Salaries in Florida

jaimealmostRN · Mar 9, 2004

I think her point (and I agree) is that as nurses, we work our tushies off and deserve to be compensated thusly. I love Florida, but am hesitant to move there b/c of the low salaries. My home state is (cold) NJ and there are plenty of nice towns, (with low living costs) with hospitals that pay around $27-32/hr for new grads, esp. on the night shift. If beautiful Fl. would just show a little more respect for it's nurses then I'd be there in a second!

I also feel that while at work (and I'm still a tech...graduation soon baby!) most nurses I know are completely selfless...they all deserve to go home to their nice house and get in the jacuzzi tub at the end of a long day! WE ARE NOT MARTYRS!!!! When you feel best about yourself, you are able to help to help MORE people. :)

edib1 · Mar 9, 2004

I think her point (and I agree) is that as nurses, we work our tushies off and deserve to be compensated thusly. I love Florida, but am hesitant to move there b/c of the low salaries. My home state is (cold) NJ and there are plenty of nice towns, (with low living costs) with hospitals that pay around $27-32/hr for new grads, esp. on the night shift. If beautiful Fl. would just show a little more respect for it's nurses then I'd be there in a second!
I also feel that while at work (and I'm still a tech...graduation soon baby!) most nurses I know are completely selfless...they all deserve to go home to their nice house and get in the jacuzzi tub at the end of a long day! WE ARE NOT MARTYRS!!!! When you feel best about yourself, you are able to help to help MORE people. :)

YOU ARE SO RIGHT JAMIE GOOD LUCK IN SCHOOL AND ON YOUR BOARDS.

MY HUSBAND IS GETTING INTO NOVA SOUTHWESTERN TO BECOME AN OPTOMETRIST AND I AM SO HAPPY FOR HIM BUT I AM ALSO PISSED BECAUSE NOW HAVE TO WORK MY A## OFF TO TAKE CARE OF OUR DAUGHTER THAT WILL BE ONLY FIVE MONTHS WHEN WE MOVE AND I GET TO TAKE A 5-6 DOLLAR PAYCUT, WITH HIM IN SCHOOL FULL TIME I HAVE TO CARRY ALL THE WEIGHT AND I GET TO LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING AS MUCH MONEY AS I DID WHEN I WAS 18 WORKING AT FREAKING BANK OF AMERICA HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSE TO PAY ALL OF OUR BILLS AND BUY THE THINGS THAT HE NEEDS FOR SCHOOL AND DIAPERS AND OTHER STUFF WHEN YOU DONT GET PAYED SHIT AAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHH.:rotfl: :rotfl: BUT AS WOMEN WE ARE STRONG AND THIS I SHALL OVER COME. WITH STRESS AT HOME WHO NEEDS STRESS AT WORK AND EVEN BETTER WHO WANTS TO CRY WHEN THEY SEE THEIR PAYCHECK KNOWING THAT THEY WORKED THEIR ASS OFF

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2004

I think her point (and I agree) is that as nurses, we work our tushies off and deserve to be compensated thusly. I love Florida, but am hesitant to move there b/c of the low salaries. My home state is (cold) NJ and there are plenty of nice towns, (with low living costs) with hospitals that pay around $27-32/hr for new grads, esp. on the night shift. If beautiful Fl. would just show a little more respect for it's nurses then I'd be there in a second!
I also feel that while at work (and I'm still a tech...graduation soon baby!) most nurses I know are completely selfless...they all deserve to go home to their nice house and get in the jacuzzi tub at the end of a long day! WE ARE NOT MARTYRS!!!! When you feel best about yourself, you are able to help to help MORE people. :)

And the point that others of us are making is that Nurses in Florida having been fighting for better pay for 20 years. And it has been a waste of time and energy.

Perhaps a mass exodus of nurses would force the issue.

And quite bluntly if you do not like what you are getting paid, where you at, and that is really important to you, go to where you get the bucks. Don't insult those that have to live in FL. and have been fighting to no avail for better pay - it just adds insult to injury. Go where you get the pay, and the shortage in FL will help those nurses be able to negotiate for better pay.

In other words, FISH OR CUT BAIT!!!!!

PS. You can also encourage your elders to keep themselves up north.

EMTPTORN · Mar 9, 2004

i believe their are good paying nursing jobs in fl, one just must search them out....unfortunatly the best paying ones are pool w/o bennies which is not an option for many of us....in the panhandle area where michelle (and i) live on nights new grads can start for around 20......and i know of one place that pays >35 for night weekend pool.........i know there are better paying places..........but this wage does pay the bills and i live 5 min. from the prettiest beaches in america....so there is a trade off.

NICU_RNwantsFL · Mar 9, 2004

To TiffanyLee -

If one's cost of living is low, it is NOT necessarily because one "doesn't expect very much of oneself" (paraphrasing mine), as one of your messages alluded to.

My cost of living is low because I have no house payment, no car payment, no credit card debt, etc. I live within my means. I bought my house for cash - it is comfortable and suits my needs, but sure isn't the Taj Mahal. My cars are older but reliable (also bought for cash), but certainly not brand-new SUVs. I don't buy something if I don't have the money to pay for it, so no credit card debt.

Does this make me someone who doesn't expect too much of myself?

No, on the contrary - it makes me someone who is fortunate ( and grateful) to be debt-free and works hard to stay that way.

