Best Paying Hospitals in South Florida???

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Hi,

This is my first post

I'm 30 years old and I'm a newbie RN. I started working in November of 2007 and my 1 year anniversery is fast approaching. I applied for a transfer to PACU in November, Which hopefully I will get, mainly because I truely want to get the critical care experience. I've been working on the neuro-surgical floor for the past year at an NYC hospital which I'm very happy with. But Im very unhappy with NYC. I've lived here all my life and its just too expensive to live in. Im tired of NYC. FLORIDA is calling me, South Florida; either Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

Im planning to move their by November of 2009. This will give me 1 years experience of working the floor, and if I get it, 1 year at a critical care setting (PACU).

My only problem with Florida is the pay nurses get. YES im very aware cost of living is lower than in NYC, so it balances out. But by the end of the year I'll be making a little over $70,000 per year in NYC. Not bad. It's a little hard to say bye to that kind of pay.

So can anyone recommend or provide me with a list of the top paying hospitals in Fort Lauderdale or Miami. I would be very grateful. Just remember that I'm an RN and take my past job history as an RN into consideration.

Thanks again,

Florida truly is calling me, I'm willing to overcome my fear of driving in order to move their. Yes I don't know how to drive, YET! I grew up in Manhattan where you don't need a car, ever.

Thank you Mikey 0-0. i appreciate the info.:bowingpur

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No problem, oh ya by the way they start out paying 18.35 an hour for new grads on day shift, they are on the panama schedule 3 12's. If you work midnights you make about 24 an hour. :) So when are you graduating?

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I haven't worked as an RN yet, but will once I am finished with the program. However, I do work as an LPN. At my last job I was making $19 an hour, and a few of the RNs I spoke to were only making a couple dollars more than that. I also know an RN who moved down from New York a few years ago. She is CONSTANTLY complaining about the pay here in Miami. She said that in New York she was making over $100,000 a year (often worked overtime). But here, she makes less than $50,000 a year. :twocents: :wink2:

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I guess its all about the location, I know in las vegas RN's are making about 30 dollars and hour, but its pretty crazy there haha.

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Specializes in M/S,Tele,HIV/AIDS,Research,IV Therapy.

I have lived in S FLorida particulalry Ft Lauderdale. I have worked for "Broward Health" and couldn't wait to get outta there. I am not a new nurse I was an LPN for 15 years and became an RN 2 years ago. There are no Unions, the nurse to patient ratio was approaching unsafe and a number of other issues. I was on the Med/Surg floor to get my feet wet as an RN. To get to the question I was started at 27.80 with a small shift dif. (because I was on days). I have since taken a new job in an infectious diseases office an IV nurse, and they are paying me 30 an hour. This is rare as far as I know. I would think carefully about the change. I hope this helps a little.

Good Luck!

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If you are going to live in S. Florida, you will need a car. There is no way around it if you live in Miami-Dade County. Yes, there is the metro that runs by South Miami Hospital (part of Baptist Health), Doctors Hospital & University of Miami Hospital (University of Miami), and Jackson Memorial... but as a 24 yr old female, I would not feel safe hoping on the metro with the hours that RN's work. Biking isn't really an option with the hussle and bussle traffic. You will have to rule out safety VS cheap location. My advice would be to move down here, and get a 3-4 month 'semester-semester' lease to see the neighborhoods you like and to get the feel of everything.

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I don't think you could label me a true NYC transplant.... My father grew up in Manhattan, mom - Brooklyn. My dad was in the USAF for 28 yrs and then retired to LI. Due to his military assignments, I went to HS at St Francis Prep in Queens and College @ Manhattan College. My mother is a retired nurse. My sis is a PRN nurse on LI. My brother is a nurse in Manhattan and made over $100K last year (3rd yr as a nurse). He and his partner just moved into a 2 BR place in the city and it costs $3K/mo! (They are both smokers so I buy them here and mail them. Saves 2/3rds of what you pay in the city!) Brother leaves his car at my folks place, because, yeah, he didn't need a car! I didn't get my license until my father transferred to FL my Soph summer in college.

Now...about moving here....S. FL is the RE market driving the collapse. Like most of the large metros (NYC incl), prices were increasing rapidly and RE was over-inflated. Jacksonville, where I live, wasn't hit as hard.

Moving here depends on what you are really looking for. About 15 yrs ago, I did a 9 mo stint on LI. It was then that I realized that I didn't want to raise my kids in NY! I moved to TX. Loved it there, but the IT market bottomed out.....I always dreamed of moving back to FL because I like the laid back life (of the panhandle) and the BEACH! (Jones Beach doesn't compare!) The schools here are OK if your kid is a good student. If not, like most metros, there are some negative influences. I own 2 jet skis and we scuba dive as well. I would have never done these if I lived up north. I HATE NY winters! I tease my family that we DO have winter in JAX, it's called January! LOL

I am being laid off (again) on Friday. I went back to school for nursing to get some stability. (BTW, it is my intention and hope to get a civilian position at the hosp at NAS JAX....I am a veteran, married to military and I have 2 yrs as a fed civilian already!) I will start nursing school in May. Yes, when I graduate I will take a pay cut, but I did that when I first moved here and took a job in IT. I went from $75K to $58K and I was a single mom of 5 at the time. I was able to purchase a nice 4 br house for $138K (current value of that house is $178K).

Not all NY'ers like it here. I love FL and would never go back!

Good luck with your decision.

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Specializes in Corrections, tele/med surg.
I am being laid off (again) on Friday.

Where are you beng laid off from? That sucks, I have been laid off twice. The last time (July 2007) I decided to go into the medical field and really take a pay cut! Its worth it! Sorry about your job!:o

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Panhandle wages are really low, about 18 for new grads without diffs, orlando area pays about 28 an hour for new grads, but way more expensive. If you can, try to contract with civil service for the military hospitals, better pay, and great job security ;)

Can you tell us more about contracting with the military hospitals, etc? Any names of companies, locations or hospitals would be helpful!

Thanks!

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Specializes in Trauma ICU.

Sadly RN pay in FL is low! I am a 1yr LPN making 22.75 hr I am about to finish my RN and move into a hospital they pay 20/hr.

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