Hospital search in Florida

iluvgusgus · Mar 29, 2014

Im a nurse in FL and some hospitals start at 20/hour

Txm9256 · Mar 30, 2014

Wow, even experienced nurses? I have heard both things that nurses either make much more there than MO and that they don't. We are looking at either Tampa or Melbourne area at this time. What part of FL do you live in?

Ilovethe80s · Mar 31, 2014

As a GN, I started out at $17.80/hr. This was a shock because that was what I made as an admin assistant in southeast VA in a much more lower stress job, but I wanted a job, so I took it! I worked for 3 yrs full time and usually got a 15 cent raise/hr per year, but I finally changed to PRN status and what a difference - I make $30/hr. I live in northwest FL and I think we tend to have lower pay than in the places like Tampa and Miami. Good luck!

Txm9256 · Apr 2, 2014

Thanks so much for the advice... I started in MO 8 years ago as a GN at $16 but now almost make $28...im hoping to find a similar wage in FL!

nancyfla · Apr 3, 2014

I am an O.R. nurse, and work and live in the Melbourne, Fl. area. There are two major health organizations in the area: Wuestoff and HealthFirst. Of the two, I think HealthFirst is better. Holmes Regional, Cape Canaveral , Viera, and Palm Bay hospitals are all part of the HealthFirst corporation. Holmes Regional is a major Trauma hospital and they are always looking for nurses. Why don't you go to Healthfirst.org, put in an application and talk to a nurse recruiter and ask about salary? Because there are two hospital systems in the area, they have to keep their rates competitive. I think with your amount of experience, somewhere in the high twenties is reasonable, especially if you are certified. I really like living in Melbourne.It has wonderful beaches, it's small enough that you don't have to deal problems like heavy traffic or major crime, but it's still less than an hour's drive to Orlando if you need a big city fix.

Txm9256 · Apr 4, 2014

Which hospital do you work at? How long have you worked there, and do you love it there? I feel like our hospital has been taken over by the Corporation that owns it, and now only cares about making a profit, and not about its employees. Things have gotten really bad lately, and we barely have enough staff to run our rooms each day. It's really sad because it used to be a great place to work. I am wondering if all hospitals are going to get more like this because of Obama Care, or if it's just the hospitals in this area??? Thanks so much for your advice! I am having so much fun looking, and I am so excited at the thought of being able to move this year!!!

nancyfla · Apr 4, 2014

I work at Palm Bay Hospital and really like it. Everyone works together in the OR to get a case started which is really helpful because management wants our turnover time between cases to be less than 15 minutes, even for total joints. The only way to do that is to have other staff open the room and check trays for the scrub tech while the circulator goes for the patient. I think all hospitals are going through the same thing now cutting costs and increasing revenue through more surgeries a day because they know they will not be reimbursed like they used to under the Affordable Care Act ( Obamacare). I had to go to the ER last month for stomach pain and was shocked when the ER nurse told me they also were timed for their turnover time between patients! But I think once the dust settles and they adjust to the new rules and learn to adapt, things will get better. But right now is not a fun time to be working in healthcare.

Txm9256 · Apr 5, 2014

Thank you so much nancyfla for your help and info... Would you mind if I had your email address? I have lots more questions for you! :)

nancyfla · Apr 6, 2014

I would be glad to answer your questions, but I am a little leary of putting my email address on such a public forum

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 6, 2014

A wise move, nancyfla.

Some members have experienced spamming after putting their email on this very public board.

If you have the requisite 15 posts, members may PM (Private Message) each other.

Click on the member's name and in the middle of the next window click "Send PM".

Apologies for taking this off-topic.

Carry on! :)

KTK157 · Apr 6, 2014

I can not speak about the hospitals there; however, my sister and brother live there. Their cost of living is very similar to mine even though I'm in GA. IMO, our cost of living is relatively low compared to other areas.

Homefair.com is a great site that tells you about a city before you move there. It can give you crime rates, school reviews, and cost of living. On the site it allows you to compare your current salary to what you would need to make to sustain the same comfort of living in the new city. The site is overcrowded with ads nowadays but the information is great!