What is real deal with nurses and salaries in Florida?

U.S.A. Florida

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I am from PA and my family would like to relocate to Florida once I graduate with my RN. Is it as bad as I read on hear wages and nursing in Florida? In PA, the cost of living is low, and wages are pretty good, seems like most start at 25- 30/ hour, though I know some that make almost 50/hour. My plan is eventually obtaining CRNP or CRNA if feeling ambitious enough but for now I was curious about Florida, if we do relocate it will be north Florida preferably Gulf coast? What about other states down south, ie) Texas, North/South Carolina? thanks

Hey Flager!

to the OP or whomever, I say go read other state sections of AN. The folks in Alaska are doing well. I guess, If u can handle the cold.. ( I met someone from a party 2 weeks ago. She was leaving for Alaska for work) The nurses in HI says the COLvs wages is killing them.

My friend lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a BSN. He says they are constantly hiring in Cincinnati & NKY area in LTC. My cousin is a LPN in Memphis TN. She says they love any RN.

Schooling is cheap here. I might finish school here and leave like Flager says.

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Hi all,

I am Canadian nurse with 5 years exp...I am thinking about endorsing my Minnisota Lisence for florida....I am thinking about relocating to North lauderdale in the plantation area....does anyone know how much a nurse with my experience gets paid. Also I see various job postings that states f/t hours are 72hrs bi-weekly...does this mean they pay nurses for only 72 hours per week or do they subtract your breaks....someone told me once that the nurses are paid for 80 hours as an incentive eventhough they work 72....thanks for your response.

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3 x 12 hour shifts = 36 hours x 2 weeks = biweekly 72 hours...I think this is contract work, no paid break???

Florida has a glut of nurses and it is not a well paying state...also, you better be healthy and not have children, because health insurance is big cost! Not to mention property taxes if you buy a home.

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Specializes in Home Care.

Like the others said, there isn't much for jobs for new RN grads here in Florida. There's not much for jobs for anyone else here either. Businesses are closing up everywhere. The economy here is dismal and I don't see it getting much better for a few years. Florida ranks among the top 10 in home foreclosure rates.

I plan on leaving the state once I get RN.

I'm a homeowner, the cost of home insurance, auto insurance and taxes eat up a big chunk of my monthly bills. I'll probably put my house on the market in the next few months and pray that it sells for a decent price.

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Specializes in CVICU.
Hi all,

I am Canadian nurse with 5 years exp...I am thinking about endorsing my Minnisota Lisence for florida....I am thinking about relocating to North lauderdale in the plantation area....does anyone know how much a nurse with my experience gets paid. Also I see various job postings that states f/t hours are 72hrs bi-weekly...does this mean they pay nurses for only 72 hours per week or do they subtract your breaks....someone told me once that the nurses are paid for 80 hours as an incentive eventhough they work 72....thanks for your response.

Nope, you work 72 hours and you get pain for 72 hours. No free 8 hours unfortunately. The shift is 12hours. Really its 7am to 7:23 pm and that counts as 12 hours weather or not you take any breaks or lunch.

My hospital insurance is ok price i guess, 115 dollars every 2 weeks for family of 4. 20-25 copays and deductables and other things for hospital stays.

Its ok down here but Im burnt out already only after 1.5 years. If you are lucky enough to get a job up in ft lauderdale try it out. They start new grads down here at around 24-25 dollars an hour.

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Can someone speak as to how things are at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville? I am up here in NH graduating in May and they are telling us that there are jobs for new grads in Florida and Texas...............wondered what you thought in

Florida?

Thanks

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Becky8,

I am a nursing student and have done clinicals at all the hospitals in Jacksonville. The very nicest hospital in town is Mayo. They have the best nurse to pt ratios. Just a really nice place!

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Can someone speak as to how things are at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville? I am up here in NH graduating in May and they are telling us that there are jobs for new grads in Florida and Texas...............wondered what you thought in

Florida?

Thanks

LOL...I'm curious why the folks in NH are telling you to get outta the state and head somewhere else to get a job???...you figure they want to keep you there to benefit from your experience in NH...instead they're telling you to get out of town?

Remember, the grass looks greener on the other side...but you still have to mow the lawn...;)

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

I have a friend at the Mayo clinic and it's very difficult to get hired on there, pretty near impossible for new grads who don't already work there. They have a new grad program, but they have far more applicants than positions available. Don't bank on getting into Mayo. In fact, Florida is a horrible state for nurses all around, with new grads getting the fuzzy end of the lollipop. I'd stick closer to home.

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Things are tough in NH as well.

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Can't say what it's like at Mayo in FL, but here in MN they are not hiring. I don't know when they will start hiring again. It's pretty tight for new grads in MN, too.

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Specializes in Home Care.

I'm a new LPN.

A nurse recruiter contacted me today about doing H1N1 vaccinations. The position was in the county north of me and would entail long commute and long day so I turned it down. I also really don't want to be giving flu shots to kids, just not my cup of tea.

We got talking about the lack of nursing jobs in Florida, she said it'll probably be close to 5 years before things really turn around with the economy in Florida.

I'm hoping to start the LPN-RN bridge program in May. When I graduate I'm leaving the state and will go wherever I have to go to land a job.

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