ny to fla!!

Simply Complicated · Aug 13, 2011

I was in Central Fl, so I can't say much for the area you will be moving to. But Fl nurses make a fair amount less than quite a few other states, including NY. It's also not a Union state. As I said, I can not speak for other areas. Hospitals can vary so much, as long as your management style. So it's hard to really say how nursing in the state itself will be though. Good luck to you!

gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN · Aug 13, 2011

Big difference from NY to FL. Specifically in pay and conditions.

MBrnbsnmha/ed · Aug 13, 2011

I live in FL pretty its the bottom of the barrel for everything right now. Alot of economic hardships, hospitals do not have unions, recycle nurses because we are easily replaceable, and the pay will be much lower than NY. Try to accept a travel assignment in that area and get a good safety cushion before going staff.

diva rn, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2011

Right, be prepared for a big shock. I am not sure about Largo. In Palm Beach County the jobs for RNs are very, very tight. Are you still a LPN? The hospitals here have all but phased out lpns and do not hire them anymore. LTC is where most of the lpns work and some Dr offices.

THe pay here is SO much less than NY...if you are an RN, try to get a travel assignment, that was a good idea..keeping in mind that the pay for travel agencies is also much higher than staff...but seriously FLorida is notorious for having very low pay and NO unions...also a "right to work" state or "work at will" state...means you can quit or they can fire you for no particular cause...(that's a very simplistic definition)

*****Sorry..I just reread your post. You are an RN..the main thing that would be held against you for a hospital job is your lack of experience. With jobs so competitive right now, you will be in contention with applicants who have lots of acute care experience. The new grads are just not getting hired in my area...I know some who graduated in Dec of 2010 and still looking.

I am not sure of how many facilities there are in Largo, either. You better look into that as well. I understand it's very nice there but quiet.

I know Miami-Dade area has NO jobs right now...everyone's complaining.

You may have to try Home health for awhile to break in to the market...with the elderly population, there should be opportunity for that.

Good luck.

Simply Complicated · Aug 14, 2011

I live in FL pretty its the bottom of the barrel for everything right now. Alot of economic hardships, hospitals do not have unions, recycle nurses because we are easily replaceable, and the pay will be much lower than NY. Try to accept a travel assignment in that area and get a good safety cushion before going staff.

That was kind of my thought, but I didn't want to be the first to say it out loud, as I only knew Central Fl. I moved from there to NY. We debated on moving back, and will not. Nursing being a big reason, because I don't think I could handle it. After 2 years of travel nursing, and 2 years in NY.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2011

I don't know about finding a job in Florida right now, but there are good things to consider: you will get to wear flip-flops year round, no snow, lots of warm sunshine. Fresh citrus. Proximity to water, and I mean water that is actually warm enough to enjoy. I lived in Florida and loved it. I have not lived in New York, but I do remember the weather was always dismal, when traveling there. Whatever you end up doing, don't burn bridges. You never know when you might end up going back.

ccaiazza · Aug 14, 2011

thanks for the feedback even though i was hoping itd be a little more positive but ya never know i spose rite! i think in any state nurses are in abundance more than they ever have been so it is definitely a lot tougher to get a job you love. is the pay that much worse though? i mean RN's make 22 and up in ny is that a far stretch from fla? ive heard so many mixed reviewsjust gonna hafta play it by ear...and simply complicated yu said you went back to ny or did you stay in fla?

diva rn, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2011

thanks for the feedback even though i was hoping itd be a little more positive but ya never know i spose rite! i think in any state nurses are in abundance more than they ever have been so it is definitely a lot tougher to get a job you love. is the pay that much worse though? i mean RN's make 22 and up in ny is that a far stretch from fla? ive heard so many mixed reviewsjust gonna hafta play it by ear...and simply complicated yu said you went back to ny or did you stay in fla?

Whoa, where in NY are you?? Must be upstate somewhere???

$22 should be ok...I am used to hearing huge salaries quoted for NY....like $40-50..for NY.

Just very competitive market.

Simply Complicated · Aug 14, 2011

thanks for the feedback even though i was hoping itd be a little more positive but ya never know i spose rite! i think in any state nurses are in abundance more than they ever have been so it is definitely a lot tougher to get a job you love. is the pay that much worse though? i mean RN's make 22 and up in ny is that a far stretch from fla? ive heard so many mixed reviewsjust gonna hafta play it by ear...and simply complicated yu said you went back to ny or did you stay in fla?

I actually went to nursing school in FL, and started out nursing there. Then I travelled for 2 years. Went back for 1 year while pregnant and then moved to NY. I'm still in NY right now. We debated on moving back to FL, but decided against it.

If you are used to making in the low to mid 20's, then Fl should not be any different for you. That is about what they make there.

ccaiazza · Aug 14, 2011

ya upstate well thanks again and ill keep on truckin!~C