Nursing in East Central Florida

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone,

My wife and I are considering a move to Melbourne, FL area. We each have several years RN experience in med-surg in NYC. We hear mixed reviews regarding the nursing environment in Florida (mostly negative unfortunately). I hear people complain about patient/staff ratios and the pay. I also know people working in Orlando making close to $30 hourly, which doesn't sound too bad considering no state tax. I appreciate any experience you have, especially regarding the space coast region. Thanks!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

My daughter recently moved to Florida and feels that there are other Florida fees/taxes that amply offset the no-state-taxes benefit. License plates/renewals, for example, are fairly expensive.

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My daughter recently moved to Florida and feels that there are other Florida fees/taxes that amply offset the no-state-taxes benefit. License plates/renewals, for example, are fairly expensive.

Yes, I don't understand why people always make a big deal about not having a state income tax in some states. Every state has costs associated with running the state and needs income to cover those expenses. States that don't have a state income tax just get money from the residents in other ways (other kinds of taxes and fees). State income taxes are typically progressive and more fair, while sales taxes and other taxes and fees are not and tend to burden lower income residents more heavily.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
States that don't have a state income tax just get money from the residents in other ways (other kinds of taxes and fees).
I concur. I am in Texas, and although there is no state income tax here, the property taxes and sales tax rates are some of the highest in the country.

Therefore, it is truly a wash. Even without state income tax, the state is filling its coffers in other ways.

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States that don't have a state income tax just get money from the residents in other ways (other kinds of taxes and fees).

That's true, BUT, in Florida, we have hotel taxes which bring in billions of dollars that most residents of the state don't pay. Plus, the OP is coming from NYC where EVERYTHING is taxed, and at a high amount.

OP, I've never worked in East Florida, but $30 is a good solid living wage in this state. With each of you making that much, you'll be able to afford a nice house in a good area, newer cars, etc. The only thing I don't like about Melbourne, is that area is HEAVILY tied to aerospace and as contracts come and go, so do the residents, jobs, money, etc. Nursing should be pretty well insulated from that, but it may be something to consider.

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Thanks for the comments people! Dave, we definitely pay a lot of taxes in NYC and I am confident it won't be as bad almost any place we decide to move. I've been reading all the Florida nursing horror stories on this site with some confusion. On my med-surg floor 6-8 patients is the norm and usually the CNAs are assigned 12-16 patients. I am not familiar with the extent of work nurses do in Florida but we don't do blood draws and only insert foleys.

My big concern is the lack of unions. I never negotiated my salary and we get plenty time off (5 weeks vacation, 8 holidays, and 2 personal days). Many people have posted central Florida wages of low $20's for new grads and mid to upper $20's for more experienced nurses.

What are your experiences with working conditions and wages?

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