I'm considering switching careers to nursing. The two things I'm taking into consideration, of equal importance, are: Would I like this job most of the time? And what is the salary?
Now, someone I know who is about to graduate from a Central Florida private nursing school with her RN told me that Lakeland Regional Medical Center was hiring at about $30 an hour, which I thought sounded great.
But then I look at fairly recent posts on this board and they seem to indicate new nurses in Florida can expect about $21, $22 an hour, depending on where they start.
Seriously????
I mean, I currently make $17 an hour, so $22 is certainly better, and there's always the opportunity to make overtime, make a little more per hour by working nights and weekends...but still! Is this true? If it is, I'm kinda disapointed.
Is there at least hope of working my way up the salary ladder if I continue my education and get certifications? Would it be unreasonable to think I could get up to $30 an hour in Florida, or would I have to leave the state?
florida has something for everyone and there is no perfect situation. miami has ridiculous housing prices and the nursing salaries are not competititve. orllando is a little less pricey and have much beter salaries. northern florida has a much lower cost of living but the pay may not be what it should. you have to decide which you are not willing to compromise. many organizations try to offer an attractive benefits package to compensate but be sure to read all the fine print before you sign anything and remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. but in nursing, there are always options and many different roads your career can take, just find what turns you on and makes you look forward to going to work the next day. you spend a good part of your life in your career so it has to be something that makes you smile. life is short...a day in a job you do not like, can seem like an eternity.
There are many different areas to work as a nurse - LPN or RN. Hospitals always pay the least, nursing homes/rehab facilities pay better, and home health pays the best. There is always room for growth and you will never be bored. If you get tired of one area of nursing you can go to a different area.
There are many different areas to work as a nurse - LPN or RN. Hospitals always pay the least, nursing homes/rehab facilities pay better, and home health pays the best. There is always room for growth and you will never be bored. If you get tired of one area of nursing you can go to a different area.
I guess it depends where you are. Around here hospitals pay the best by far. Those who work HH (even though the hospital) are practically volunteers.
Just wanted add to this post. I have worked at LRMC for 3.5 years and I have been a nurse for almost 6 years. I make $27.41 base rate. My night differential is approximately $4.50. SO YES I do make over $30 an hour at LRMC. They no longer are offering the weekender position, so those that have it are grandfathered. The weekender position was that the differential was an additional 1/3 of your base rate of pay, plus the night differential if you worked nights. Sweet deal it was, but you gave up every weekend. We used to get raises twice a year. Our contract was renegotiated last fall and we get a raise once a year now and the percentage is tied into our performance evaluations. I do hear that the new graduates are being hired on at about $20.00 and hour. As far as nursing homes paying more than hospitals. I dont find that this is true. LPNs are making more money at nursing homes, but I dont know about RNs. :) Happy nursing all.
9livesRN, BSN, RN
1,570 Posts
i will have a get together at the ale house when i pas the neclex!