

Originally Posted by TowannaG

Yes thanks for the reply about Shands Hospital...its a funny thing...I had an interview today at Shands Hosp...the position is at a clinic..no weekends, no holidays and great benefits. It is not the ICU but it is a start to getting back to the Hospital....I am very strongly considering accepting the position...Thanks again and goodluck everyone..

St Luke's is probably the best hospital in Jax....affiliated with the Mayo clinic. Shands does not always have a good reputation. Baptist opened a new hospital in south Jacksonville. I live in the soutside/Baymeadows/Deerwood area and love it. Many Family members and friends are nurses.

[koda53]

I love jacksonville i have been here for 10years. Weather is fantastic. it has a small town feel but with some big city flare! the beach is great. i dont travel to Orange Park a lot. Baymeadows area is great but a lot of traffic congestion. My favorite area is anyplace between St johns bluff and the beach. centrally located. i am still a nursing student so i dont know about any jobs yet but shands is located downtown and havent heard anything to positive. i would agree with heath i've heard very positive things about st.lukes.

[All4Jesus]

Originally Posted by PHM

Toying with the idea of moving to Jacksonville area next year. I'm a 1st year floor RN on a Pulmonary/ Stepdown unit (PSA'd on this same floor for a couple of years), but am wanting to start orientation in an ICU, or MICU. Curious as to what's available, good vs bad employers, etc, and your own personal views on what you think of the job, the area, etc.

As I'm retired USAF, I've already investigated availability of military facilities and I know they exist. My only other personal requirement is open water access with a fairly decent drive time so I can fulfill my windsurfing addiction.

Any recommended JAX areas or nearby towns for buying a home ($175K to $250K) that I may concentrate on?

Thanks so much,

Phil
Panama City

Hello Phil. I am a Florida and Jacksonville resident, though I am presently living in CA as a travel nurse with my family. I am a Navy veteran and my husband is Navy retired. I wouldn't really recommend living by the water since there is usually alot of damage during hurricanes. Really think it over and over before you move to Jax Beach or St Johns Bluff area. I am originally from Puerto Rico and I love the water, but not enough to pay what they are asking for that area, nor the risk to property. I also worked at Shands Jax, and enjoyed the challenge and let me tell you, it WAS a challenge, but the experience makes me the nurse I am today. St Luke's is a WONDERFUL facility out by St. Johns Bluff area. I did my clinicals there and was very impressed, but I did not want to do MEd/Surg when i graduated. When I come back to Florida next year I will probably come to St Lukes. There is also that new hospital that opened after I moved to travel, though my home is still there in Jax. Baptist, South. I hear it is a great hospital as well.
What specialty are you?
About homes in the area. I just purchased a home near Orange Park off of Argyle Forest Blvd. and I love the area. It is growing very quickly. If you are in Jax, look for the Blanding Blvd exit, get off on it going South, When you get to Argyle Forest Blvd (if you see the mall on your left you have gone to far) make a right. Go down that road for about 2-5 miles. You will notice all the new development areas. Really nice areas to live. I built a beautiful home with KB homes. I love my home. I love my neighborhood. Let me know if I can be of help.

[All4Jesus]

Originally Posted by All4Jesus

Hello Phil. I am a Florida and Jacksonville resident, though I am presently living in CA as a travel nurse with my family. I am a Navy veteran and my husband is Navy retired. I wouldn't really recommend living by the water since there is usually alot of damage during hurricanes. Really think it over and over before you move to Jax Beach or St Johns Bluff area. I am originally from Puerto Rico and I love the water, but not enough to pay what they are asking for that area, nor the risk to property. I also worked at Shands Jax, and enjoyed the challenge and let me tell you, it WAS a challenge, but the experience makes me the nurse I am today. St Luke's is a WONDERFUL facility out by St. Johns Bluff area. I did my clinicals there and was very impressed, but I did not want to do MEd/Surg when i graduated. When I come back to Florida next year I will probably come to St Lukes. There is also that new hospital that opened after I moved to travel, though my home is still there in Jax. Baptist, South. I hear it is a great hospital as well.
What specialty are you?
About homes in the area. I just purchased a home near Orange Park off of Argyle Forest Blvd. and I love the area. It is growing very quickly. If you are in Jax, look for the Blanding Blvd exit, get off on it going South, When you get to Argyle Forest Blvd (if you see the mall on your left you have gone to far) make a right. Go down that road for about 2-5 miles. You will notice all the new development areas. Really nice areas to live. I built a beautiful home with KB homes. I love my home. I love my neighborhood. Let me know if I can be of help.

I am always forgetting to add something!! UGHHHHH
I worked for the Naval Hospital Wellness Center and I loved it. I also worked as an aerobics instructor for the gym. The base there has AWESOME facilities, including a beautiful golf course. I am very happy with the care I received there as a staff member and as a spouse of a retiree. I highly recommend that base. My husband was also stationed off of Mayport, closer to the beach, but they only have clinics there. I was never stationed there. Good Luck and God Speed.
Oh, were you an AF nurse.?????

[NursefromNY]

do you have a clue with regards to salary range? TY