LPNs in FL. Please help!!!!

SmilesNoir · Feb 7, 2010

Research! Research before moving to Florida.

There is a recession in Florida, really everywhere. Florida wages have been bastardize in all fields. South Fla I've heard is worst. I could be wrong. I would try to search this site for answers. I am sure that this question has been asked and answered before.

Also, I would try to call HR facilities in SFla. The rep's could help you with your answers. for research purposes, you can call medical staffing agencies about wages. Business owners/Hospitals only care about bottom line, $$.

LPN's in Tampa are mostly in LTC. I've seen a couple of hospitals hire LPN.

I would not leave a job until. I had a guarantee job in Fla.

My friend is RN mgr for a nursing home in Ohio. He said He has seen plenty of folks with LPN/RN's leave for Florida and come back upon up north wages vs Florida wages.

Some places are not willing to hire NEW Grads. They want experience. Alot of New grads are without jobs.

I hope, someone comes in here and gives you a different prospective. This will means job growth in Florida.

disclaimer: I have not start my LPN journey. But, I am researching wages for LPN and other fields. Florida is a mess.

itsmejuli · Feb 8, 2010

The above poster got it right when she/he said Florida is a mess.

If I was in your shoes I wouldn't give up that good paying job to move here.

I'm looking forward to the day when I can leave Florida.

Read as much as you can from online newspapers like the Miami Herald or St Petersburg Times about the economy here. Look at the price of rent through craigslist. Trust me, the cost of living here is high vs the wages. Oh and don't forget how much car insurance is here, its likely higher than where you're living now.

alain_johns · Feb 9, 2010

I hail from Miami and it generally feels like there are more LPNs down here then there are JOBS. Do not move to Dade County. It is indeed a complete mess. Not sure about Broward nor Ft Lauderdale. But I imagine it can't be too far off from how bad it is here.

SmilesNoir · Feb 9, 2010

They consider you a new nurse per reading on here and elsewhere w/ less than 1.5 yr.

I really thought someone else would come in here and give a different prospective about job situation. I was hoping Florida job growth was beginning.

The truth is .. there are 1million (more or less.. alot of ppl have stop filing for UC) Floridians probably unemployed or underemployed.

I went today the public health clinic today. The phlebotomist sd she makes $9.90 hr. Once she clears all those acronyms on her check stub. She makes $300 a week/$1200k a month. She should be making $3 dollars more. Also, the state does have good health insurance. Pinellas county supposedly were hiring for comm public health nurses look under my Florida jobs. I was on Pinellas County Sheriff website they are hiring or accepting applications for lpns,$23.

itsmejuli · Feb 10, 2010

Considering the budget deficit of Pinellas county I'm surprised they're hiring anyone. The jail is severely overcrowded according to news reports. I wouldn't want to work in the jail with the overcrowding going on.

Here's some info http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jan/27/budget-shortfall-causes-pinellas-sheriff-ponder-mo/

I'm applying for jobs in my previous career experience, I have an interview tomorrow and a temp one week assignment next week.

I'm really starting to question going into nursing at this point. I've been accepted to start RN program in May. I'm highly doubting I'll bother with it since there are appear to be no new grad RN jobs in this area.

Oh yeah, state LPNs make around $14 an hour. Whoopee, I made more in my previous career. Plus a friend who works for the state said they haven't had a raise in 3 years.

SmilesNoir · Feb 10, 2010

Considering the budget deficit of Pinellas county I'm surprised they're hiring anyone. The jail is severely overcrowded according to news reports. I wouldn't want to work in the jail with the overcrowding going on.
Here's some info http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jan/27/budget-shortfall-causes-pinellas-sheriff-ponder-mo/
I'm applying for jobs in my previous career experience, I have an interview tomorrow and a temp one week assignment next week.
I'm really starting to question going into nursing at this point. I've been accepted to start RN program in May. I'm highly doubting I'll bother with it since there are appear to be no new grad RN jobs in this area.
Oh yeah, state LPNs make around $14 an hour. Whoopee, I made more in my previous career. Plus a friend who works for the state said they haven't had a raise in 3 years.

Yes, I saw the news on Pinellas county deficit. I would not want to work jail. But, if she wants to make near her up north wages.. If PCSO is hiring, it's the closest thing to it.