I guess we all have to choose professions that will financially support our chosen lifestyles.

TIFFANYLEE · Mar 10, 2004

If you want money Tiffany, why don't you go to medical school? You seem to have the attitude that is common in that profession.
On the other hand, I'd hate to be your patient. You wouldn't look at me as a person, you'd see me as a dollar sign.
Tootles. :)

Better yet I got my legal nurse cert maybe I can make a ton of $$ from nurse's like you !!:rotfl:

pwp1289 · Mar 10, 2004

daughter and family--with my only grandchild--feel they cannot make it here in ny so they are returning to the panhandle (she went to college there and lived there for 6 years before returning to ny) i am heartbroken beyond belief--i want to be near them but at 58yo and only 6 more years to have 20 years in federal system--i cannot see myself going to fla for those wages as i am making over $80k now

TIFFANYLEE · Mar 10, 2004

To TiffanyLee -
If one's cost of living is low, it is NOT necessarily because one "doesn't expect very much of oneself" (paraphrasing mine), as one of your messages alluded to.
My cost of living is low because I have no house payment, no car payment, no credit card debt, etc. I live within my means. I bought my house for cash - it is comfortable and suits my needs, but sure isn't the Taj Mahal. My cars are older but reliable (also bought for cash), but certainly not brand-new SUVs. I don't buy something if I don't have the money to pay for it, so no credit card debt.
Does this make me someone who doesn't expect too much of myself?
No, on the contrary - it makes me someone who is fortunate ( and grateful) to be debt-free and works hard to stay that way.
I guess we all have to choose professions that will financially support our chosen lifestyles.

I have to agree we all need to support our self in this world that is not why I choose nursing 27 years ago but I belive as nurse's who are demand now we need to ask , no DEMAND better wages and since there is a shortage we should get the $$$. I am not in debt and have a nice lifestyle , I work hard but expect payment for that experience . Nurse's are needed . I will always have a job but I will work hard for $$$ not so hard for less . The public must begin to understand who is keeping them comforable in the hospitals or Nursing homes who is really caring for them . I think alot of the country has caught on to the idea that nurse's no longer work for pennies . I am sure if you want to work for low wages or:angryfire lower wages you can get that job . But as for me I will wait out the higher paying postions or do travel nursing people are people I don't care who I nurse but how much it pays !!

orchid · Mar 11, 2004

hi guys...I am a new grad , any idea where would be a good place for me to start, a lot of the hospitals in my area are asking for experience...I am near Sarasota.. any advice will be helpful..thanks

orchid · Mar 11, 2004

i believe their are good paying nursing jobs in fl, one just must search them out....unfortunatly the best paying ones are pool w/o bennies which is not an option for many of us....in the panhandle area where michelle (and i) live on nights new grads can start for around 20......and i know of one place that pays >35 for night weekend pool.........i know there are better paying places..........but this wage does pay the bills and i live 5 min. from the prettiest beaches in america....so there is a trade off.

HI...does your hospital take new grads? thanks for the advice

Missyb32641 · Mar 30, 2004

If you want to work for low wages you should !! I do not wish to work for 17.00 per hour I make $64,000 now why in God's name would I want to work for less . Maybe your cost of living is low because you don't expect too much from yourself I on the other hand think If you want and need my expertise than pay for it . I am a nurse not a nun I want to be paid for my responsibilities . I don't know how much experience you have as a nurse on the unit or if you have any MANAGEMENT experience but I can tell you nurse's who feel they can get by with less get nothing . I intend to lobby for better wages in Florida and I do hope people like you do not think nurse's won't strike or slow work down because I will without a doubt and nurse's like you can pick up the slack since you love the job !!

I am a student working on my prereqs I will enter the program next May. My husband supports a family of four, one of whom is a special needs child, on 13 dollars an hour. I am a full time student and full time mom, we have a house and 2 cars (both paid off). The money can get very tight every month and I am in school now so our future will be better.

I am looking forward to making 19.00 an hour when I finally start working. This will more than double our family income.

If you don't like the salary here quit bit**ing about and either 1) don't move here, 2) move away from here; or 3) try living within your means

But that is my opinion

GuyNurse · Apr 3, 2004

i am a student working on my prereqs i will enter the program next may. my husband supports a family of four, one of whom is a special needs child, on 13 dollars an hour. i am a full time student and full time mom, we have a house and 2 cars (both paid off). the money can get very tight every month and i am in school now so our future will be better.
i am looking forward to making 19.00 an hour when i finally start working. this will more than double our family income.
if you don't like the salary here quit bit**ing about and either 1) don't move here, 2) move away from here; or 3) try living within your means
but that is my opinion

all i have to say is this. when you are out of school and start working as a nurse in the real world you will be humming a new tune.

i thought the same way when i was in school... i wanted to change the world. well, their is a reality check & you will soon find out.

my area is port st. lucie & stuart.

lpn salary;

hosp. 11.88 - 12.50 an hr - nurse to pt. ratio 6-12:1 :crying2:

ltc 13.50 - 15.00 an hr. - nurse to pt. ratio 22-30:1 :crying2:

i am moving back to nj were the pay rate is 10.00 an hr. higher.

i preform nursing duties at any job, i work for the $$$ not for charity!!

fl needs to put the crack pipe down!!! and start paying nurses what they deserve!!