Have you traveled to Florida?

yukka99 · Feb 18, 2013

Again, I suggest you wait until next fall/winter and take a seasonal contract with a facility. The money is better and they often offer incentives for you to return the following season. Many of the facilities in Florida are operated by HCA and, as a result, they all offer the same/similar pay, etc. Good luck!

That sounds like a great suggestion. This will give me time to get a FL license and meanwhile I can do a travel assignment or two elsewhere. Thanks again!

DoeRN · Feb 18, 2013

Stay away from HCA!

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overtonis · Feb 18, 2013

I spent two years in florida (West Palm Beach, Boca Raton area). 'All about staffing' was major player down there (they handle all HCA hospitals) and then you have Tenet which runs agency/travel for West Palm Beach area. Med staff is who I used Boca Raton. Rates for Tenet was 43.00 hr. Rates for Med staff were 39.00 hr. Just remember florida is very cyclical economy. Some hospitals shut down their units (in my case ICU) for entire months during summer. You will either have to make boat load of money in winter or take travel assignment out of florida in summer maybe to California. Also never ever discuss your rates with staff as I learned Boca was only paying new graduates in ICU about $22.00 hr.

yukka99 · Feb 20, 2013

I spent two years in florida (West Palm Beach Boca Raton area). 'All about staffing' was major player down there (they handle all HCA hospitals) and then you have Tenet which runs agency/travel for West Palm Beach area. Med staff is who I used Boca Raton. Rates for Tenet was 43.00 hr. Rates for Med staff were 39.00 hr. Just remember florida is very cyclical economy. Some hospitals shut down their units (in my case ICU) for entire months during summer. You will either have to make boat load of money in winter or take travel assignment out of florida in summer maybe to California. Also never ever discuss your rates with staff as I learned Boca was only paying new graduates in ICU about $22.00 hr.[/quote']
Thanks! Great information!

FerRN · Mar 7, 2013

As a new grad in North Florida, 2 years ago, I was making 21.84/hr in a CCU. I was working for the 2nd best payer in the city, my friend who worked in PICU had been a nurse for 6 years before she broke 22/hr. Its a true story, the pay stinks. But, at least in North Florida, the cost of living is way lower. I was living a lot better on 22 in FL than what I am making in DC.

RNFiona · Mar 9, 2013

What to expect from South Florida are perhaps the worst working conditions in the country. You will find incredibly hostile administrations and doctors. Staff can be either the same or supportive. Pay tends to low twenties, also among the worst in the country. You can find exceptions, but just letting you know that your odds are not good going in. If you do work there successfully, you should have a nice upgrade on your ability to get along with jerks, and efficiency at doing high workloads. Very multicultural and you will be working with people from a lot of different countries. If you don't like the beach, or water sports, it might not be the best choice. If you do...

I disagree. I worked at Holy Cross, Broward General and Baptist in Kendall and all of the experiences were positive. Never had more than 3 or 4 pts at a time in ER at BAptist and Broward. Had no more than 5 or 6 at Holy Cross

RNFiona · Mar 9, 2013

I never sacrifice the patients care, but when a traveler refuses to answer my questions regarding whether they would like me to document vitals and I/O and tells me that they don't "trust" me to do these things.........then asks me to give them the code for the break room for the 4th time that shift.....I'm going to turn around and say "you're going to be here for 6-12 weeks, maybe try writing it down?"
By the way. Have had many travelers take issue with the paper charting system we used and called us barbaric and all other snide remarks. The road goes both ways. I came to work for my patients and my boss, not to tell you the access code for the break room. That's all I'm saying.
As long as the nurses were competent and respectful, I did more for them than I did my staff nurses at times because I know they were unfamiliar with the environment.

Well paper charting DOES suck. Very hard to go from paperless to paper

RNcorazon · May 17, 2013

I love Florida, but its true...working conditions are very challenging. As a staff nurse and as a traveler I have to say that we dont go anywhere with bad attitud. I work in kendal sometimes with All about, and the nurses are very nice and happy to have me there, but last time I took 8 patients in med/surg. omg! i finished my shift exhausted and almost brain death! I like to talk to my patients and never make them feel that i am busy, but with 8 patients you seriursly need to move fast. Work here using the agency in the summer is really slow! securing a seasonal travel assignment from january to april is a really smart move. last year I worked so hard I saved enough to buy a house and take a trip to europe in the slow season. i work non stopped from nov to may, they even offered 3000 extra bonus.

I like the west coast of florida without doubt...from Naples to Tampa! beutiful beaches, the weather is great and work is better than south florida.

jnh911 · May 19, 2013

RNcorazon,

Did you primarily stay with All About Staffing for the east coast?

thelema13 · May 24, 2013

Recently completed an ED travel assignment in Melbourne, FL. 13 weeks, take home ~$1200/wk. Overtime was triple time with the agency I was with, so I picked up shifts as often as possible. I used Medical Staffing Network/ InteliStaf. Stay away from HMA facilities, for-profit blood suckers!

RNcorazon · May 31, 2013

Hi jnh911:

yes i used all about in the east coast. but I know they have more agencies but Parallon is big in here since they are own by HCA hospitals.

RNcorazon · May 31, 2013

do you mean HCA facilities?