Relocating to Florida

FLOBRN · Mar 26, 2004

Thanks for the reply Cheryl. I'm in the midwest where housing is expensive. I did not get an offer for any jobs yet. The $35/hr is what I make now.
I've been looking in the Orlando area via internet for anything I can find on the housing, jobs, hospitals etc. As I said, I have 19yrs experience in L&D. also antepartum. By the time I do make the move it would be 20+. I really can't afford to take more than a 5$/hr cut and I don't want to work nights.Have you heard of anyone making 32-33/hr base with the years that I have?

Hi Sepia

Well I personally have no knowledge of anyone making that much here but it doesnt mean it doesnt happen. I would check out Florida hospital in Orlando, they are the big leval 3 in the area and have over 2,000 beds and employ over 3,000 nurses. The web site is just http://www.flhosp.org. They are run by Adventist healthcare and are supposed to be a great place. Too far a commute for me . You may not know this is a "right to work" state and while some hospitals are "organized" the rest work very hard to keep the unions out.

Another option of course would be to take a travel contract. They make more $$ and provide housing.

If you have school age children, the school year here begins in August. Never figured that out -why start in the hottest part of the year- but it ends in May.

Hmmm a quick look at FL Hosp shows 284 openings for nurses, they should have something there....ok I see a couple of positions at Celebration hospital for L&D I think they are now a leval II. Celebration hosp is located in Celebration development ( was origionally organized by Disney as ideal type community but they are getting ready to pull out I hear). Here is one at the main hospital job #26775 its a full time day positon 7a-7p hehe Here you go....

Posting Date: 03-19-04

Posting End Date: 12-19-04

Company: Florida Hospital / 20

Functional Area: Nursing

Learn more about Nursing @ Florida Hospital

Location: Florida Hospital Orlando | 01

Department: LABOR & DELIVERY / 6700

Position Status: FT - Full Time

Working Hours: 72

Job Summary:

The Labor and Delivery nurse is a registered professional nurse who develops expertise in observational and assessment skills required in caring for antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum adult and adolescent patients. Through utilizing the nursing process is responsible for collaborating with physicians in providing quality, safety, and appropriateness of patient care. Utilizes knowledge of current trends and practices in the nursing profession. Must be able to perform all essential nursing functions including, but not limited to, the following: able to walk and stand most of work day. Able to sit, reach, turn, twist, bend, crawl, climb, balance, run, jump, crouch/stoop, kneel. Able to lift and carry, push, pull and handle all reasonable and customary objects at the level required to meet the demands of the job. Has bilateral manual dexterity of fingering, pinching, grasping/ holding, feeling, writing. Has senses of seeing (with accurate color vision, good field of vision and depth perception, and good visual accommodation), hearing, touching and smelling. Communicates effectively through use of talking and listening. Can function effectively in confined spaces. Maintains mental and emotional stability. Follows the OSHA/Florida Hospital Infection Control Bloodborne Pathogen Rule for BSI of not handling blood or body substances without personal protective equipment. Follows this rule for waste disposal for both biohazardous and non-biohazardous waste. Utilizes equipment needed in patient care appropriately. Keeps a safe environment by adhering to the policies outlined in the Hazard Communication Program for toxic/irritating substances.

Department Specific Criteria:

Experienced L&D RN; FT 7a-7p

Skills Required: Community Health, Current Clinical Experience Skills Preferred:

Majors Required: Nursing Majors Preferred:

Degrees Required: Associates Degree Degrees Preferred:

Certifications/Licensures Required: Registered Nurse - FL Certifications/Licensures Preferred:

Required Years of Relevant Experience: 1

At any rate there are some options for you. If you want to persue the travel option go to Delphiforums.com, get a free account and then go to the travel nurse and therapists board. You will be able to find out from people there who is and is not a good company.

Hope this helps a bit.

Cheryll

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2004

Just to clarify something.

In most cases, travelers generally don't get paid that much better than regular staff, and there is generally not much extra pay for years of experience, just better opportunity to get positions. Now, for a resident getting a position, where one can take the housing stipend, the stipend makes it more worthwhile.

BIG HOWEVER:

Many hospitals in Florida refuse to take a traveler that legally resides within a hundred mile radius of it. For Profits like Columbia/HCA, are notorious for that policy.

lever5 · Mar 26, 2004

Florida Hosp have a large system with 7 or 8 different hosps. I have been here, working in Winter Park Hosp for the last 3 months, I believe you may start a little lower, but these people are not hurting for money. go to myflorida.com, you can download all of the information about the license, you need fingerprint cards, it can take a long time. If you have the money they will give you a license. Sometimes it just seems like a money making proposition. Good luck.