Florida hospitals and apartment

rhine1121 · Mar 10, 2017

Try checking apartmentguide.com or something similar online. There is an apartment less than a mile from Bartow Regional Medical Center in Bartow FL , level 3 hospital. I used to live in that apartment when I was working at that hospital. The old name was Ashley Glen Apartment and I think the new one is Fountain Place.The reason I moved out is because I want to be nearer to the current hospital I am working. Bartow is located between Tampa and Orlando area. It is a county seat of Polk County. I don't know what you're looking for in regards to the size of the hospital, but if you are not picky, this is the best place to start while learning how to drive. I was like you when I got here in the US. I did not know how to drive. I bought a bicycle and used it in going to work. The apartment is practically near to everything, wal-mart, publix, mcdonalds, etc.. You will not go hungry.:).. If you like the bigger cities, there is Winter Spring, Winter PArk and Altamonte ( Orlando area). Hope this helps..

ThereseRN2015 · Mar 10, 2017

Thank you so much for the reply rhine! What country are you from? And was its hard to apply for the said hospital? What were your experiences? Sorry im flooding you with question! Hope you can reply againí ½í¸„

rhine1121 · Mar 10, 2017

I'm from the Philippines. It is owned by baycare if you go to the one in Bartow. Just look it up online, they have a lot of hospitals around central florida. The people there were very nice. I don't know the current situation. Baycare just bought the hospital last year and I heard that the pay rate is competitive and benefits is good.

Meeshie · Mar 14, 2017

Public transportation in Florida is awful compared to New York. Seriously. Either get a car and learn to drive faster or get an apartment in walking distance to whereever you get hired.

kjhinckley · Mar 15, 2017

I work for Florida Hospital Orlando in Central Florida and live in Sanford/Lake Mary area. I can tell you at least for here, the "sunrail" is an awesome commuter train that runs right to FH Orlando! There is an apartment right next to the Lake Mary station that is very nice...I think it is called Station House? Good luck!

kjhinckley · Mar 15, 2017

Florida Hospital Orlando also has the Health Village surrounding it which has some pricier apartments...The Ivy I think they're called. But they're literally around the corner.

EllaBella1, BSN · Mar 16, 2017

As a former New Yorker I second what Meeshie said. Unfortunately you can't get away without a car here. I mean you can, but you would be SO limited in what you could do. There are no walkable live/work areas here like there are in NY. You could potentially live close enough to work to walk, but likely wouldn't be close enough to get to a grocery store/entertainment of any sort. The public transportation in most of Florida is terrible. I would suggest you take some driving lessons and buy a cheap car once you get down here.

ThereseRN2015 · Mar 17, 2017

Rhine, Sorry I took so long to reply! Just took my NCLEX and I REALLY HOPE I PASS! Huhu. I am also from the Philippines. Can you tell me more about your experience? Were you with family and did you know people from the hospital? Im trying to find out if I will have a really really hard time applying for hospitals or should I go for Nursing Homes first? I still dont have clinical experience after passing NLE because I immediately focused on my application for NCLEX which you is very hard and frustrating for international nurses. What do you think I should do? advice would really be great!

ThereseRN2015 · Mar 17, 2017

Ella, will do! Thank you! I will try and hurry up because I really need to be down there soon!

rhine1121 · Mar 18, 2017

What I can suggest is look up the websites of the hospitals inn the area you are interested in. Talk to HR and ask if they have a RN residency program, most big hospitals do. In your case, since you are a foreign graduate nurse, I suggest, get your documents ready ( license, diploma, etc. My mother petitioned me to come over here. I have work experience back home so what I did was just apply randomly to any hospitals. In my opinion, if you are not picky, you'll likely to get a job sooner. The main thing is, get enough experience and then you can choose wherever you want to go.

Peachez1, ADN, BSN · Mar 18, 2017

For apartment searches use zillow.com or craigslist (if using craigslist be SUPER careful, there are scammers everywhere and take a friend or 3 with you to look at new places). In this area places for rent run right around 100/ sq ft. Sometimes you can get one heck of a deal - most times not. Also PLEASE please check out the AC. You will use that down here more than you use the heat, and ask if lawn care is included. NO one wants to cut grass after working 12 hours in 100F plus humidity heat!! There are a few gems here and there - once you find what you may want to go check out plop it into google and see if anyone has reviews on it.

I'm in the St.Pete, Largo, Clearwater area. There are (I do think) 10 hospitals in this area. On the Tampa side there is at least that many if not more. Finding a hospital should not be a challenge at all!

Public transportation CAN be done - but compared to other cities the one that runs on this side of the bridge is pretty bad. I've lived in smaller cities that had WAY better transportation. While your learning to drive better (because drivers here - and tourist season - are crazy) just allow yourself WAY extra time to commute back and forth. I've taken the bus system before and it works (barely). There is also TONS of uber drivers all over the place that can get you where you need to be super quick!

Good luck on your move and your new hospital search!! Welcome to Florida!!