FL RN Salaries....yes another salary thread lol

Published

Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.

I know that salary is discussed on here all the time and ppl get tired of answering questions....but my question is more in regards to what one makes as a new grad RN and how their pay increases from that point.

Does pay increase a certain amount over a certain period of time?IIs it increased by specializing? What is the best way to get the most income potential (besides night and weekend differentials)?

Also, How does one get a job as a "Pool" nurse and do u still get benefits?

Im an LPN getting ready to bridge over to RN, but I must say Im a little discouraged by the starting salaries Im seeing. I have only been an LPN for a year, but I got a decent starting salary from day one. The starting RN salary is only 2-3 bucks more from what Im learning around here and from recent RN grads I know. And thats 2-3 bucks more than I make, which isnt the highest paying LPN job available around here. I work in home health and prefer to make a little less and not have to bust my butt than to make a little more, but earn every cent in LTC. I look forward to going into the hospital setting as an RN, only I wrongly expected to be making a lot more.

Thanks in advance to any info you can give me. Im hoping it doesnt take several years of experience or working tons of overtime to see the nice paychecks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

Florida seems to pay nurses on the low end from what I have seen on this board. I am a new grad RN in Mass and will be starting out at 28/hr. I know that this does nothing for you as you are in Florida, but I am curious to know what Florida pays new grads.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OK everyone. New grad RNs in Florida make $18-$20 and hour; and in Massachusetts they make $28?!

We need to unionize!

LOL only half kidding here. Sorry for going off topic but I could not resist....!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

My hospital is non union. At the union hospital the new grads start out at close to $30/hr not counting shift diff and seasoned nurses top out at $62/hr. But of course there is that cost of living thing that we must deal with in the northeast!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

In central IL, new grad RN's make $17.40 an hour! And with 12 years experience, I would have only made $26-28/hour. It is pretty cheap to live here though in the sticks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU's,TELE,MED- SURG.
I know that salary is discussed on here all the time and ppl get tired of answering questions....but my question is more in regards to what one makes as a new grad RN and how their pay increases from that point.

Does pay increase a certain amount over a certain period of time?IIs it increased by specializing? What is the best way to get the most income potential (besides night and weekend differentials)?

Also, How does one get a job as a "Pool" nurse and do u still get benefits?

Im an LPN getting ready to bridge over to RN, but I must say Im a little discouraged by the starting salaries Im seeing. I have only been an LPN for a year, but I got a decent starting salary from day one. The starting RN salary is only 2-3 bucks more from what Im learning around here and from recent RN grads I know. And thats 2-3 bucks more than I make, which isnt the highest paying LPN job available around here. I work in home health and prefer to make a little less and not have to bust my butt than to make a little more, but earn every cent in LTC. I look forward to going into the hospital setting as an RN, only I wrongly expected to be making a lot more.

Thanks in advance to any info you can give me. Im hoping it doesnt take several years of experience or working tons of overtime to see the nice paychecks.

Lots of money as a RN but you need some good experience and time. A seasoned Nurse such a myself is as high as $32.77/hr. staff as base pay and with other diffs can climb from there.

Right now I'm working ICU which is my specialty as local contracted agency. My base is $40.50/hr. That ain't chump change and I also work ot when I want to.

Right now, look to get that RN, 2 yrs. of experience and then take a critical care course and work in the UNITS!!! That's where the money is and you will be able to handle anywhere including the ER!!! Don't lose your floor skills, it will pay off later on especially if you want to do travel nursing. I never say no. I always say of course I'll work there.:balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Lots of money as a RN but you need some good experience and time. A seasoned Nurse such a myself is as high as $32.77/hr. staff as base pay and with other diffs can climb from there.

Thank you for the info.

Do you mind if I ask.... how many years of experience would you need to be considered a "seasoned nurse"?

Could someone command that type of salary after, say, five years in the units?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU's,TELE,MED- SURG.
I know that salary is discussed on here all the time and ppl get tired of answering questions....but my question is more in regards to what one makes as a new grad RN and how their pay increases from that point.

