[smille33]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has traveled or knows anything about Columbia Hospital in West Palm Beach FL........thinking about doing a poistion there, just looking for any insight.....

Thanks!!!!!!!

[NurseguyFL]

I don't know much about travel nursing per se, since I am only just getting started in it myself, but I can tell you a thing or two about nursing in Florida in general. Two words sum up nursing in Florida pretty nicely: it sucks! The pay is not generally very good (you would probably make more money traveling to another state). The patient ratios are also not good. If you come here during the busy time begining at the end of the summer, even if you are a tele nurse, you will be deluged with the med surg case overflows. And because there are so many staffing shortages all over the state many of the hospitals down here in the tri county area will float the PCAs off to another floor where they haven't got anyone to work and you will often find yourself with no help. Also, make sure you know how to work with the geriatric population (huge bedsores, dementia, etc.) because many, many, many of your patients will fall into this category. Finally, the hospital you are considering is a part of the HCA empire (not a good thing), and there has been stories in the news recently that HCA will soon be selling out most of their florida hospitals to Tenet (an even worse thing), so my advice is to be careful.

If you want more info you can either post here or pm me.

[texascowgirl]

my aunt works in West Palm Beach in the winters as an RN. she says that nurses there have to kiss butt to the rich whiney spoiled demanding clientele and the patients give nurses tips. oh hayull no, i am not a waitress, so i would NEVER demean myself to accept tips. i would never work as a nurse in the area after what she has told me.

[Marchoe]

Hi!

I have work in Florida as RN for 10yrs, I just wish to say that you guys are very accurate with your description of nursing in Florida. I am now planning to travel and experience nursing in other parts of the country. I am particularly interested in California. I wish to hear from nurses who are already traveling in California and who can give me advise on the do and don'ts.

[carebearRN]

Hi there, i agree a lot with the above. i worked in palm beach gardens, fl ( very close to w. palm) at a small hospital from Feb- May. The pay was $28/hr cause i worked night shift. I worked on a medical tele floor, staff was very nice and helpful, but i saw more medical patients than tele, lots of older patients that were confused or a "snow bird" as they called them from the north. There were times when aides floated and it was very stressful trying to take care of 6 patients at a time when all were on the call light! I never gotten tips either. Hope this helps, let me know if u have other questions! carrie