Future Florida Nurse looking for a few mentors...

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Hi, My name is Amanda...I have been trying to obtain my RN degree for over 5 years now...(sigh)... I have finally come to the point in my life where it is either do or don't and I am fully committed to the "DO"... Two weeks ago I passed the NET Exam at DBCC and am looking forward to applying to the RN program in May 2006, the waiting list is long and looks like I will have to wait for maybe 12 to 18 months before I can begin my Nursing courses. I have to finish one pre req (Math) and one co-req (Micro Biology) then all I have left to complete are the Nursing Classes and I will have earned my ASN... I currently work as an Accounting Office Manager at an Automobile Dealership and find that although the pay is comparable (32K a year) I know without a sliver of doubt that I was destined to take care of others, I am especially drawn to the elderly...

Can anyone tell me what I can expect in earnings as a "Fresh" out of School Nurse???

How does a BSN help in the Nursing world??? (Broad Question)

Any information is appreciated, Thank You so very much!!!!

-Amanda

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Hi Amanda, Welcome to Allnurses!

I'm not sure what the starting salary is now for new grads. I think in my area it's around $19/hr not counting shift diff or weekend rates.

As far as having a BSN, you'll get a little extra money for that and you'll get more in-depth knowledge as well as being able to have more choices about where you want to go in nursing.

There have been many very heated debates on this discussion board as to which degree is "better," but only you can decide what your goals are and how best to meet them.

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Hi Amanda,

Florida's starting rates for new grads vary by geographical region and whether the hospital is unionized or not. At my facility, where the nurses are represented by SEIU, new grads start at around $23/hr not counting shift and weekend differential.

Lots of success in your studies!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Angine, I think Tampa Bay has gone up to about $21/hr for new grads due to competition.

The advantage of the BSN is seen later on, as you choose to get away from bedside nursing and perhaps into management, teaching, research, education, etc. But at first there is no clear cut advantage at the bedside as BSN start out on equal footing with ADN's.

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Thank you all for the information, I live in Flagler County and am attending Daytona Beach Community College...I am excited about starting my classes but I am also nervous, fear of the unknown.....I am confidant that I will be a good nurse, I am very compassionate, empathetic and a nuturer naturally. I am also aware that it will take skills that I will have to work hard at to master...What are some of your daily duties as an RN that you enjoy and what are the ones that you can't hardly stand???

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Hi Amanda,

...At my facility, where the nurses are represented by SEIU, new grads start at around $23/hr not counting shift and weekend differential.

Wow!! A Nurse's Union in Florida!? Where is it that you work, tlcprn2u? I looked on the SEIU site (http://www.nursealliancefl.org/) but I couldn't find the hospitals where they are active in. :(

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Wow...The scary thing about changing careers at this time in my life is the fact that I already have respondsibilities ie; mortgage, car payment, basic bills and debt that I have to make sure I can take care of and I need to at least make $15.00 an hour and work 40 hours a week in order to meet my cost of living. Of course along with that I will be adding another bill (student loans)....I am not trying to become rich, I am just following my dream as I am sure you all have/are.... I am a hard worker and am very loyal (9 years so far with this company)....It is silly how hard it is in Florida to find a job that pays $15.00 an hour especially where I live, Flagler County... We have many hospitals within a 30 mile radius and quite a few Nursing Homes in which I could seek employment, I would also be interested in working for Hospice, I lost my mother at a tender age of 22 so I can really be empathetic to those dying and losing loved ones...Do you think I would have a problem "STARTING" out making at least $15.00 an hour????
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Wow!! A Nurse's Union in Florida!? Where is it that you work, tlcprn2u? I looked on the SEIU site (http://www.nursealliancefl.org/) but I couldn't find the hospitals where they are active in. :(

From the SEIU website (http://www.seiu.org/health/issues/southflorida_spot.cfm):

In January 12th, more than 500 nurses, service, and technical workers in Miami voted to join SEIU, making North Shore Medical Center the region's sixth hospital where employees have come together for a true voice in the delivery of patient care.

The North Shore workers joined the rapidly growing SEIU Florida Health Care Union--which also represents hospital employees at Pan American Hospital, Cedars Medical Center, and Parkway Hospital in Miami, as well as St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
:...Do you think I would have a problem "STARTING" out making at least $15.00 an hour????

Absolutely definately you will find a job as an RN that pays more than 15/hr. starting out. Don't worry about that.

Using the difficult to navigate salary.com, it states that salary for Staff RNs at Daytona beach is $49,000 or $23.00/hr. (Take that with a grain of salt and not the gospel truth.)

Good luck. You can look forward to a nice middle income that will sustain your currently lifestyle and then some. Best wishes.

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