Relocating to Florida....

CP2013 · Mar 20, 2013

Depends on the area you plan to move to. Major cities want BSN educated nurses. Smaller rural towns are still welcoming ADN nurses.

The base pay in FL is about $21/hr for new grads, in most of the central Florida area.

Competition can be tough, even BSN nurses are having to wait 4-6 months for a job to open up.

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eroswell · Mar 21, 2013

Thanks!!! I'm not thinking any major cities but I am looking at Sarasota/Bradenton/st. Pete/Madeira beach areas? And I plan on enrolling into a BSN program within a year after I graduate :)

CP2013 · Mar 21, 2013

From what I hear, since the major cities are getting so populated, other cities (St Pete, Ft Myers, Sarasota, Bradenton, etc) are getting the ASN grads.

Not impossible to be employed, but it will take work. Be ready to compete with people who have had the time to network at these facilities.

It would be best to get 1-3 years of experience if possible. I have 2 yrs of tech experience in Florida but because it wasn't at "that" hospital, it means nothing to them it seems, so be aware of that. If you are open to any job, long term care will be a good place to start. May not always be a good route if a hospital setting is your dream setting.

For new grads, it seems that Florida is experiencing similar conditions to California.

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nursemom123 · Apr 7, 2013

I live in Orlando but we're moving to Sarasota this summer. Do you mind if we share ideas? I am an LPN for 12 years, graduating in 3 weeks with my ASN, so we're in pretty similar situations.

I am a little worried about moving there in the summer, as it's "low season" at that time, so I'm not sure how low their census gets. You may want to try some PRN positions with Tidewell Hospice or some of the home health companies. Good luck!

eroswell · Apr 8, 2013

Yes!!! Lets try to brainstorm :) my only plan at this point since I'm not there to network is to saturate everyplace that I can with resumes. I wouldn't mind hospice but that takes away from gaining experience in my point. I heard from an RN that I work with that just came from st. Pete that LTAC are like an ICU for long term. That might not be a bad way to go. Still gain the experience with the skills needed and the pay is pretty ok too!!!!

nursemom123 · Apr 16, 2013

Great! I am looking at hospitals, LTACs, hospice and home health. I have never worked in a SNF, ratios are too high and I feel it puts my license at risk. I really need benefits so I am looking for full time only at this point.

I'm waiting until I have my RN in hand before I start sending out any resumes. I don't know of any LTACs on the gulf coast, here in Orlando we have Select Specialty Hospitals and they do amazing work! They have weaned several of my HH patients off vents.

Will your hospital hire you as an RN? If so, you may want to spend one more year getting experience, then apply to a gulf coast facility in the fall, when they are hiring like crazy for season.

I will PM you.

eroswell · Apr 16, 2013

I'm hoping that they will hire me. The position they had for a new grad has been filled do we shall see :) and I will probably stay here for a year or so but I'm just impatient and want to be in the sunshine state like yesterday :) there are a few Select faculties here too but the LTAC that I heard about is Kindred. Have you heard if them before?