What would be the estimated starting salary in Flordia?

michelle95 · Feb 27, 2006

While I agree that the pay is lower, I do not agree with the blanket statement that the conditions/ratios are poorer. Yes, maybe with some hospitals, but not all. For example, at the hospital that I work at (SMH) the day ratio is 5 pts to 1 nurse and at night 6 pts to 1 nurse. There are also to PCAs and a unit secretary to 3:30 am.

At a neighboring hospital that I work in, the progressive care (medical telemetry) unit ratio is 5 to 1 and occasionally 6. Med surg is higher.

Knew I should have gone to SMH...I just didn't want the drive. :rotfl:

gwlillith · Feb 28, 2006

At a neighboring hospital that I work in, the progressive care (medical telemetry) unit ratio is 5 to 1 and occasionally 6. Med surg is higher.
Knew I should have gone to SMH...I just didn't want the drive. :rotfl:

I work at Lee Memorial in Ft. Meyers and have to say that it is the ABSOLUTE WORSE place to work.

The pay is nickeled and dimed to death and non negotiable. The staff ratio's are ridiculous. In ICU during this season, I had 4 ICU patients a number of times and the PCU's are 6-8. This is including drips...like cardizem and insulin.

People are leaving in droves, there's no education department or retention commitments.

This is how it is here and I'm now looking to move out of here since housing is now unaffordable for my income.

I say if you're thinking of moving here, think again. It may be paradise, but if you working 80 hours a week just to make ends meet, what's the point?

Good luck to all

michelle95 · Mar 1, 2006

I work at Lee Memorial in Ft. Meyers and have to say that it is the ABSOLUTE WORSE place to work.
The pay is nickeled and dimed to death and non negotiable. The staff ratio's are ridiculous. In ICU during this season, I had 4 ICU patients a number of times and the PCU's are 6-8. This is including drips...like cardizem and insulin.
People are leaving in droves, there's no education department or retention commitments.
This is how it is here and I'm now looking to move out of here since housing is now unaffordable for my income.
I say if you're thinking of moving here, think again. It may be paradise, but if you working 80 hours a week just to make ends meet, what's the point?
Good luck to all

Guess I don't have a reason to fuss. How do these hospitals get away with this? :devil:

helpinghands, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2006

I have lived here for 5 years. Ratio's are also a problem at the hospital where I work. Team nursing is very popular in all the departments.

Tele 2/8 or 1/6

Med/Surg 2/12-16

ICU 2/4 or 1/2-3

Lately they have been going even higher due to poor staffing, CN's often have their own patients.

Ofcourse you never really experience Florida nursing until you are locked down in the hospital because a hurricane is coming. (twice last year!) The actually position securtiy at all the exits.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2006

I had always heard that Lee in Ft.Myers was supposed to be good to work for. I'm glad that I went to Orlando for the Winter instead. And the travel pay was better in Orlando, though ratios were only okay.

Doesn't Lee Memorial require that annoying PBDS testing for travelers?

pedinurse05 · Mar 1, 2006

I left FLorida this past year for greener pastures. The ratio was 5-6 in PCU and 8-9 med surg. It is impossible to get everything completed. The pay was $20.00 for 2+ years experience. I have since relocated to CA where I have patient ratio laws AND the pay is much better! I know the cost of living is higher but sheesh I was killing myself working in Florida where there is LITTLE respect for RN's! The PBDS test is very easy--I took it once and passed with no prepping before hand. It is all very basic nursing situations that we have all learned in school.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2006

I didn't say that PBDS was hard, merely annoying.

A lot of people get totally freaked about it. But face facts, after about third or fourth assignment that requires it, it gets to be rote.

pedinurse05 · Mar 1, 2006

I didn't say that PBDS was hard, merely annoying.
A lot of people get totally freaked about it. But face facts, after about third or fourth assignment that requires it, it gets to be rote.

I think if you take it once and pass or whenever you pass the hospitals should honor that. Yes, I can imagine taking it several times is a waste of time and money.

steu · Mar 2, 2006

Grew up in West Palm Beach - thinking of returning as a new graduate nurse - anyone have new graduate starting salary information on St. Mary's/ Good Samaritan hospitals - Tenet Healthcare systems? Also working conditions - I have heard mixed reviews about Tenet. Thanks!

grannynurse FNP student · Mar 2, 2006

I first moved to SW Florida, Charlotte County, went to work a Fawcett Memorial, charge nurse, 34 bed unit, with ten telemetry beds, for $6.10. I had responsibility for all 34 patients, treatments, admissions, assessments, talking and accompanying doctors on their rounds,. I had a graduate nurse to do the medications (I was responsible for the IVs), three aides, a monitor tech. Pay, on 3-11, $6.10 an hour. Respect, support, non-existent. I lasted six months.

Last Spring I spent one week in Fawcett, the nurses now work 12 hour shifts, have an average of 7-8 to 10 patients, with an aide, are responsible for all treatments, IVs, assessments, admissions, discharges, don't accompany doctors on rounds. Pay $21 per hour.

Right after Charlie put my hospital, all three actually, out of business temporarily, I was a patient at SMH. Nurse patient ratio was much better. To be honest, nursing care was somewhat better. I don't know what their pay is.

As for the cost of living down here. I lived, alone, in upstate NY for three years. Rent $750 a month, one bedroom apartment. Telephone and cable my responsibility. Food same as it is here. I now live with my daughter, SIL, three grandchildren, two dogs, four cats, one hamster, two goldfish, in a 970 sq foot home-SIL is building another room for me. I can't afford to rent anything here in Charlotte County, average rent $1100 per month for a one bedroom apartment, if you can find one. My daughter's FP & L bill $150 a month, cable $76, telephone $56 we rarely make long distance calls, $350 every two weeks for food. I and my SIL spent an average of $60 a week for milk and other things we run out of or short of. New Homes begin at $250,000 with $5,000 impact fee just currently being added on. A lot to build on, from $50,000 to $70,000.

Sorry, Florida does not have state income tax but it also lacks a great many of the things that states which do. And its schools are not as strong as they are in other parts of the country. I75, I4, I95 are all chocked with traffic and need of expansion.

Now, come on down.

Grannynurse:balloons:

gwlillith · Mar 11, 2006

Guess I don't have a reason to fuss. How do these hospitals get away with this?

Cus it's the only game in town here, except for Southwest Fl. Regional and they are worse than Lee! Everyone says Lee is great to work for, but let me tell you, they will work you to death during the season and lay you off during off season when it gets real tight!

We really need to unionize this whole state like Caly-forny did!

KristinWW · Mar 14, 2006

Don't know where you're looking, but South Florida (Palm Beach County, Broward County) pays $19 - $20/hr and some do NOT pay diff for a BSN. Cost of living has skyrocketed and the median is over $400 for a single family home. Benefits of Florida - the weather, the weather, the weather. That line gets old after a while.....