Nurse Pract. in Florida 2015

[jwalla20]

Hi,

I am looking to relocate to the Florida area (haven't decided on a particular city), but I was wondering how it is to work as a FNP in Florida. I was reading some previous threads and it Fl. doesn't seem to be the ideal place to work as a FNP. I am currently in Ga and we also have a lot of restrictions, however Fl is worse with NO controlled substances.

We are looking at the Tampa or Jacksonville area. Is it best to work at a clinic through the hospital??? I am just trying to see if this move would be worth it.

I currently have 6 months experience...but will have 2 years when I move next year. I am learning a lot now...being in a rural clinic.

Does anyone know the range in salary for FNP???

Thanks in advance!!! Any advice, tips...will be appreciated

[jwalla20]

Hi, I haven't moved yet. I do not plan on moving until August 2016. I got my Fl license a couple months ago. I have been talking with some people who work at TFHC...I reached out to them on linkedin. I will send you a private message

[Goldenfox]

Florida is not an NP-friendly state, and its not only because you can't write scripts even for cough syrup. Its many things. And the biggest thing of them all is the lack of respect. NPs in Florida are not treated like professional clinicians, more like an extra pair of hands to help the doctors and the hospitals make more money. Jobs are not easy to get so many NPs tend to stay where they are, at least until they get a lot of experience, and then people start moving around a lot to better opportunities, lighter work loads and better pay. The physicians and the hospitals know this so they love to include early separation penalties in their contracts---usually a large amount of money that they know most people cannot afford and or a non-compete clause of some kind. You may get lucky and find a decent employer who will take you as a relatively new grad and pay you a decent salar, but most of them are vampires. The norm is most will want at least a year or more of experience, and many of them are now requiring that you also speak Spanish. They will expect a lot out of you (high daily patient throughput) and they typically offer low pay, in some cases lower than you can earn as an RN. I've seen NP pay as low as the $60Ks in Florida. In fact, there is a position right now in Fort Lauderdale with the Department of Health that is paying in the low 60s, and what's sad is that somebody will take it.

There aren't many NP jobs in Florida, and there are a LOT of schools constantly pumping out new grads there. In the tri-county part of southeast Florida where I come from there are currently 8 NP schools (excluding the online ones---Florida International University, the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University, Barry University, Florida Atlantic University, South University, Palm Beach Atlantic, and the University of Phoenix has a brick and mortar campus there too). A lot of the graduates from these schools are having trouble finding jobs. The job market is bit better in the Tampa/Orlando areas.

Florida in general is not an easy place to start an NP career now. It wasn't too bad even several years ago before there were all these NP schools. Now there are too many grads and nowhere near enough jobs so the employers take their time and they pick and choose because they know that they can get people whowill do a lot of hard work for cheap. Not exactly sugar, but I think that your chances of success are better when you know exactly what you'll be facing there.

[jwalla20]

Hi... I sent a few private messages that might help u out. Will be looking for your reply. :)

[M1567646]

Hi jwalla20,

I'm very curious about that organization as well. I've been looking over the contract and I have some major concerns. Any chance we could chat as well? I'm new to the area and I'm not getting a lot of honest info on the place...was hoping you could help?? :) I would appreciate it!

[doodledome]

I went through contract with fine tooth comb. I choose not to take it only because some major concern over pay, hours and most of all if you hate your job you are stuck there for 2 years or get a 104 fine.

[Tarshapitt]

@doodledome can you please give me some information on Tampa Health? Thanks so much

[jwalla20]

@tarshapitt --- Are you looking at applying??? I got a lot of mixed reviews from people who worked there or who have worked there.

[Tarshapitt]

@jwalla20 yes, I am! What have you heard?

[Tarshapitt]

@jwalla20 thanks for the information

[jwalla20]

Your welcome. Hope it helps. I haven't worked there...just trying to get info from others

[BlessedFNP]

I am in the Tampa area as well. I'm looking very closely at Tampa Family Health Centers. Could anyone share what you know? The contract is definitely scary but there is the possibility of loan repayment which is very important to me. Help!! Thanks in advance.

[Agriffin2]

I could use some help too! Graduated 2015 in Tampa and still no job. I'm curious about Tampa family health centers too. The contract made me nervous! Any advice on that or other spots in Tampa?