Hourly wage question in FL?

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We are moving to the Trinity/Odessa/New Port Richey/Tarpon Springs area next summer. I know the cost of living and wages are lower down there but I'm finding conflicting information.

Could Those of you in the know provide some hourly wage information so we know what to expect. It's hard to create a budget and mortgage plan when I don't know how much we will make.

I will be an RN with 1 year experience and 16 years of healthcare experience. I'm hopping to be a floor nurse down there. My wife will be a new RN grad. Not sure where her interests lay.

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Or should we consider working closer/in Tampa?

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Specializes in Informatics; Telemetry/Med Surg.

I'm in a hospital about an hour north of Trinity on a telemetry floor and started a base pay of $23/hr (new grad with a BS in Business Management - nursing is a 2nd career choice for me). Hopefully a new grad working in Tampa will be able to compare.

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Specializes in Critical Care, MICU/SICU/CCU/PACU.

I am relocating down there as well and have been interviewing. I work in critical care, so I don't know if they pay more for the unit or not. I have over 2 years experience and my base pay offers have been $26-27/hr. I have my CCRN which is $1.50 more. Then I have offers from HCA who does shift diff of $3.50 from 3p-11p, $4.50 from 11p-7a.

I am also interviewing for travel positions, which you might want to consider (your wife would need to get some experience first). After 1-2 years you can travel. I am doing it to get a few short term contracts in and get to know the different hospitals down there. I figure this is a good way to test out different floors before deciding on a place to stay long term. That area has contracts that pay out a net of about $1000-1200/week. Remember, this does not include most benefits. Health coverage isn't terribly expensive through the travel companies, but if your wife gets a full time position somewhere you could share her medical coverage I would imagine.

Just another idea for you to consider.

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