Florida Roll Call ......

[RNPATL]

Ok - who are you, what do you do, where abouts in Florida do you live (or if you are not in Floirda, what part of Florida do you want to move too), what is your clinical area, you status (CNA, LPN, RN, Student, Whatever) and anything else you might want to add.

Some of you already know me, I lived in Florida for a little over 20 years. An RN, I worked and lived in Sarasota. Went to nursing school at Manatee Community College and also University of South Florida at Sarasota. Great place .... love the beaches and the area is truly a wonderful place. I generally work surgical recovery and while in Florida, I worked in post open heart step down and also worked as a nurse manager.

I am a single dad raising three children (all are now teenagers - whew is this rough!). They are really great kids and I am a very luck father to have them.

Next ...... :chuckle

[RGROSS4]

Cassie,

Good luck with your pre-reqs. I am a PCT at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine. I am in the ADN program at SJRCC and I graduate this December. I am also the President of the SJRCC FNSA Chapter. The Florida Nursing Students Association. When you get a chance, see if you have a chapter of FNSA at DBCC. This is a great organization and most chapters provide mentoring, as well as the opportunity to participate in community service and awareness programs. Check it out.. Good Luck!!!!!! Ron G.

[jCLNC]

I am a Graduate Nurse working in at St Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa. I just took my NCLEX yesterday and am awaiting the results. I hope I can finally join the RN family! :)

Good luck on your results Gator Fan!

My husband is a huge fan, but he never attended the school.

I'm an RN with 31 (eeek) years experience and am thinking very hard (appying for endorsement in case the thinking turns to moving) about moving to the Tampa Bay area. We are looking at homes in the Port Richey, New Port Richey area.

My area of most recent expertise is HOSPICE and by internet search have seen there are a few in the area. Having worked in Hospice for 8 years, I am only considering that for my first job in the area. Any one got any feedback on Hospices around there? As anyone would, looking for decent salary/wages/benefits for a decent day's work.

Any advice on where to live would also be greatly appreciated!! Thanks to anyone who contributes to my plea for information!!

Jenny

[nurz2be]

34 year-old nursing student at Keiser University in Melbourne. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT......(insert drinking a cup of coffee, typing this with one hand and using right eye and studying with other hand and using left eye). I have found that I CAN multi-task and be fairly successful doing so. LOL.

[MustangGirl850]

I'm Heather.. I'm 21.. Live in Orlando.. starting nursing school soon!!

[LeosFire]

Hi,

My name is Elizabeth and I am an RN. I just accepted an emergency room position at Broward General Medical Center. I start next month. I am trying to find an apartment and I understand they offer discounts to nurses relocating. Know anything about that? Appreciate any help.

[kmrmom42]

Welcome to FL everybody and best of luck to those of you in nursing school! We sure need you!

[MustangGirl850]

Hi,

My name is Elizabeth and I am an RN. I just accepted an emergency room position at Broward General Medical Center. I start next month. I am trying to find an apartment and I understand they offer discounts to nurses relocating. Know anything about that? Appreciate any help.

Hi, Elizabeth!

My husband's hospital gave him a welcome packet with a list of apartment complexes that offered hospital discounts.. I think the most that was offered was 25% off... Good Luck!!

[ernursen]

LPN for 4 years in ER. Moving to NE FL as soon as home sells. Waiting on FL temp license to come so I can find work there. Hopefully I won't have a problem.

[kimberlyrb]

Hi IndyRN,

In Sarasota, I believe there are only two hospitals: Sarasota Memorial is city-owned, pretty large, with a good heart program. I've heard "it's a rough place to work," but that was years ago, and I've never worked there so I don't know. When I visited people in that hospital, however, I was impressed with how clean and upscale it is - Sarasota is full of retirees with money and it shows. The other hospital is Doctors, which is a new building out in East Sarasota. It's owned by HCA, (also known as Columbia). They're private and after working at a couple of HCA faciliites, I won't do it again - the only focus seems to be the almighty dollar. Up the road in Bradenton is Manatee Memorial, where I worked for a few years. Used to be County, now private. Also Blake is in Bradenton and its an HCA facility - been there, done that, won't do it again. South of Sarasota is the town of Venice - there is a hospital there, Bon Secours (?), and I think it's also HCA and little. So if you like surgery, look to Sarasota - or else come to Tampa General - we're over 800 beds, and university-affiliated. Whew, that's a lot! Hope you find at least some of this information useful, Kayaknurse.

Hi Kayaynurse,

Do you know anything about Brandon Hospital? I recently bought a house in Valrico and will be spending part of each year there. What kind of working enviornment, what specialty's, etc. Also, what are the wages range, i.e. for RN with 25 + yrs experience. Thanks

[SarasotaRN2b]

Hi IndyRN,

In Sarasota, I believe there are only two hospitals: Sarasota Memorial is city-owned, pretty large, with a good heart program. I've heard "it's a rough place to work," but that was years ago, and I've never worked there so I don't know. When I visited people in that hospital, however, I was impressed with how clean and upscale it is - Sarasota is full of retirees with money and it shows. The other hospital is Doctors, which is a new building out in East Sarasota. It's owned by HCA, (also known as Columbia). They're private and after working at a couple of HCA faciliites, I won't do it again - the only focus seems to be the almighty dollar. Up the road in Bradenton is Manatee Memorial, where I worked for a few years. Used to be County, now private. Also Blake is in Bradenton and its an HCA facility - been there, done that, won't do it again. South of Sarasota is the town of Venice - there is a hospital there, Bon Secours (?), and I think it's also HCA and little. So if you like surgery, look to Sarasota - or else come to Tampa General - we're over 800 beds, and university-affiliated. Whew, that's a lot! Hope you find at least some of this information useful, Kayaknurse.

I currently work as a HUC/CMT at SMH, and while it is true that in the 90s they had a major problem...it is not the same hospital. I live in Bradenton and could work at one of the three hospitals here (Manatee Memorial, Blake Medical Center or Lakewood Ranch), but it was the reputation of SMH that makes me consider working as an RN. The only other hospital I'm looking at when I am finished would be All Children's in St. Pete because of my interest in pediatrics.

If you live in Brandon, Kimberlyb, these hospitals are I believe too distant from your home in Valrico. You want to try to stay within 30-45 minutes if you can.

Good luck!

Kris

[KJB_65]

Hi everyone. I was born and still live in St. Augustine. I am a Hospice Case Manager and have been a nurse for 12 years. I have done a little of everything but Hospice is my first love in nursing. I was a dialysis nurse for 5 years but got severly burnt out also did regular home care for 3 years. Looking forward to reading all the posts.

[rachel33138]

I am Sandy, Nursing Student At Broward Community College, mother of 2 children and married (hard work as well). I live in Sunrise, FL. Hope to get into the L&D field or maybe something more exciting later on. Love this forum.

I go to BCC too. I'm in the second semester and its very stress full. Can you give me any stydy tips?

Do you know how far you have yo reach into the program in order to challenge the LPN board?