FNP-FLORIDA?

Hi,

I'm looking for a little advice, experience, thoughts, networking, what not....

I am a seasoned family nurse practitioner and have practiced in two states, both were completely autnomous states for ARNP's. So, no collaboration agreement, or overseeing MD required. If I was inclined to do so I could open my own practice, which isn't totally out of my thoughts (just a scary thought most days).

Anyway, I have recently thought about moving to Florida. I always said I would NEVER practice in a state where NP's were not atonomous, never say never I guess. Now, i'm considering moving to one of the more restricted states as I understand it. Also one of the most poorly paid states. Again, I'm hearing this from some pretty biased people. I currently practice in Seattle where yes, I make well into 6 figures, the cost of living here is so high 6 figures barely pays rent in a crappy appartment. It's like living in NYC and only getting worse.

My brother lives in St Peterburg and my mother also recently moved there. I visited last summer and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Florida, and this was in the summer! Returning to seatlle has been tough. I still have dreams of sunshine and florida and the gulf. Maybe I could put my damn ego on the backburner and move to florida. But people have cautioned me.

What I have been told is that the pay is awful, jobs are hard to come by, and the pay is awful, even considering how much lower cost of living is.

My specialty has been family practice, urgent care, and asethetics primarily.

I'd love to hear/read any thoughts Florida ARNP's can share with me. I have two kids, they also loved Florida, however to move again, I hate to do unless I'm really, really certain. I have just applied for my Florida state license and once that comes through I thought I'd test the waters and see about applying for jobs. But I'd like to know what it's really like to work in state where you are not autonomous. Are jobs really that hard to find? What about schools, kids, family life? Work/Family life ratio. Right now it's terrible, I'm still having to work three jobs to keep us aloat.

Thanks so much!!

Sarah