Yes, State workers have not made a COL or raises in yrs. I have friends in child support and probation field. But, they have a helluva benefit package. Health insurance and Go back to school at any Florida college or CC for free or next to free.

I start LPN in March. If things do not turn around, back north or Texas I go..

This why I said to OP. Research Research Research.. Personally I would sit still. I would talking about relocation with someone (from Fla to anywhere). The person (who had a job) said You should stick in place. things will turn around sometime. I was laid off 2008. I just found something.. temp full time in October. Someone called me about a job. It was a grant job and would expire in 2011 with no renewal options. :clown:

heegagee · Feb 19, 2013

Hello, I am considering moving down to Florida. I grew up there and some of my family still lives there so I had hopes of moving down to be closer to them but there is a few things that are holding me back and so I hope some of you that are LPNs can give me a broader veiw of some questions I have. I have been looking on criagslist in the jobs section and see many ads in which are titled "LPN or CNA". One of the questions I have are how are LPNs veiwed down in Florida. Are we in the same cateorgory as a CNA? That just makes no sense to me. While I respect CNAs and was one prior to going to school, I do feel that I went to nursing school to be just that, A NURSE!What is the scope of practice, in plain English- what are the restrictions? Where I am from LPNs can do just about everythign an RN can do- with the expection of hang blood and pushing IV meds. We have to get IV certified. They do hire LPNs in hospitals in the major city which is about 15 minutes away, but in my city, its LTC and Dr.s offices and also Home care. Is that the same down in Florida. I am looking to move to Ft. Lauderdale. And the next set of questions is the pay. In those same ads I see the wage as $11-$17(MAX!!!). I know the cost of living is totally different so it leaves me wondering, are you able to live comfortably on that? I am a single mom and can support myself just fine and I dont want to move down and not be able to live at the same level I am now. I am a new grad and make in the mid 20's an hour. I just dont understand the salary being half of what I make now and being able to live on that...but like I said I know there is a difference in the cost of living- so hopefully you all will be able to help me out. And my last question is, how is the job market down there? It was difficult for me to find a job, and I finally did find one, but I dont want to move down and be unemployed for months on end. I am open to any field of nursing as I can find joy in anything I do, but it does need to be full tim and offer benefits. If anyone could help me and let me know their experiences, I would greatly appreciate it!

I am a LPN, the majority of all hospitals have a skeleton lpn staff. Some of the ones that stayed in the hospital are being utilized as cna's. In my hospital they were humbled, and fearful of speaking up for fear of loosing there job. I am starting my own LPN consulting job just to keep money coming in. The salary varies from $15-$22, but all employers know there are many of us out of work, so they of course are giving the lower end of that. I believe LPN's would be great on teaching diet, medication adminsitration and disease process. So that is why I am creating my own jobs, for the people that can t afford $70./ hr. $22/hr is an example of what I would charge. Etc.....

GoosbyLPN · Feb 19, 2013

I am a LPN, the majority of all hospitals have a skeleton lpn staff. Some of the ones that stayed in the hospital are being utilized as cna's. In my hospital they were humbled, and fearful of speaking up for fear of loosing there job. I am starting my own LPN consulting job just to keep money coming in. The salary varies from $15-$22, but all employers know there are many of us out of work, so they of course are giving the lower end of that. I believe LPN's would be great on teaching diet, medication adminsitration and disease process. So that is why I am creating my own jobs, for the people that can t afford $70./ hr. $22/hr is an example of what I would charge. Etc.....

so yo help LPN find a job? Im looking to move into the Fort LAuderdale/Miami area Im a new nurse. I wold love for someone to help me find a job. Can u inbox me more info

heegagee · May 2, 2013

It is brutal for LPN's in FL, I have a job for HHC they give me one two at most patients, I have 10 years of telemetry experience in a hospital and I just applied for welfare. We are view the same as you, Nursing is a great field however go get your BS. I had a recruiter call me from NY and GA, but family responsibilities keep me here. "Oh, I also lost my identity filing out online apps. I am normally very positive, However I do not feel market in south FL is promising for us.

NEWLpnNeedAjobinFL · Apr 24, 2014

Wow....you are definitely thinking and acting outside of the box. I don't know how it is anywhere else but Florida seems tough on new LPNs in terms of work. I am constantly being told "You need experience! Come back after 1-2years of experience." Heegagee do you have any suggestion for me? How can I hear more about you inovation of creating your own jobs? Any suggestions will be appreciated.