Hi all! I'm trying to get some up to date guidance and input.
I'm currently a ED RN in Washington State. I'm an ADN, have been a nurse for 22 years this May. I've worked ICU/CCU/Cardiac Cath Lab/Interventional radiology, PICC/IV Therapy and some management (never again on the management). Licensed in Texas originally, some work in Mississippi while my parents were still alive then to the Great Pacific North West. I LOVE being an ED nurse but am open to going back to other areas I've been in before.
I work in a Seattle area Level 2 Trauma Center that sees roughly 96000 visits a year. I have a 3:1 patient ratio, less if in the Trauma role and I make 46 dollars/hr. Cost of living here isn't the best/isn't the worse. Area is getting worse (crime/traffic/homeless/drugs) but what metro area isn't.
Having said that... I am SICK of the weather here. I want a real beach, with lots of cancer causing sun and clear water for my wife and I to snorkel in. My wife is an ED RN as well, 20 years, and we have 2 kids 13 and 11.
I'm considering a move to Naples/Homestead/Key Largo (just thinking)... smaller town, south Florida. I'm a southern boy at heart so living in a small town again would suit me fine.
The question is... how much pay am I giving up? And job satisfaction. Most travelers to our brand new ED say how awesome it is. I honestly don't think I would find much better job than I have now. It is just the location we are sick of. At any rate, guess I'm fishing for peoples salaries, job satisfaction and life satisfaction in South Florida. Thanks in advance for your input.
When I first became a nurse (not in FL) we often had 10 patients on a super busy med surg floor. Half the time we only had one nurse's aid to help with 40 patients total, so basically all the aid could do was vitals and water twice a shift and we were left with total care of everything else. It was crazy and I believe, dangerous. Hospitals would tell you that the most you would ever have was 7 which was a total lie. I think 6 is a lot better, especially if one has a tech or aid to help out, but of course, less is always agreeable. The pay rate in FL is very low. Property is not too expensive especially if you want to live outside of town a ways. You can get several acres fairly cheap. If you want to live in one of the bigger cities in an apartment/condo or in a house in an HOA it is more expensive. A lot of the hospitals hardly pay extra for working any holidays. I think my dh's is down to paying only 2 now.
In FL, on days on an Oncology unit, 5-7 by myself or 12 -13 with an LPN. Usually at least a DC or 2 with an admission or postop or two to quickly follow.
Specializes in Med/surg, Telemetry/PCU, Bone & Joint.
I have some real time figures to share with you and hope it helps. I, as well, have been trying to find out average salaries in Florida and eventually had to call actual hospitals to obtain the correct info since what I was reading in the blogs was so "all over the place" with relation to actual figures. From the research that I've compiled, the average staff RN working in a metropolitan region such as West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdal etc, will make about 66-67K a year with no specialty, on a med/surg unit. That's about 34 an hour. I just called West Boca Medical Center and spoke with a nursing recruiter and an RN with 5 years experience like I have and telemetry specialty like I have, will start between 29-31 an hour. The RNs are also in 1199 union, a big plus for me as I am currently in the same union workin in NYS. They also offer 401k company match of .50 cents to the every dollar contributed, up to 6% of salary. Hope that gives you some idea of salaries. My advice to you, rather than trying to obtain such specific numbers through blogs, just pick a hospital in the area you want to live and simply call them and speak with their nursing recrtuitment department directly. Good luck!
Specializes in Med/surg, Telemetry/PCU, Bone & Joint.
I so agree your point! I currently work in NYS (the lower Hudson Valley) making almost 39.00 an hour. It's expesive as hell to live here. Taxes are super high, roadways crumbling, the weather absolutely sucks and there is not much to do on a social level. Although nurse/patient ratios are about 1:6 on days and 1:8 on nights, Med/surg, the acuity of these patients seem to get worse and worse. I just called West Boca Medical Center and with my experience, starting rate would be 29-31 an hour. Is it worth it?? It's looking better and better. I also lived in the West Palm Beach/ Boca area for 8 years, so I know life is not perfect there..it certainly was nice.
