Florida Nursing?

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Hi...

I originally posted this in the Florida Nursing Forum but didn't get any replies. If anyone has any information please help me out :mad:

I am currently residing in New Jersey and I am very interested in relocating to the Port Charlotte area in Florida. I just have a few questions and concerns:

1)I am a nurse with 25 years experience working in the ER and Trauma units. I would like to know the current salary range for someone with my experience to see if it would be beneficial for me to move to Florida.

2)Do the hospitals offer 12 hour shifts and Baylor positions?

3)Are the nurses expected to be physicians hand maidens? Are nurses considered respected professionals and treated with the same accord? I only ask this because at my current position the nurses are encouraged to use their critical thinking skills and work as a team member with the physician.

I'm looking forward to your input in regards to these issues as I just got back from a Florida vacation and would really enjoy living down there.

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Florida is pretty well-known for its crappy pay, despite the cost of living. They are VERY fond of the phrase "we pay in sunshine". Unfortunately, nobody else accepts sunshine for payment - it must be a nurse thing. I have not looked at the Port Charlotte area, in particular, but with my own 8 years of experience, I have been offered $17-20/hr base most places I've looked in FL. Disgusting isn't it?

I was not able to find Baylor there, but things are pretty unit-specific, from what I experienced. Oh, there are weekend-only positions, but its not as beneficial as Baylor. They are pretty scant on benefits, from what I've seen.

I would be very cautious about a move there to take a permanent position. There are a lot of HCA-run facilities there and my experiences with HCA (attempts to negotiate travel contracts and speaking with other travelers) have led me to two observations about their apparent way of thinking: nurses aren't worth paying for and doctors are gods. While I wouldn't mind living in Florida, I believe I would have to work in another profession to make it worthwhile. Very sad...very very sad.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Multiple threads on this topic.

Please use "search" and enter Florida, generally at least one thread per week on the topic....as such, few people respond to the newer threads.

Several points:

Lousy pay and it doesn't matter how many years of Nursing. Pay is better in Orlando, Miami, and Fort Myers, but still pretty low. Florida won the dubious "Nursing Salary Hall of Shame" award. An no, the COL is lower but not that low.

Most patients will be elderly. Patients will have many age related comorbidities.

Census changes seasonally. Prepare to be overworked for 6 monthes and low censused the other 6 monthes. Hospital occupancy doubles or triples in Winter time....unfortunately Staffing doesn't, though some pickup per diem or travelers.

Apply for your license early as it may take 3 to 10 months to get it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I had a friend that worked Baylor in Port Charlotte, but that was years ago. Here in St. Pete, they offer weekend only plans.

It depends on the doctors, but most docs here in Florida have a collaborative relationship with nurses, especially critical care nurses. But respect sometimes has to be earned.

The average pay for RNs in this area is 23.00 according to a recent survey that was published in the newspaper. I'm making $28.00/hr plus $3.00 diff.

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Specializes in L&D, Women's Health.

Port Charlotte . . . my area of Florida. I'm from Naples. Pay in SW FL sucks . . . starting pay, regardless of years of practice, is $17-18/hr in this area. Haven't heard of the Baylor plan in years. Like probably anywhere else, you have your jerky docs and some who truly are part of a team. (I work night shifts and usually seek my passive-aggressive revenge on the jerks.)

I am one more than willing to trade higher paycheck for sunshine! I've lived in FL all my life and have no desire to move. I'd gladly settle for a cheaper car/house/etc in exchange for walking along the beach watching the sunset every night and temps rarely below 70s! I've been a single parent since my kids were toddlers and have received no child support. I've managed quite well on what I earn and currently am putting two kids through college on what I make.

SW FL does have a very seasonal population . . . ERs swamped with sick, elderly folks from Nov-Apr. Hospitals usually hire travelers (who are also happy to exchange snow tires for flip-flops) to help out during those months.

Good luck if you move down here.

Gail

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Thank you all for the information...I really appreciate it. The bottom line is: Less money, better quality of life...It's going to be a tough decision. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
Thank you all for the information...I really appreciate it. The bottom line is: Less money, better quality of life...It's going to be a tough decision. :rolleyes:

Better quality of life is debatable. I for one can leave without the heat, the mosquitos, the poorly rated school system, etc.

PS. I grew up in Florida, as the child of "native Floridians" with ancestors that founded one of the counties. And no one in my family that has left the state has ever wanted to return to it, in its current condition.

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