markas214

There are jobs if you are experienced. You can even get a little relocation money. Try Banner.

Actually it is a minority. Most of us play by the rules. Back on topic. Check the hospital websites some new grad positions have been posted this week. There are still plenty of jobs for the experienced and the new grads who are aggressive.

What is scary is that from the market crash of 1929 until the end of WWII in 1945 was 16 years. 16 years of tough living. No matter how bad things get remember that. We are so much better off today.

Bush filled career positions at the agencies that oversee the financial industry such as the SEC and US Department of Justice with political ideologues just like "you're doin' a heck of a job Brownie" at FEMA. There was a terrible law signed in '99 that repealed restrictions on banking that set the derivatives market into a money grabbing free for all but Bush was in charge since then. He and his administration bear a great deal of responsibility for the unbound greed of the housing bubble, CDO/CDS (derivatives markets) frenzy.

I left a message for a recruiter at a large hospital on Wednesday and received a return call and an email on Friday. I have a lot of experience, graduated in '95. There will always be hiring when needs cannot be met internally. The thing is you need to fit that need. If you have enough experience to begin working with virtually no orientation you are really no different in cost than a current employee. I can basically go right to work and give a return on my time even if the compensation is higher than a newer nurse. There are positions for ICU, ED, OR, BH, cardiac cath, etc. and even med/surg if you have strong clinical experience. For new nurses, get into a SNF, LTC, rehab or whatever you can to start building a resume. Better to have some nursing experience than nothing.

RN but hospital jobs are scarce. I swore I was done with ER due to the pace and my nearing 50 but I may have no choice. The jobs advertised may have been paid for a few months ago and that's why the ads still run but I've contacted the recruiters I've been working with and things are tight. I wonder if there are still a lot of foreign nurses working on visas. If so my opinion is that they should be first to be let go and citizens given the jobs. They were brought to cover shortages and if there's no longer a shortage the reason for their obtaining a visa is no longer valid. Too many new nurses that can't get jobs to allow foreign workers who send much of their pay out of the country.

I'm relocating to Phoenix in the spring and it seems that all the jobs that were being offered at hospitals are not going to be available any time soon. I have nearly 14 years acute care experience, MS, ED, tele, shift supervisor,mentoring etc. and have done some moon lighting at nursing homes. My questions, what are the names of some that are hiring, what can I expect as far as pay, any other info? Location is flexible as we plan to rent for a few months and I really just need some income and benefits. Also are there any hospitals still hiring experienced nurses. I would do ICU or PACU in addition to the others listed but would need a few months orienting.

Whatever.

I'm missing the point? Why because I question your absolute judgement? You definitely have a lot to learn. Number one, you're not always right. Number two, stop being so condescending to those who disagree with you or offer a differing opinion. Number three, ... oh never mind. I've been around long enough to know when a case is hopeless. No offense.

Perhaps they have lower entry standards? It may say less about the quality of the educators than that of the students. Just sayin'.

That experienced nurse can generate 10s of thousands of dollars during the time the orientee is being trained. In tough times near term profit wins over long term investment.

That hurts me. I was counting on $5000 from Banner or up to $12000 from Abrazo to pay my moving expenses. Anyone have insight there?

Well then another thing...:wink2: Look where the budget deficit will hurt most in Az. The cuts will come mostly from education and health-care. It's obvious what that will do for nurses. Not a happy time. As I said the current situation with a lack of positions has little to do with too many nurses. It will get beter but it could take years.

There is a patient shortage. It's as if everyone suddenly is cured. The problem is national. In eastern Pa we are not hiring and our census is much lower than it has been in the past few years. California is the same. all my OT is gone. PTO is used up and hours are cut due being cancelled. The only hope for a quick turn around is if President Obama moves on health-care immediately. The Republicans will do everything they can to obstruct this. Not to make this a political rant but an absolute statement of fact. Watch Senator Kyle. He will push hard to extend tax cuts for the top 1% and do all he can to prevent the bottom 20% from having health care coverage. Become involved nurses. Hold your representatives feet to the fire. If this becomes a full blow depression a good 75% of Americans will be without insurance and only the sickest will seek care. How many hospitals will close and nurses and other health care workers end up unemployed? I apologise for the political nature of this reply but this is where we are as a nation. We are all the victims of years of no oversight of the financial system and are now on the verge of catastrophe. I have over 14 years experience and worked ER for a number of years and thought I'd never go back due to the stress but that may be my saving grace when my family moves in June. New grads, take whatever you can get. When i started it was a lull in hiring and I ended up in LTC with geriatric psych and Alzheimer's patients. Not my first choice by far but I got experience and money to pay the Bills. Oh and one more thing. Arizona has absolutely horrendous unemployment compensation. $250/week. Try living on that after earning near six figures for the past several years.

Check the margins on the "for profit" hospitals. Thay are doing pretty good. The CEOs make tens of millions off of those medicare reimbursments. Don't be fooled by propaganda. There are many areas in the USA that have a majority of Medicare patients that pay 30-40% better than Florida. Also check out the per capita wealth of areas like Naples. There is a lot of money there. I've had family in Florida for over 35 years and have been there many times. I am not trying to dump on the state or the nurses. The "myriad of conditions" you refer to are multiplied many times over again in places like the South Bronx, areas of Boston, LA, DC, etc. Still, the hospitals manage to stay profitable and pay a good wage. Of course they don't pay bonuses in sunshine so I guess they can afford to pay a nurse with more money. I've found money is a lot easier to spend than sunshine. There is a big difference between "getting it together" and get together which is what I said. I still believe that it would be of benefit for Florida nurses to try and stand together and fight for equitable compensation.

