LPN Wanting to Move from NY to FL and questions about LPN/RN programs

Nurse_Kimurtle, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2015

HI!! I just relocated from Broward County to Suwannee County, in North Florida, last June. I lived in Broward County all my life (36 years) before relocating. I obtained my LPN license in Broward before leaving.

Broward College has a really good RN program. They have a bridge LPN to RN program, as well as a generic RN program. I'm not sure about Palm Beach County. Most hospitals do not hire LPNs in Florida; they phased them out a few years ago. Some rehab hospitals, such as Kindred, hire LPNs. You might come across one or two hospitals scattered throughout the state that still hire them but for the most part, they do not. You can obtain employment in clinics, long term care/rehab facilities, prisons, doctor's offices, etc.

I gradated LPN school last April, passed the NCLEX June 13th, and moved up to North Florida 3 days later. I got a job 2 months later at a gated retirement community in Gainesville that has a LTC and rehab building, paying $18.31/hr., with full benefits that cost me a FORTUNE out of my paycheck but whatever. I don't think that rate of pay is too bad for a new grad. There is no shift differential pay where I work but each facility is different. I'm sure the starting salary for en experienced LPN would be more than what I make, depending on how much experience you have and the facility that you're applying to.

melmoj · Mar 19, 2015

Hi there! I actually just moved from Miami and was making $19.5/hour but I knew some of my classmates made 15-16$. Another classmate made $25 but she had a supervisor position. For better pay look at the outpatient clinic settings.

Also, I will not lie. I attempted broward's LPN to RN program and had to withdraw. The class size went from 65 to 16 within a two semesters. It was a very disorganized program from what little time I did spend there and I found it very difficult to work because they kept changing our schedules often. Best of luck!

Nurse_Kimurtle, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2015

Yeah, their LPN to RN bridge program is atrocious ESPECIALLY if you need to work while going to school but I have heard that their generic program is pretty good and more flexible than the bridge program. It is an extra semester long but I'd rather stick it out for another semester than fail out of the bridge program because I had to work while going to school. You'd think they would be more flexible with their program, seeing as the majority of the people in the bridge program HAVE to work. As far as pay rates go, it really depends on where you work.

RubicsCube · Apr 2, 2015

Hospitals in Palm Beach County don't hire LPNs. They hire RNs, CNAs or PCTs (patient care techs), which is a CNA with EKG and/or phlebotomy training.

Nurse_Kimurtle, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2015

You're right and it's very unfortunate that they don't. MOST hospitals in Florida do not hire LPNs, which is HIGHLY frustrating. :yawn:

Lil<3LPN · Apr 9, 2015

That's to bad. I've always wanted to move to Florida, especially to either Hollywood, fl or Fort Lauderdale. I would love to stay working in a hospital setting. I want to get a year experience before I go anywhere though. I just recently got my LPN license. As of right now I might get a job in an Urgent Care center as an LPN. In the mean time, I'm working as a CNA in the ER and I love it. I wish they hired LPN's in the ER area but they don't. They are planning on opening up this Urgent Care Center, and they talked to me about working there when they start. I still have to go through the interview process though. I'm hoping I get the job. I would work here for 1-2yrs, and then either move to florida, work, and get my RN or get my RN here, stay, and work with my ER family. Decisions. Lol.

Nurse_Kimurtle, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2015

I lived in Hollywood all my life, 35 years, until moving to North Florida last June. I was born there and grew up there, which was why I left. It became MUCH TOO crowded and just wasn't the same Hollywood that I knew and loved. ALTHOUGH I DO miss it....ONCE IN A WHILE. LOL!!