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.
:balloons: Hi There RNPATL. I am originally from Miami and God knows how desperatly I wanna go back home. Perhaps a little further north this time Ft. Lauderdale seems nice. I have been gone for about 11 years now. I am currently living in Puerto Rico and I graduate in dec. of this year, if I get my internship @ Southnassu Hopital in Long Island if not I grad. in aug. I am studing @ UIPR RN ASN. Before I leave for Fl. I intend to take my n-clex what else do you think I'll need and what are the possibilities of getting into an L&D department? The Nursing programs here in PR are very different from what I have read in replys and in the forums on this site. I gotta tell ya, I'm scared. The real nursing world seems overwhelming but I really have worked very hard, studied hard and feel that i'll be a good nurse. My GPA is 3.85 do you think i'll be able to get in to a RN-BSN program? Anyway any 411 will be greatly appreciated. GOD BLESS. :uhoh21:
I am sure you will find that Florida is a great place to practice nursing. Once you return, just remember to interview your employer as much as they interview you so you can select the best possible job for yourself. As a new graduate there are many opportunities available to you and you need to be in control of your own destiny.
Good luck and I am sure other members of the board will respond and provide you with some great information as you return to Florida. Best of luck to you.
I moved to Florida from CT just last November. I got a lot of help from folks on this website as I made my decision about where to go. I live in Orange City and work at the BirthCare Center at Florida Hospital Deland. I have an ADN, BA (psych), MA (community psych), and I am in the process of completing my MSN through the University of Phoenix-Online. I decided to move to FL after my three kids grew up and after my divorce. I have lived in New England my entire life and I HATE winter.
I am not crazy about the medical atmosphere here in Florida, it is kind of behind the times. And sometimes I miss my two oldest who are still in CT. But, when I feel that way I just have to go to any one of the amazing beaches here in this paradise of a state and I feel better about my decision.
Of course, Hurricane Charley and now Hurricane Frances (only 3 weeks later) are testing my resolve! Fortunately I bought a block house that sits on pretty high ground so I should be okay I think. But who knows. I wish you all the best as we will all be affected by this storm.
Deland is VERY antiquted compared to other hospitals. Halifax is a little more progressive, then there are the hospitals in Orlando...I work in Altamonte (FL Hosp) but not L&D.
Deland is VERY antiquted compared to other hospitals. Halifax is a little more progressive, then there are the hospitals in Orlando...I work in Altamonte (FL Hosp) but not L&D.
My prior message was posted a while back. I know more now than I did then.
Actually, although the building is old I am not finding that the practices here are any more "antiquated" than the other hospitals around us. And since I arrived we have a new manager who has been VERY effective at making changes and we are well on our way toward excellence. We are the only nursing unit of the hospital that consistently, week after week for months, receives Patient Satisfaction scores above the 90th percentile. The new manager has appointed me the Education Coordinator for the unit and we are working on bringing everyone's knowledge base up to the present level of evidence-based practice. We have at least one new doctor coming on board, possibly two and that should help us as well.
There is also a plan to renovate but both the manager and I feel that pretty surroundings are not the most important thing, excellence in care is.
Hi There,I live in New York moved here from Ireland 22 years ago and went to Nursing school here.I have been in psych for the past 15 years and am ready for a change.My husband and I have visited Florida about every 6 months for the past 8 years.We just love it there.We would like to relocate to the Port Charlotte,Fort Myers area.How is the job situation there?I know the salaries are a lot less than NY but to get away from the cold winters would be worth the payoff.(I cant shovel any more snow)The winters are very long and depressing.I would probably stay in psych,would love maternity but it is impossible to get into.I did med/surg 15 years ago and lets just say it was not my cup of tea!!Does any body have any info for me,would greatly appreciate it.I have plenty of info on New York if needed.Thanks...Mel.
Hi, I will be moving to Florida (Orlando) in May right after I graduate to get away from the snow here in Idaho. I have a job waiting at Sand Lake Hospital and would love any feedback about that hospital anybody has. Also I would love to know if anybody has any tips for boards.