Does pay increase a certain amount over a certain period of time?IIs it increased by specializing? What is the best way to get the most income potential (besides night and weekend differentials)?

Also, How does one get a job as a "Pool" nurse and do u still get benefits?

Im an LPN getting ready to bridge over to RN, but I must say Im a little discouraged by the starting salaries Im seeing. I have only been an LPN for a year, but I got a decent starting salary from day one. The starting RN salary is only 2-3 bucks more from what Im learning around here and from recent RN grads I know. And thats 2-3 bucks more than I make, which isnt the highest paying LPN job available around here. I work in home health and prefer to make a little less and not have to bust my butt than to make a little more, but earn every cent in LTC. I look forward to going into the hospital setting as an RN, only I wrongly expected to be making a lot more.

Thanks in advance to any info you can give me. Im hoping it doesnt take several years of experience or working tons of overtime to see the nice paychecks.

First of all, you need 2 years of experience on staff as a RN to really be safe with that license. I know this is an odd thing to say but trust me, I was once in your shoes. I graduated Practical Nursing school in 1979 and went back for my RN a few years later. The staff job with my RN plus 2 ICU Courses and experience has done nothing but put lots of $$$ in my pocket and bank accounts and has given me pride to stay and work in Nursing. The advantages of that RN is indescribable and you do get respect. Don't listen to anyone else.... when patients know they have a RN, they relax a lot more. It's very upsetting to think that most pateints and families don't realize that a Practical Nurse is a Nurse but the whole Country thinks like that and will ask you why you didn;t go back for it.

Anyways, the RN behind your name is paramount in your career and also, the peace of mind it brings because when a job is posted and you want it well, the license is no longer an issue.

I wish you all the best!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Going to Peds!.

New grads in Mobile, Alabama (similar in pay scale to the Florida Panhandle from my understanding) make $17.xx-18.xx/hr. Most of the hospitals have +$2/hr 3-11p shift diff and a +$2.50/hr 11p-7a shift diff. The hospital I accepted a position with is the only one I am aware of that is offering a weekend differential as well. I think it was $2-3/hr. In all, my new grad friends employed by the same hospital on the same unit will make ~$20.84/hr on nights and $22.50-23.50 on weekend nights. I got "lucky" and got days, so I'll earn $18.84/hr. :D I think I can manage with the sacrifice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.
First of all, you need 2 years of experience on staff as a RN to really be safe with that license. I know this is an odd thing to say but trust me, I was once in your shoes. I graduated Practical Nursing school in 1979 and went back for my RN a few years later. The staff job with my RN plus 2 ICU Courses and experience has done nothing but put lots of $$$ in my pocket and bank accounts and has given me pride to stay and work in Nursing. The advantages of that RN is indescribable and you do get respect. Don't listen to anyone else.... when patients know they have a RN, they relax a lot more. It's very upsetting to think that most pateints and families don't realize that a Practical Nurse is a Nurse but the whole Country thinks like that and will ask you why you didn;t go back for it.

Anyways, the RN behind your name is paramount in your career and also, the peace of mind it brings because when a job is posted and you want it well, the license is no longer an issue.

I wish you all the best!

unfortunately, you are absolutely right about the respect level of RNs. Everytime I mention to someone Im an LPN they are like "oh that nice"...and then when I say Im going back to school for my RN this semester they are like "THAT IS WONDERFUL! YES! GO BACK NOW FOR YOUR RN!"....lol. Thanks for the input, I fully intend to go to BSN and likely beyond that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU,MB,Lact.Consultant, L/D.

Hi

Our new grads start around $20/hr.

Our w/e night differential is $5/hr. During the week I believe it is $3.50..dont have a check stub in front of me.

If you get your RNC, your base rate goes up $1.50/hr.

I'm in central Florida.

FLOBRN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.
Hi

Our new grads start around $20/hr.

Our w/e night differential is $5/hr. During the week I believe it is $3.50..dont have a check stub in front of me.

If you get your RNC, your base rate goes up $1.50/hr.

I'm in central Florida.

FLOBRN

Would u mind saying which hospital u work at? Also, what is RNC? Sorry Im slow...just came home from the neverending shift lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion