??? about Palm Beach county might move

helpinghands, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2005

The pay rate is about same, 19-20 with 2-3 diff. I don't know what the cost of living is in Chicago, but W. Palm is expensive! The average house here now costs $330,000, and your really not getting much for it. Insurance, utilities, food, going out, everything is expensive.

Not sure about the school systems, but I have friends with kids and most are unhappy.

As for hospitals check out HCA and Tenent, they own most of the Hospitals in the county. Bethesda is another in the southern part of the county.

Dan's Sunshine · Sep 27, 2005

I went to school in Palm Beach County, K-12 and some college. I have a 2 year old and one of my goals is to get out of this state before he starts school. The school system in the whole state is horrible in my opinion. Do your research and if you do move here look for a good private school.

Good luck,

Brandy

bsm03d · Sep 28, 2005

Hi. I was born, raised and currently live in palm beach county. i currently live in west palm beach near wellington. i reallly love the area but like everyone has said.. its become extremely expensive. 300-400,000 for an average sized home. but pay rates arent any higher than most areas.. maybe 18/hr. i will most likely be moving when i finish nursing school in a year. in school we do clinicals at JFK hospital its near the lake worth/atlantis area. i love it. they were voted one of the 100 best hospitals a few years ago and are good to their employees from what i hear. most nurses ive talked to like it there and there is a really friendly atmosphere and they treat us nursing students wonderfully. if i stay in town after graduation it will definately be the hospital i choose. you should check out their website.

like everyone else said schools arent that great- crowded and test scores tend to be some of the lowest in the country. jfk does offer though a charter school for its employees. i beleive that you still pay for it - but its less expensive than private school and just down the street from the hospital. many of the nurses i work with use it (im thinking its mostly for younger- preschool and elementary students.) but check that out. i havent heard too many good things about bethesda (boynton area.) but i know someone who loves palms west (in the royal palm beach area.) also the wellington/royal palm beach area is very nice (if youre looking for a home) but its also a little more expensive than other areas.

let me know if you have any specific questions i can anwser.

ERDEBIRN · Sep 28, 2005

Hi. I was born, raised and currently live in palm beach county. i currently live in west palm beach near wellington. i reallly love the area but like everyone has said.. its become extremely expensive. 300-400,000 for an average sized home. but pay rates arent any higher than most areas.. maybe 18/hr. i will most likely be moving when i finish nursing school in a year. in school we do clinicals at JFK hospital its near the lake worth/atlantis area. i love it. they were voted one of the 100 best hospitals a few years ago and are good to their employees from what i hear. most nurses ive talked to like it there and there is a really friendly atmosphere and they treat us nursing students wonderfully. if i stay in town after graduation it will definately be the hospital i choose. you should check out their website.
like everyone else said schools arent that great- crowded and test scores tend to be some of the lowest in the country. jfk does offer though a charter school for its employees. i beleive that you still pay for it - but its less expensive than private school and just down the street from the hospital. many of the nurses i work with use it (im thinking its mostly for younger- preschool and elementary students.) but check that out. i havent heard too many good things about bethesda (boynton area.) but i know someone who loves palms west (in the royal palm beach area.) also the wellington/royal palm beach area is very nice (if youre looking for a home) but its also a little more expensive than other areas.
let me know if you have any specific questions i can anwser.

I'M LOOKING TO GO TO ANY CONFERNECES ON TRAUMA/CRITICAL CARE IN JANUARY OF 2006....DOES ANYONE FROM FLORIDA KNOW OF ANY,,,I'M FROM OHIO. MY HUSBAND HAS BUSINESS DOWN THERE IN JAN. AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME CEU'S AT THE SAME TIME......THANKS

pinky1908 · Sep 28, 2005

Thanks everyone for their information. I have alot of thinking to do. Does anyone know of what type of hiring bonus are offered in the area (if any).

Thanks again

helpinghands, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2005

My sign on bonus was 0. As a new grad I had to sign an 18 month commitment, I do have the option of buying out of it though. I figure after about 10 months my PTO will cover it, if I decide to leave early. I have seen some hospitals offering between 2,000-5,000. Usually the bigger the bonus the less desirable the position/unit/hospital.

Another thing to consider about Florida is the hurricanes! When a hurricane is in the area the hospital "owns" you, it's like being in the military. If they say be there you better be there. It doesn't matter what's going on with your family or home. When Katrina went over Florida, many hospitals forced employees to drive to the hospital in 60+ mph winds and no visibility. Many had young children with them! I can't wait till hurricane season is over. I've been here 4 years and been through 3 hurricanes! I'm heading for high ground far away from the ocean.

pinky1908 · Sep 28, 2005

Ok I have no problem staying at the hospital when they need me but to travel in a hurricane and put myself at risk will not help anyone. The first thing they teach you in a CPR class is before you walk up to help anyone is to make sure it is safe to proceed because you can't help anyone if you get hurt yourself :sniff: . Thanks for the info.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2005

Bonuses aren't real big down here. Maybe a couple thousand. Delray has a nice education and sign on package for new grads and is a pretty decent place to work. They are one of two level II trauma centers for the county and they have several ICUs. I have done clinicals in Delray and everyone seems pretty happy. I've done clinical at Bethesda, West Boca Medical Center, Boca Raton Community and now Delray. Delray is up there in my opinion but the area isn't that great.

I've lived in south Florida my whole (long) life and have raised kids in Palm Beach County. I wouldn't do it again. You will not find it a child friendly environment. This is retiree city. The average age of our patients is 75. It's expensive. It's HOT and muggy most of the year. And, we have those nasty hurricanes and have been on the hurricane team for all of the hurricanes. The duty is not voluntary. I don't mind doing it though. I think it's part of being a nurse. Still, I'm outta here myself.

StokoRN · Sep 29, 2005

I grew up in Lake Worth, Palm Beach County, and raised my children there. Several years ago, my wife and I traveled, and when we deceided to settle back in Fl, we made a deliberate decision to avoid south east Fl. The reasons? To crowded, to expensive, to angry.

I have been employed by or worked agency at many area hospitals. The ones I liked best: Good Samaritan in West Palm, Bethesda Memorial in Boynton. Also had good feelings at St Mary's in West Palm.

One thing you might consider , is to take a travel contract to one of the local hospitals. This will provide you with a job, subsidize your housing, and pay you some of your travel expenses. Once there, you can scout out the different hospitals, neighborhoods, etc.

Good luck, and welcome.

nursebetty74 · Oct 1, 2005

I am a new grad in west palm. Hca gave me a $6000 scholarship to pay for school and I now owe them 2 years ( I can buy out at any time , if I choose)

I have to say EVERYONE on the staff has been soooo nice that it has really helped calm my nerves about being a newbie. I picked palms west ( wellington area) b/c it is smaller but growing. My favorite thing is that all the charting is computerized, even the mar and each nurse has her own computer/medcart to use! All of the departments PT,dietary, lab, pharm are all linked on the same system! Maybe just because i'm new but seems like that will make life easier.

Cost of living is high all over florida but south florida does seem to be the worst. Since you seem to have some time before the move check out pre- construction. there is alot of that in palm beach county and I know it allowed us to get far more for our money. Not to mention you have alot of equity from the move in day! Good luck!

pinky1908 · Oct 1, 2005

[since you seem to have some time before the move check out pre- construction.

OK what is pre-construction and since my husband will be back there on Monday where could he go to check it out.