Could I make it as an LPN in Fla?

papawjohn · Jun 22, 2006

Hey Mandy!!!

My Mrs is a new LPN. The payscale for new LPNs where we're located seems to start at $12-to-14/hr for Hospitals, $16-to-18 at Nursing homes. You can probably do pretty well with that. The price of child care, I can't help you with. The price of housing depends on just where you choose to live, of course. Median price on houses in towns around here is over $150K. The low end would be Condos which would begin at $60K. (You know, it's estimated that 1,000 people move to Fla every WEEK!!)

There is a lot of concern about the effect of the price of housing on the essential 'service professionals'--teachers, police officers, firemen, nurses. So there are some cities and some hospitals that have different sorts of assistance. A new RN I know got mortgage assistance from a program that the city of St Petersburg has, and also some sort of bonus from the Hospital where we worked (in exchange for a commitment to the Hosp, of course.)

So do as much homework and pre-planning as possible, you might find some sort of favorable deal.

Perhaps having a youngster would make this impossible, but you might consider trying a Travel-Nurse job here as a way to scout the territory.

Good Luck and PM me if you wish. I might not have all the answers but I'd be willing to make a few recommendations, put you in touch with folks that might help--that sorta thing.

Papaw John

NRSNFL · Jun 22, 2006

Papaw.....what hospital gave the incentive and assistance with the mortgage? I live in New Port Richey and my husband and I are trying to migrate to Pinellas, but it's so damn expensive, any assistance is great assistance. Thanks Heather

JohnBearPA · Jun 30, 2006

Papaw.....what hospital gave the incentive and assistance with the mortgage? I live in New Port Richey and my husband and I are trying to migrate to Pinellas, but it's so damn expensive, any assistance is great assistance. Thanks Heather

I lived in NPR a few years ago, but when I ended my relationship, moved back to PA. Now I'm moving back down to Orlando to be closer to my sister. NPR seemed like a great area, from the little I saw of it in the short period of time I was there. Hope Orlando area is as nice.

Janet Jones · Jul 1, 2006

aroung fort myers, leigh high acres your looking to make about $20-22 hr at a nusring home. clinic's aroung $18-20. I'm not sure about hospitals. down in miami and ft lauderdale it's around $17-21 but the cost of living down here is expensive. you would still be abel to make it though on that salery

ocb_dave_ocb, LPN · Jul 3, 2006

aroung fort myers, leigh high acres your looking to make about $20-22 hr at a nusring home. clinic's aroung $18-20. I'm not sure about hospitals. down in miami and ft lauderdale it's around $17-21 but the cost of living down here is expensive. you would still be abel to make it though on that salery

The expense is very high down there. I have been looking into it as well. I am an LPN as well. I am single 21 year old male, SO i was looking for a small place on the beach.. WELL I found a 1 bdr apt on miami beach that is $800 a month. Compare that to the $425 a month in Knoxville, TN..

One thing I would do is make sure you have a job lined out before you go, its going to be an expensive move. Also take Hurricanes into consideration, and the fact that you have a young child how are they going to take moving such a big distance?

NurseguyFL · Jul 7, 2006

Mandy,

Where in Florida? The state is huge, and salaries and the cost of living vary considerably from the north to the south. The salary range Janet quoted seems correct, according to what my friends who are LPNs tell me. It all depends on where you decide to work. I know plenty of LPNs who are making it ok here, and there's no reason you couldn't do the same. I agree though that the cost of living here in south Florida is ridiculous compared to what it used to be only a few years ago.

If, like OCB DAVE, you are planning on moving to a high-demand area like South Beach, you will probably not find even a one bedroom apartment there for anything near $800. A small 2 bedroom will cost at least $1500, and, in many cases, more than that. But, as I'm sure you know, when it comes to renting you can always find cheaper places though these are often located in areas where you probably would not prefer to live. If you plan to rent, you also have the option of linking up with a roommate to cut down on the expenses.

John

renlpn · Jul 7, 2006

Here in Hillsborough for hospitals its varies from 13.50 and up, plus night shift diff, which is usually around 3 dollars, the corrections starts at 15.50, the pcp office usually 14.00, Insurance companies pay more 18 dollars plus 2000 bonuses, (amerigroup, united) and remember that when you move down here that you will have to take a IV course, even if you are IV certified in your state, this costs around 150 plus book. One hospital around here starts at 15.50 but their total care facilities, ie;trach, vent, etc. but you will get good training, stay away from nursing homes!! Or start out with agency nursing-make 24 dollars per hr/but no health insurance/good if your spouse has it!!! I only have 2.5 yrs as a LPN, I'm bringing home about 570 per wk only working 24hrs/wk. with my agency.

cutie16, LPN · Jul 9, 2006

I live in florida and an LPN, have been for 9 years. you can make it in florida but its not going to be easy especially with a school age child. starting salary at most places is about $18 with benefits. remember you need to consider school for your child, and the areas you want to live in depend on the rent you will pay. You can make it do some research. Good Luck

ex1140 · Jul 21, 2006

Hi everyone, my name is Mandy, and in August I will be graduating from the LPN program in Ohio (FINALLY!!!). I have ALWAYS wanted to move to fla, but lately I have been hearing that LPN's don't make too much down there I have a 9 year old son that I would be taking with me, and I just want to know if we could make it out there on an LPN's salary. Thank you for taking the time to read my post :)

Where are you moving? If you move to Miami you'll find it's a lot different than Ohio:lol2: The cost of living here is very high and the pay doesn't match...you can do well as an RN, but LPNs are not making that much money...the highest paying jobs for LPNs in this area are corrections and nursing homes. The hospitals are not really hiring...and the ones that are pay between $12 and $14 an hour. The nursing homes pay $17 to $18 add about $2 bucks for per diem. Corrections pays a little more than the nursing homes with night differentials. Miami is also a very diversified city...it's not for everyone. It's not a good place to raise a family...we plan to move soon.