Any Florida Nurses???

[Lee2584]

Hey, I just recently passed my boards and moved to the florida panhandle and just got my first job offer. Its a great hospital and everyone who works there is awesome, but the salary is ridiculously low. I'm talking, really really low. I heard nurses in florida usually make around 40-50 k, but what I would be making wouldnt be anywhere near that. Dont get me wrong, Im more for the experience rather than the money (which is why I will probably end up taking the job) but I just dont know. Does anyone how much your salary usually goes up with each year you work?

[valkyria, BSN, RN]

it is true that we have no state income tax but, the cost of living is not low. in miami it is ridicurlous. in orlando it is just barely less than miami. the pay scale in miami does not keep up with the standard of living. relatively speaking, the pay in orlando is better. perhaps the farhter away from a big city you get, the cheaper the living is but then the chances of you having a big name hospital chain with established salaries, bonuses and an attractive "package" is less likely.everythng in nursing, like in life, is a tradeoff. the first few years though,s should be dedicated to getting as much experience as you can and forgo the money, for now. once you have a base, you have something to work with and work from. not only that but you will have a clearer idea of what you may like to specialize in or what you definitely do not want to do. nursing is a field full of promise and possibility but you have to crawl before you can walk or run.i know that sounds trite but it is true. if yoiu wait till you have some experieince and make some contacts and talk to some other nurses and compare, then you can move forward from a posotion of strength. patience is difficult considering the hard road you traveled to get to this point but, do not lose heart. when you find the right path, you will know.