Personally I believe I'm worth way more than $30/hr. I won't work for crap wages so the corporate fat cats can reap all the rewards of my expertise and experience. You Florida nurses really need to get together aand form some type of association. The cost of living has gone from extremely affordable to just getting by. It's a shame as I really like Florida beaches and being a boat owner. I'd be scraping to pay my bills if I could even afford a nice boat. I prefer to live a little better than that. I'll continue to keep an eye on Florida but i'm weighing other options. I'm typing this from Phoenix right now. I may just take a job here. $45/hr nights with double time after 36 hours. New homes cheaper than Fl. 3400 sq feet for around $300k with 3000/yr prop taxes. Low home owners insurance. Hot, hot, hot in the summer but it's a dry heat .

I'm looking into moving with my family to this area. Can anyone give me a ballpark for salary? I have 13 years experience including two or more years in the following, med/surg, cardiac tele, ortho, ER, and many years as charge nurse in these departments. I plan on working 12 hour nights and would do all weekends if there is a weekend program that pays a premium. I need full benefits also. What are the co-pays for medical, dental and vision for a family? So what can I expect to make an hour doing nights with my experience? I was planning on asking for a base of at leat $30. I could live in a little less if the differentials are high enough. Please help. If you aren't comfortable posting wages publicly could you PM me?

Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming. I am aware of insurance and tax issues. I have equity in my house and down money. I can afford the insurance and taxes but see that home prices still need to come down some more. I have done extensive research regarding the Florida housing boom and now the current bust. My main concern remains income. If I can pull in 60k a year with base and differential working 12 hour shifts I'll be OK. I figure I can add another 10 with OT and my wife can make 10-12 part-time. I've seen homes that are bank owned or short sales that are listed for under 150k. I'm anticipating 2500 for insurance and 2500-3600 taxes. I've got no credit card debt and don't mind driving a used car. I just want a small used boat and to fish and hang out at the beach. I actually have a friend who lives in Melbourne. She finished nursing school two years ago but I lost her number. I could handle 34. I wish I could contact her.

How about Largo or Clearwater? We've been to Clearwater Beach several times and love it there. I don't want to spend a fortune on a house and would like to stay below 200k.

I've been in Florida many times to visit and now that housing is coming back to earth I am considering the move. First my experience as a nurse. I have over 13 years experience including LTC, Emergency, Charge Nurse and Med/Sur and Tele. I have my ACLS. Currently I am on an observation unit also called decision unit where we get the ER patients to monitor pending discharge in 24 hours or admission. It is a Magnet facility with all computer charting including bar-coded meds. Basically I can hit the floor running anywhere I go. I have a family with three small children 2-7 years old. I've been a boat owner and that is something I look forward to again. My kids love to fish and boat. My girl is into cheer leading and the boys will be ready for football, soccer and baseball this year. My wife loves to shop. Luckily she also enjoys having a job. She is a CNA, completed a medical assistant program 15 years ago and is currently working as a unit secretary. Knowing how slow this forum can be my first question is for links to other forums for Florida nurses. I use City-Data and GreatSchools.net but getting specific info on hospitals is difficult. My next question is regarding salary. I currently earn $41/hr doing weekend nights. My base for weekdays is $30. Basically I would need to make at least $32/hr including differentials to live comfortably. From what I've been reading that should be possible. Now location. I have family in Venice. Englewood looks really good for us. It is near the beach and family. The schools are good. Does anyone have info about Englewood Hospital? Venice Regional? Charlotte Memorial? Fawcett Memorial? I'm interested in how they treat their nurses, patient loads, benefits and salary. Now another consideration is the east coast. Specifically Port St Lucie, Vero Beach and Fort Pierce? What can you tell me about hospitals in that area and what the benefits, working conditions and salaries are. Finally a question on health benefits. Do hospitals in Florida pay everything or is there always an employee co-pay?

I live in eastern Pa. and a regional nursing publication has an ad from a headhunter for a Phoenix area hosptial that pays $38.75 an hour, top rate, includes benefits, 15% differential for 7PM-730AM and double time for OT. They are also advertising a $7500 relocation package. We have family in the Phoenix area and will be moving there in June '08. Does anyone know which hospital they are advertising for? Basically I need to maintain my current rate, $41.00/hr. I have 13 years of experience and have worked in most hospital settings. We're flying down in January to visit and I'd like to set up some interviews. Any help, either a response to this thread or PM's would be greatly appreciated. One more question. My wife has a certificate as a medical assistant, is a CNA and has worked a few years as a unit secretary. 15+ years experience. What would you estimate her salary range to be in the Phoenix area?

That's scary!

Most Drs do not mean to be personally insulting. It was actually pretty cool that the other nurse told the doc and he spoke with you. Don't take things so hard next time. Yes, there will be a next time. We all have bad days and often we blow off steam in the wrong direction. Of course there actually are rude and obnoxious drs too. Those are the ones who's comments you really need to ignore.

Report what? That she has a "feeling" the woman is being abused. I like the way so many here are assuming that this is an abusive situation without first hand knowledge. Wait for your supervisor's return and discuss it then. If you go out on your own when the policy is using the chain of command you may end up fired. Especially if the patient subsequently sues you for defamation because while her husband is an obnoxious jerk she does not feel abused.

True. Slaves had jobs plus room and board. Should they have been thankful too? In an era of record corporate profits and CEO compensation the typical American workers continue to be forced to lower their compensation. Fortunately they can't outsource patient care. Contact the CNA and get a 20% increase or force the hospital out of operation. There are plenty of jobs out there for nurses. You don't need to take be treated like this.