Relocating from MI to FL

Hey Mkcrturner

I 'spose your husband's job was affected by Katrina? Whadda bad break. Hope that the good fortune of getting a job in Sarasota pays off well for him, you, your whole family. I'm located north of Sarasota an hour or two, have been there several times. It's a nice place. Lots of culture there--museums and such. We love the Gulf. Sarasota bay is a terrific place for boating.

Your question about Nursing Schools: University of South Florida (main campus in Tampa) seems to have a satellite campus in Sarasota with a college of nursing. I dunno if its a BSN program only (USF is a 4yr college).

Check their web-site: http://www.sarasota.usf.edu.

St Petersburg College (ab't 1hr north in good traffic) used to be a 2yr college, now expanding to 4yr status. They have a 2yr ADN program that leads neatly to the second two years and results in a BSN if you follow it all the way.

Alas, waiting lists here. Some of the young-uns I meet at work are taking LPN courses at Voc-Ed schools while on RN School waiting lists.

Hope that helps.

Papaw John

My hubby lost his job here in MI and was offered a position in Sarasota. I had just started taking classes at a local community College to become a RN (all the pre req's) and would have started the actual nursing program in Summer of 2006.

I would GREATLY appreicate any info from you all as to which schools are near Sarasota. It is painful to try to Google a nursgin school as I usually only get pages of online schools for LPN to RN

I want to know where the REAL schools are! LOL

Thanks in advance,

Kelly

Sarasota Vo-tech has an excellent LPN program. Manatee Community College has a very good two year RN program. The University of South Florida has a good four year program. Many of the lower division courses can be taken at their Sarasota campus. MCC & USF both share a campus at the lower bottom of the county.

Good luck

Grannynurse

St Petersburg College (ab't 1hr north in good traffic) used to be a 2yr college, now expanding to 4yr status. They have a 2yr ADN program that leads neatly to the second two years and results in a BSN if you follow it all the way.

Alas, waiting lists here. Some of the young-uns I meet at work are taking LPN courses at Voc-Ed schools while on RN School waiting lists.

Hey Papaw,

St. Pete College is now phasing out the waiting list and going to a point system. It's based on 40% for the number of program courses completed and 60% for GPA. (Of course the basic prereq's have to be completed.) The first students entering in this manner will be this coming Januuary. If you are on the waiting list already, they will still honor your given start date but they won't move your date up.

OP, St. Pete College is a hike from Sarasota, especially with the price of gas. Maybe try Manatee Communty College in Bradenton.

I hope you're aware of the cost of housing before you get there. It's skyrocketing!

Thanks for all your advice.

Actually my hubby did not lose his job due to Katrina, although it dealt the same sort of blow...the owner announced on 9/20 that he was closing the business effective 9/30. (GEE thanks for the NOTICE and warning buddy!! LOL)

If i were already a nurse we would not be facing this crisis, I could take on more shifts to tide us over until he found a suitable replacement job, but alas I am a mere SAHM (to 5 year old twins and a 2 year old) taking pre req classes to be a nurse and taking care of my end stage COPD father.

Housing costs you ask? As a matter of fact, yes -I am aware that I will have to pay $250k to live in a (house???) that from what I can see, looks like the garage behind my $150k house!! Well, not exactly, I would have to paint my garage pink or teal..then it would look exactly the same! hehehehehe

I am actually wondering if I should just enter an LPN program, then do a LPN to RN thing down the road.

I am soo confused.

However, as my hubby keeps telling me.... "It IS Florida, it could be a worse state."

p.s.- trying to sell a house in MI sucks! I have seen houses taking over a year to sell...YIKES!!!

Thanks for all your advice.

Actually my hubby did not lose his job due to Katrina, although it dealt the same sort of blow...the owner announced on 9/20 that he was closing the business effective 9/30. (GEE thanks for the NOTICE and warning buddy!! LOL)

If i were already a nurse we would not be facing this crisis, I could take on more shifts to tide us over until he found a suitable replacement job, but alas I am a mere SAHM (to 5 year old twins and a 2 year old) taking pre req classes to be a nurse and taking care of my end stage COPD father.

Housing costs you ask? As a matter of fact, yes -I am aware that I will have to pay $250k to live in a (house???) that from what I can see, looks like the garage behind my $150k house!! Well, not exactly, I would have to paint my garage pink or teal..then it would look exactly the same! hehehehehe

I am actually wondering if I should just enter an LPN program, then do a LPN to RN thing down the road.

I am soo confused.

However, as my hubby keeps telling me.... "It IS Florida, it could be a worse state."

p.s.- trying to sell a house in MI sucks! I have seen houses taking over a year to sell...YIKES!!!

Not sure of which part of Mississippi you live in but I understand those close to the Gulf are selling at inflated prices, just like they have here in Florida, after our four hurricanes. Good luck.

Grannynurse :balloons:

HI, We are moving to Jacksonville right after Thanksgiving from Grand Rapids, MI. The other poster must have thought MI was for Mississippi. The economy is pretty bad here in MI but don't have to worry about hurricaines. Where in Mi do you live? I'm looking foward to nicer weather this winter, but I love my job here and don't look foward to changing jobs. Will your Dad be moving with you, this has to be rough on him. Well good luck on finding the right school, it can be a long wait anywhere you go. Take care! Lori

HI, We are moving to Jacksonville right after Thanksgiving from Grand Rapids, MI. The other poster must have thought MI was for Mississippi. The economy is pretty bad here in MI but don't have to worry about hurricaines. Where in Mi do you live? I'm looking foward to nicer weather this winter, but I love my job here and don't look foward to changing jobs. Will your Dad be moving with you, this has to be rough on him. Well good luck on finding the right school, it can be a long wait anywhere you go. Take care! Lori

The economy sucks here! I am in Taylor- (the downriver area) which is about 30 minutes north of Toledo, OH.

I will miss the change of seasons. EVEN the snow! lol. I probably wont miss weeks like this one. Mon was 86, today it is 50!! BRRR

I really am upset over losing my "place" at the school I am currently attending. Which is why I was thinking of trying for LPN first or something...

The economy is bad over on this side of the state as well. My guy is self employed and buisness has gone down hill this year. The economy is much better in Florida so we're going. I do love Florida, have been there a lot, Mom Dad and sister live there but they are much futher south. I won't miss winter don't like snow but there are a lot of things to miss and change is hard. I hope you can find school without waiting to long. Take care! Lori