traveling to florida

Has anyone out there worked as a travel nurse in Florida? My husband and I would really like to go there, but have not heard good things about staffing and the general treatment of nurses by management in the state. A Florida license is kind of a pain to get...so is the game worth the candle? Please respond!

cruiser

[baseline]

Well, I live here. I like my hospital, and I think the travelers get treated pretty well. Guess its just the luck of the draw!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I live in Florida and we get all kinds of travelers.

The satisfaction depends on the traveler themselves and their expectations, and experiences.

Nursing is tough down here and the ratios are hard and many travelers hate it and never will come back. Others travel all up and down the state and never leave.

Some come and count down the days until they leave. Come down! You can do anything for 13 weeks can't ya!

Also depends on why you come. If you come for the attractions, the weather, the beaches as well as to make money you'll be happier.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

The pay is lousy, the weather is too hot, the staffing is inadequate, the Board is pathetic

I grew up there, left and don't miss it a bit.

[baseline]

I need to add that some of our travelers have stayed bought homes and gone full-time. Like anyplace, it depends on you, the hospital you choose, location. but heck....like #rd shift says....you can try it for 13 weeks!!! But summer is HOT so brace yourself!

[Travellin Guy]

If you are going down with a travel company ask them to put you in contact with other travel nurses that have been at the facility you are looking at.

[Sunflowers]

Licensed, Lived and worked in Florida, but decided to travel elsewhere.

I have to agree with other postings that Nurse patient ratios tend to be horrific. My average patient load was 9-10 without an aid for post-op ortho patients. Very risky indeed. (night shift)

Overall, I would just say that nurses work very hard in Florida.

I have seen more than a few travellers RETURN to our facility even though season can be really rough. That's a testiment to the high skill level travellers tend to have. (pat on the back for all travellers)

So, does that mean it's bad? Not sure, but I think it depends on the traveller.

I decided to travel myself and experience other states and hospitals.

Will the "Grass be greener on the other side of the fence?"

I guess I'm going to find out.

Currently in CA on assignment.

[carehope]

I am considering a position at Largo Fl. Has anyone out there been there. Any advice?

Thanks,

carehope

[lisa-888]

I too am thinking of travel nursing there - does anyone have infor on the difference btwn Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Bca Raton and West Palm Beach & the hospitals as well? Any advice would be appreciated - 8 yrs ortho trauma

[beausud]

hey i did a contract at tampa general. i worked on the surgical stepdown. everyone was very nice, i had no problems there. we had 3 pt's per nurse. heavy pt.'s but everybody in general helped out each other. good luck.

[midnightdana]

I am considering a position at Largo Fl. Has anyone out there been there. Any advice?

Thanks,

carehope

been to largo to an hca facility with a new orthopedic pavillion, loved it!!! they were very fair and the area is beautiful. i thought about full time instread of travel there.

[midnightdana]

Has anyone out there worked as a travel nurse in Florida? My husband and I would really like to go there, but have not heard good things about staffing and the general treatment of nurses by management in the state. A Florida license is kind of a pain to get...so is the game worth the candle? Please respond!

cruiser

i'm there traveling now. i like some places and i don't like others...just like all the other states i've been to. the pay is one of the worst but i love the town i landed in (sarasota)