Specializes in Progressive Care, Cardiology, Pulmonary, Stroke.
Why not try a travel assignment then you could see for yourself :) Key largo is lovely but housing is a bit pricey HOWEVER Mariners hospital in Tavernier is a really nice small hospital owned by Baptist who also owns Homestead, West Kendall, Miami, and a couple other hospitals. Considwring they are a MAGNET hospital Id think they are pretty up to date also they are a very good company and wages are fair. In general the wages on east coast are not as high as west coast but that's across the board... Where I work now in Palm Beach they start new grads at $29 an hour we are a level 3 Trauma center. They pay travel nurses BooKoo bucks most start at $50 or more depending on experience.....
Specializes in Med/surg, Telemetry/PCU, Bone & Joint.
Travel nursing is a great idea to check out an area as well as different hospitals. It also gives you the time and convenience of being right there if you choose to apply and interview at local hospitals. I have a question though. I'm still undecided as to where I want to move, the Tampa area or the West Palm Beach area. Can you tell me what hospital starts new grads at 29/hr? I have 5 years experience and the idea of a possible starting rate for me at maybe 33 and above is joyous to say the least as most numbers I've been finding put me in the mid to upper 20's for 5 years experience.
Specializes in Progressive Care, Cardiology, Pulmonary, Stroke.
Yes Im talking about Delray Medical they are in Delray Beach which is 20 minutes south of West Palm. No pediatrics or OB but they have an awesome trauma center as well as neuro and cardiac units. St. Marys is more geared towards PEDs and OB as they also have a children's hospital and level 3 NICU. Both are owned by tenet but I prefer Delray :)
Have you started in Panama City yet? My family will be moving there within the next couple of months so i'm also looking for information. I've heard from an old co-worker that Bay Medical is the best hospital to work for. Does anyone have any know the starting pay in the area? Night & weekend shift differentials?
We have no idea where to even start looking for childcare either if anyone has any suggestions?
I'm currently on a travel assignment in Florida. This I did against my better judgement and solely to avoid winter weather up north. Nursing in Florida is everything I've heard it to be, and I'm just counting the days until I'm done. And I'm not at an HCA or Tenet facility, so I can imagine how much worse it could be! I just got my next assignment booked at a top-ranked hospital up north and I'm looking forward to high tailing it outta here in about 6 weeks!!
you really dont know how good you have it until you come to florida and work for a for profit. I started off in florida and i can tell you for many reasons once I have my masters degree and ARNP i will also be leaving
I am new to traveling, I am awaiting my florida and california license to get away for the winter. My husband is pushing for florida over cali. I'm in the ER and looking for a smaller hospital maybe level 4 or 3. Making $29/hr now here in WI ER. Will wages be same or higher? How does the ED compare against the disappointing stories and ratios i'm reading that happen in other departments?
also they are a very good company and wages are fair. In general the wages on east coast are not as high as west coast but that's across the board... Where I work now in Palm Beach they start new grads at $29 an hour we are a level 3 Trauma center. They pay travel nurses BooKoo bucks most start at $50 or more depending on experience.....
Sippie
58 Posts
When I first became a nurse (not in FL) we often had 10 patients on a super busy med surg floor. Half the time we only had one nurse's aid to help with 40 patients total, so basically all the aid could do was vitals and water twice a shift and we were left with total care of everything else. It was crazy and I believe, dangerous. Hospitals would tell you that the most you would ever have was 7 which was a total lie. I think 6 is a lot better, especially if one has a tech or aid to help out, but of course, less is always agreeable. The pay rate in FL is very low. Property is not too expensive especially if you want to live outside of town a ways. You can get several acres fairly cheap. If you want to live in one of the bigger cities in an apartment/condo or in a house in an HOA it is more expensive. A lot of the hospitals hardly pay extra for working any holidays. I think my dh's is down to paying only 2 now.