How to decide on job when looking to move?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 2, 2017

Not sure if I should put this in LPN or Florida or what So I figure general.
I just got my LPN license in early October and want to move and get a job. I have been looking at jobs mostly in Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando, Lady Lake). I have only talked to two places so far, waiting to hear from a few more, both in Jacksonville, one was a group home agency working with people with developmental disabilities (I love this population) with a starting pay of $17.50 an hour plus benefits. The other a rehab center at $19 with benefits , but no night or weekend differential.
Anyhow I am not sure on how I should decide. I know more or less what to expect from the group homes as I have been direct care for some before but are rehabs good for new nurses? Is this a good pay rate for a new LPN I can live off in Floridsa? I have tried looking up LPN salaries but you only ever get the average and since I am low man on the totem pole this doesn't help me much. I have also tried doing research on cost of living in Florida and came up with some numbers but I have no idea if the information I read is actually correct or if I am over estimating based on what I read.

First off, where do you want to live? Orlando and Jacksonville are very different cities. Is there one that you would prefer over the other based on climate, proximity to the beach (or to Disney), culture or your favorite hobbies? I like Jax a lot, and wouldn't discourage you from living there. Orlando -- farther from the beach and too many tourists. But your milage may vary.

As far as salary goes, make sure you're comparing apples to apples. What is the night or evening differential at the first job? As a new hire, you should expect to work at least 50% nights, work every other weekend and every other holiday. Will the $17.50 average out to $21/hour when you factor this in? What about the benefits? If one place gives you great health insurance at $35/paycheck and the other gives you so-so health insurance at $50/paycheck how does that affect your financial bottom line? Is that important to you? You're young and probably healthy, so maybe that isn't a big factor for you. But free Disney tickets, dental or vision coverage, a free Costco membership or something else MAY tilt the scales for you.

A larger employer may offer better benefits. Something to consider.

I live on a boat, don't own a car anymore and walk everywhere so my cost of living is going to be considerably different than yours, probably. One way to estimate is to spend some time on Zillow or some other real estate app. Look to see what houses are selling for or apartments are renting for in an area in which you want to live. Look at roommate situations on Craig's list or hospital bulletin boards or wherever people look for roommates these days. Call your insurance agent and find out how much your car insurance will cost in Florida. There are probably websites where you can find out the average cost of utilities and groceries in Orlando and Jacksonville.

In the end, you're going to find all sorts of costs you didn't think about wherever you decide to live and work. When I was a brand new nurse, I wanted to live in Boston. So I did. It was a great experience, and I'm glad I did it. If you want to live in Florida, you'll find a way to make it work. Good luck with figuring things out and with your move.

muggs · Dec 15, 2017

Thanks for the reply Ruby. I don't know anything about either city as far as lifestyle goes other than Orlando has Disney. I know a few people who live in Jacksonville though. To me it makes little difference it isn't in the middle of nowhere is fine with me, though it would be nice to own a large piece of land.

I don't know much about the jobs as they both wanted me to do face to face interviews and said HR would talk to me about benefits and what not. I do not know if the first job has a differential but I may be able to get a little more to start from them than the 17.50 because I do have experience with that population. All things being equal, since you live there, what would you say is a good starting wage for an entry level LPN? And are there any specific places you'd advise I look at?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 15, 2017

Thanks for the reply Ruby. I don't know anything about either city as far as lifestyle goes other than Orlando has Disney. I know a few people who live in Jacksonville though. To me it makes little difference it isn't in the middle of nowhere is fine with me, though it would be nice to own a large piece of land.
I don't know much about the jobs as they both wanted me to do face to face interviews and said HR would talk to me about benefits and what not. I do not know if the first job has a differential but I may be able to get a little more to start from them than the 17.50 because I do have experience with that population. All things being equal, since you live there, what would you say is a good starting wage for an entry level LPN? And are there any specific places you'd advise I look at?

I honestly have no idea about jobs, wages, etc. I'm not working at present. I do know one woman who is working as a nurse, but she left for the Bahamas last week . . . I'll ask her when she gets back.

I've visited Kissimmee frequently (near Orlando). From what I can see, there's a lot of traffic and a lot of tourists. It's pretty near Disney, so you might not have that issue in other areas around Orlando. I much prefer Jacksonville. There is traffic at times, but I've never altered my plans because traffic was an issue. It's not right ON the ocean, but it's close. Hurricanes aren't USUALLY a big problem there, it's a hurricane hole for boaters, although Irma was an exception. Housing seems to be less pricey in Jax. Between the two, I'd pick Jacksonville in a heartbeat, but that's me.

idkmybffjill · Dec 15, 2017

I'm honestly not sure about average salaries for LPNs in Jax personally, but Glassdoor lets you account for experience. It says the average here is 37k/year for 0-3 years experience.

muggs · Dec 18, 2017

I honestly have no idea about jobs, wages, etc. I'm not working at present. I do know one woman who is working as a nurse, but she left for the Bahamas last week . . . I'll ask her when she gets back.
I've visited Kissimmee frequently (near Orlando). From what I can see, there's a lot of traffic and a lot of tourists. It's pretty near Disney, so you might not have that issue in other areas around Orlando. I much prefer Jacksonville. There is traffic at times, but I've never altered my plans because traffic was an issue. It's not right ON the ocean, but it's close. Hurricanes aren't USUALLY a big problem there, it's a hurricane hole for boaters, although Irma was an exception. Housing seems to be less pricey in Jax. Between the two, I'd pick Jacksonville in a heartbeat, but that's me.

Traffic? Couldn't be worse than Long Island!

I tried Glassdoor and other sites putting in my info but got differing results from $37k-$43k so that just confused me further í ½í¸†