West Palm Beach Help!

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Hello everyone! I have found a great wealth of information about many cities in Florida as I've read posts, but I have yet to know much about West Palm Beach. For those who know quite a deal about this area, I would LOVE to find out the cost of living, quality of beaches, number of hospitals and how prestigous they are, plus the pay scale for a critical care nurse (or really any nursing position). I live in TN but am looking for an unbelievable city on or near the beach to call home after I graduate nursing school. If anyone has any information about West Palm Beach or Palm Beach Gardens, please please share it with me. I need to find out as much as I possibly can. I thank you all in advance!

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU~CCRN,CNRN.

Hey there...

I graduated from Palm Beach Comm College about 10years ago and have been in ICU ever since. I haven't lived in WPB for awhile but have alot of friends there.

If you're looking for beach property,you're looking at a million dollars plus....Housing is very, very expensive! To get something even remotely in a nice area you're looking at $300,000 easy!

Nursing salaries here are not competitive with each other and new grads start at about $19 to $20/hour. The hospital systems are very old and sign on bonuses are no longer existent. You work with incredulous staff/patient ratios and administration turns a deaf ear. Their take on it is, "well, you live in paradise, so..."

The best thing to do if you want a house is get a couple of room mates to help, otherwise turn tail and run....

Sorry...I know my disappointment shows here, but I just got a paycut from Lee Memorial here in fort myers due to their "budget difficulties"....so I'm a little bitter....

Take care and good luck

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Specializes in Critical Care, Home Health.

Also, many of the hospitals have new grad contracts. Basically you have to agree to work at the hospital for 1-2 years and if you quit before the time is up you have pay a certain amount to the hospital to compensate them for the education you received as a new grad. It's almost impossible to avoid these contracts especially if you choose a specialty area.

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