I'm a studentjust finishing the second semester in ADN. Hubby I have lived in southeast Florida for the past eight years. After graduating, I'll probably do a year of purgatory and then go into psych/mental health.
My previous profession involved criminal court (not a lawyer). That was where I watched too many unfortunate mentally ill folks go to jail and do without their meds, instead of being sent to a proper hospital. I'm not talking about the evil guys (that's a whole 'nuther story).
It's true that the weather here can leave a lot to be desired but maybe we should count our blessings.:flowersfo
Hello! I am new to this forum. I am a New Jersey born, New York raised, Massachusetts-relocated, 30 year old. I recently obtained my RN and my husband and I are relocating to Florida in the next months. Of course I just began the paperwork for FL licensure...hoping it processes quickly as I noticed most hospitals clearly indicate that FL licensure is required. Anyway, I am likely moving to Broward County, FL so I would like to pick your brains. Where should a new grad be looking if I want a good hospital with a good new-grad program? I would love some direction. Thanks in advance!
Hello! I am new to this forum. I am a New Jersey born, New York raised, Massachusetts-relocated, 30 year old. I recently obtained my RN and my husband and I are relocating to Florida in the next months. Of course I just began the paperwork for FL licensure...hoping it processes quickly as I noticed most hospitals clearly indicate that FL licensure is required. Anyway, I am likely moving to Broward County, FL so I would like to pick your brains. Where should a new grad be looking if I want a good hospital with a good new-grad program? I would love some direction. Thanks in advance!
-Christine
Hi, Christine. I haven't graduated yet but I've heard through the grapevine that Memorial Hospital West is a good place for nurses. The home page is: http://www.memorialwest.com/ . Go to Employment, then Apply, and check out the benefits. :) Good luck, new neighbor. I'm south of you in Dade County.
Hi, Christine. I haven't graduated yet but I've heard through the grapevine that Memorial Hospital West is a good place for nurses. The home page is: http://www.memorialwest.com/ . Go to Employment, then Apply, and check out the benefits. :) Good luck, new neighbor. I'm south of you in Dade County.
I moved to SE Florida two weeks before 9/11 from Long Island. I got a job as an MDS Coordinator at a facility in Palm Beach County. I do the MDS for all the short term rehab Medicare patients. I have an assistant who does the insurance patients and the long term care patients. I am an RN with an associate's degree from Suffolk County Community College on Long Island. I was an LPN prior to that. I have 25 years experience. I work Mon-Fri, no weekends or holidays. I have yet to reach the salary I made in NY, but I'm close. The cost of living, especially property taxes, is so much less here than on LI it more than makes up for the salary difference. When I sold my house on LI, I purchased a condo there, which I rent out and plan to live in for the summers when I retire someday. To me, that is the best of both worlds, Florida from November to April, NY from May to October. As far as employers go, I think mine is pretty good (for Florida!).
I'm a UK RN and I've just returned from my latest trip to Florida and guess what I brought back with me? A job!! :chuckle
I started the process 6 months ago (immigration issues), passed NCLEX last month, and just signed with Florida Hospital as an RN. I have to wait for my green card tho, the hospital are petitioning me, could be a long wait from what I hear.
I would appreciate any information from anyone who works for Fl Hosp. I have a home already near Celebration Health and had chosen there as a convenient place to work. However, I've been told that as an employee of Fl Hosp, I could probably get a position at any of their sites. I'm now thinking of looking further afield to live from the Disney area, somewhere a little more tranquil.
winter.
RNPATL, DNP, RN
1,146 Posts
I am sure you will find that Florida is a great place to practice nursing. Once you return, just remember to interview your employer as much as they interview you so you can select the best possible job for yourself. As a new graduate there are many opportunities available to you and you need to be in control of your own destiny.
Good luck and I am sure other members of the board will respond and provide you with some great information as you return to Florida. Best of luck to you.