Positive exp. with FL nursing board and FL salaries

I have read many negative posts re: how long it takes to get a FL license by endorsement and how bad the salaries are in FL, which had me kind of worried, but my experience has actually been a positive one!

I sent in my application for endorsement on March 2nd. It says on the application that within 30 days, they will send you a letter with temporary licensure or a letter saying what they still need to process your app. I received a letter dated March 29th giving me temporary licesure for 60 days. Today I received a letter saying my permanent license has been approved and I will receive it within 2-4 weeks, although my perm status is available online.

Regarding salaries...I graduated with my BSN in Aug. 2003, and have worked in a level 3 NICU in Kansas City, Missouri since that time. Grad nurses make $19/hr at my hospital, which is one of the higher paying, but not top paying in the city. I applied to 2 Ft. Lauderdale area hospitals in Feb. and flew out to interview last month. One offered me a position but HR quoted me ~$18/hr last month saying that I am still at grad level pay and not really caring that I'm already making more than that and work at a hospital that is part of their hospital system! The other hospital unofficially offered me a position this week (pending background checks) and their HR had quoted me ~$23+/hr. This hospital gives me credit for having a BSN (I also have a Bachelor's in Biology and 3+yrs health care related exp, and am halfway through an MSN program, although I don't think that plays a part) and also takes into experience in 6 mos. increments. This also includes a $1/hr crit. care diff. I also found out that their PRN rate is $27/hr or $28 for crit. care areas. Fortunately, the position at the higher paying unit is the one I am most interested in and will most likely be accepting. My hiring mgr. is also looking to the possibility of relocation money since they do not offer sign-on bonuses.

I will post an update when I receive a final salary offer. Just wanted to post an experience that has been a positive one!

I've just had a very similar experience with the Fla Board - received my license in about a month. I think that's pretty good.

Gail

I've just had a very similar experience with the Fla Board - received my license in about a month. I think that's pretty good.

Gail

I too am in FL. I had no problem getting my license. I live in an area that is on the west coast of FL. I like home health but find few management positions open. The salary for home health was fine but not in nursing homes. Also watch for homes that hire for survey only and let a nurse go regardless of performance.

I am interested in keeping up on skills and enjoying semi-retirement. Anyone out there with good ideas on just how to do this?

Awareness and living in the Now are on my mind.

Chuckie4424

Didnt take long to get my license either, about 5 weeks, the holdiay was in there so may played a part. I really think alot depends on how long it takes for them to get your fingerprints checked by the FBI, I know a couple years ago in NM it took an excessive amount of time to get the prints back and they didnt do temps at that time. Also now that the FBI has you prints on file it prob will go quicker if you move agian and have to do the same thing.

Rj:cool:

I also had a good experience w/ the FL Board of Nursing. I received my permanent license in about 1 month.

My experience was positive as well. Good luck to you!

Hello, I just applied for licensure by endorsement on Dec 15th, 2004. Today is Dec 26th and as of today I haven't heard anything but considering the holidays are here and with the new graduate rush, I think I will hear something by Jan 15th, although I am hoping sooner. I just relocated to Jacksonville, Florida this month and the cost of moving involved so many hidden cost ( its unreal all the deposits I had to pay to utility companies) and I am running out of cash fast....I will be needing to be working by the end of January. I am praying that I have my license or temp work permit by then. Towanna

Well, a big reason why this happening is because of the desparate need for nurses. I live on the West Coast where there are quite a few hospitals, but the nursing schools aren't able to keep up with the need for nurses. The reason for that is that there isn't enough faculty to accept more students. I look at the help wanteds in two of the hospitals I will look at working in and both always have openings for RN. It's good for the job seekers but not for the patients or the nurses that are worked stretched like mad.

Unfortunately, this is only going to continue because our population has been growing like mad. If I'm accepted into the community college for nursing, I'll do it here, otherwise, I'm planning on moving back up to NY to go for a BSN and then onto a MSN.

OP, good luck in your new position. Florida is glad to have another nurse.

Kris

I recieved a postcard with confirmation that they have recieved my application and to give them 30 days to process it before I called with any questions. I mailed my application from Indiana on DEC 15th and I recieved my postcard with the post mark on DEC 22nd. I guess I will begin my 30 day count down from the 22nd of Dec. I was excited to recieve some type of notice. I hope I too recieve a temp work permit before the entire 30 days are up...I am hopeing within the next couple of weeks...I am praying...... Towanna

Hey everyone....I just want to say that I have recieved my Temporary Florida License in the mail today 1-6-05. I mailed my application from Indiana on 12-15-04. I am happy to say that I have had a positive experience as well. I am now in full pursuit of my first nursing job in Florida. I have applied to several different types of places but my real concern is that I need some very good medical benefits and a decent wage. Does anyone know of a good place to work that offers good medical benefits and decent wage? I would really appreciate to hear from someone. Thanks in Advance

TowannaG RN

well as of today I still haven't heard a word on my permanent nursing license but as stated earlier I recieved my temporary on 1-6-05.

TowannaG you might want to give it an extra week. What slows/holds up the process of getting your permenent license is the FBI fingerprint check. You stated in a earlier post you mailed things on the 15 of Dec. Need to remember now that there has been 3 federal holidays as of yesterday and that the beaurocasy slow painfully around said holidays.

One other thing though- you obviously have internet access so check here for your license status--- http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/irm00praes/praslist.asp

Rj:)

well as of today I still haven't heard a word on my permanent nursing license but as stated earlier I recieved my temporary on 1-6-05.