low census in florida

[misdmnr, BSN]

I will be interviewing in Florida at a couple of different hospitals...Gulf Coast Med Center, HealthPark, and Naples. I am concerned about being hired full time and when the snow birds leave in the spring that I will be low censused or have my hours cut. Does anyone know about or have experience in this case? Any info would be helpful. I will be hiring for progressive care units, and med surg units. Thanks in advance!

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I haven't worked in the hospital in a long time but I noticed a drastic (almost non-existent) snow bird population at the hospitals that I worked shortly after our second year in a row of massive hurricanes and home owners insurance increases. During the winter I always saw an increase but it wasn't related to where the patient was from, rather it was flu season.

Are you looking to work FT, PT, Pool/PRN, or agency. This will have a huge impact as to whether your hours get cut. Also, the shifts that you are willing to accept. It wouldn't hurt to ask the employer what the likelihood would be or what their policy is for cancellations. I did this with my first job and HR had no issue being up front with me telling me that if I worked FT I had almost no chance of being cancelled unless I volunteered. If I was Pool, well, I was the first up after all the agency shift were cancelled for the call off (unless the agency was a contract, then I was the first to be called off).

[misdmnr, BSN]

I will be full time. I would prefer nocs for the shift differential, but I would be willing to cover all shifts. What years was it slow? And has it picked up since? I just want to make sure with spending $1000 on rent plus bills, money won't be an issue. Especially if I am going to be contracted for a couple of years. Also, what hospital and unit did you work? Thanks!