daves

daves has 25 years experience and specializes in ER, ICU, Tele, LTAC, LTC.

Latest Activity

1. Pensacola VS Tampa

   daves replied to CrystalRN88's topic in Florida

   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 livi...

2. Manatee Memorial Hospital

   daves replied to Momma1RN's topic in Florida

   Well, I've been at this place off and on for 7 years. Primarily in PCU, but have done the floors too. Its not a bad place overall, and certainly better than the local competition, the HCA Blake Hospital where I worked as well. MMH always has a lot...

3. Clearwater or Tampa RN pay/cost of living

   daves replied to showe2's topic in Florida

   Have you considered buying a house here? Thay are cheap-cheap-cheap. I bought mine for cash like one-third of home purchases in TB are done. The point about proximity to the water and price is well-taken and obvious.

4. Sun City Center, Fl.

   daves replied to raej11's topic in Florida

   I haven't worked at Sun City but did interview when I came back to FL 2 years ago. What an odd place. You probably know you have to be at least 55 to buy property there. Thats fine and all, but walking around anywhere there and not seeing anyone u...

5. Hospitals in Tampa area

   daves replied to showe2's topic in Florida

   Welcome on down. I live in Clearwater and have heard decent things about Morton Plant, but have not worked there myself. I have worked at Largo which just last year voted by a 70% plurality of RNs and LPNs to unionize, so conditions should be impr...

6. Unions and strikes?

   daves replied to FutureNurse2B's topic in Travel

   Personally, I'm nobody's scab.

7. Can you hold an RN license in 2 states?

   daves replied to PAERRN20's topic in Travel

   Get a load of this: Simultaneous possession of valid, active licenses in CA, NY, LA, DC, VI, HI, VA, WV, PA, MD, and FL. Yeah it was great fun renewing a license every 3-4 months:( Pared it down a bit though over the years, but at the time if I ever ...

8. Florida Travel!!!

   daves replied to travel88's topic in Travel

   I actually live in Clearwater a few blocks from the hospital, but have not worked there (yet?) I'm currently doing USC in Los Angeles. Come and enjoy the great beaches, no state income tax, and you don't have to live in St Pete or Tampa!

9. USC Los Angeles

   daves replied to rnspark's topic in Travel

   Going to start my fourth week at USC tomarrow as Tele float. Its now officially Keck Medical Center USC. Make sure you're not accidentally interviewing for LAC+USC, "County"; that's all together different. Probably not the first hospital someone s...

10. What do you know about HCAs???

    daves replied to yogalove's topic in Travel

    HCA? Where to start. I've done quite a few over the last three decades and its usually fairly predictable. All the horror stories I know, but if you know that in advance, at least you won't be surprized. Here in FL they're hard to ignore - too many...

11. Anyone having any luck finding travel assignments-FL in particular

    daves replied to paPsychRn3000's topic in Travel

    Please visit the Florida state site to hear about opportunities from us that live here. Hear all about the ones you may want to avoid:( We are in the middle of "the season". As in tourist. Usually more than the typical number of spots open up.

12. Any Southern CA agencies?

    daves replied to Ashley2011's topic in Travel

    Greetings from L.A. My current company has several of us at USC. While I don't particularly recommend CCTC or USC, there are a few options in the area. One to avoid is Apple Valley. You might try American Mobile - they're headquartered in - San Di...

13. LTAC ? Good or Bad?

    daves replied to krstxn's topic in LTAC

    Forgot to repoint out the most important parts that I intimated in another post: Make nice with your Resp Techs and CNAs. Not only do they know more about their fields then you ever will, they will sooner than later Save Your Ass; reference keeping...

14. what is the pay rate for LPN's in the St. Petersburg/Largo area in LTC

    daves replied to sorry's topic in Florida

    You have to include "Rehab" facilities in your LTC search. They are almost all 8-hour shifts, though I hear there is a 12-hour facility in Zepherhills. Experienced RNs may make 22-24 or so. Inquire about the benefits - don't assume anything. Cambr...

15. LTAC ? Good or Bad?

    daves replied to krstxn's topic in LTAC

    LTACs, like any other hospital or hospital type, vary greatly from town to town. Your patient ratio is probably going to be twice that of an average ICU, but less than on Tele. And thats about right - its sort of a cross between the two. What save...