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Discussion

Thinking about the move to Florida...

Hello all of my Floridian collegues! I'm a RN in NJ that has been considering moving to Florida for some time. I'm born and raised in NJ, but have frequently visited Florida throughout my lifetime, and no not just to Disneyworld :p. I have many family members that have left the NJ/NY area for Florida and am considering making the move myself for my family of 5. I'm leaning towards central Florida but I'm still very flexible at this time; not looking to move immediately but within the next two years.

A little about my experience in the profession:

2 years IMCU/Step down (first nursing job)

1 year of Cardiac Cath Lab

3 years of critical care nursing in a combined medical, surgical, cardiac ICU with a focus on complex SICU patients (my current full time job)

1 year of PACU (my other current job, working per diem)

My credentials include BSN, CCRN with ACLS and PALS. Also have experience and training for providing CRRT (continuous renal replacement therapy).

My questions are the following:

1. What is a ballpark figure for an hourly rate I can expect working full time in a critical care unit taking into account my work experience? I do realize that on average nursing jobs in Florida pay less than NJ, but in NJ I probably fall somewhere on the lower end of what is considered "average" since I work in western/central NJ.

2. Would hooking up with a staffing agency for the first 6 months to a year be an easier transition or should I just look for full time regular employment beforehand?

3. Does anyone have any thoughts or input on the Lake Nona area? The last time I was in Orlando visiting family was this past December of 2012, and it seemed to be pretty hyped up by my relatives as being an up and coming place to live.

Any and all input/feedback is greatly appreciated, and if there's something that I should be considering that wasn't mentioned, please feel free to bring it up!

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    I would think long and hard about a move to central Florida from NJ. I don't mean to crush your spirits, but with your experience and even with what you consider to be a lower than average NJ wage, you are going to be in for a disappointment salary wise. I don't think you'll have a problem finding a job with those credentials, but the hourly rate here is laughable compared to the west coast or northeast. The cost of living is a bit lower, but not enough to justify the pay rate.

    You might consider waiting for the VA hospital in Lake Nona to open as they will offer better wages/benefits than the area hospitals. I know a lot of nurses here are waiting for it to open to flee there for that reason, not to mention the security of a government job. For what it's worth, the Lake Nona medical city is a beautiful area that they've pretty much created out of a huge emtpy land space. I want to move there myself as the developments are currently being built.

    I know an RN from Canada working here as a travel nurse who was offered a position here, but she laughed when she saw the pay cut she'd take from transitioning from the agency to the hospital. PM if you want some idea as to wages.

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    Thanks for the honest opinion, I'll be PM'ing you.

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    Well that PM will have to wait, apparently I need to post more topics before I can send a PM.

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