What's the starting salary for graduates fresh out of nursin school in South Florida?

versatile_kat · Aug 19, 2003

It really depends on where you apply. I'm not even sure myself. Depending on the hospital and the area you want to work you can start out at around $18.00/hour. Critical care area's usually offer an extra two or three dollars for working in that area. There is a relatively new hospital affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic:

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/florida/ It's an excellent hospital in the fort lauderdale area. Check out their job postings ... they should give you a better estimate of salary. Hope this helps! And hope you make it to the sunshine state!

suehp · Aug 19, 2003

Dont know if this helps but I was offered $22 an hour in a hospital in Deland. I am not a new Grad but have been in a Nurisng Home enviroment for 10yrs in the UK. So I will be virtually starting from scratch as here in the UK in Nursing Homes we dont do I/V's or anything like that!

I have been qualified for almost 14 yrs and been a Manager for this Home for 10 yrs but will feel like a newbie when I eventually get over there!!

Sue :)

suehp · Aug 19, 2003

I also meant to say that I think they were offering about $18 for a new Grad!

Sue

TampaCCRN · Aug 20, 2003

Tampa area starts at about 18 and change, that's in the ER I am in. I'm not sure about any other area.

KarenAR · Aug 22, 2003

I talked to a few hospitals in the Miami area and they hover around $20-$21/hour for a new grad.

The other thing about Florida is you can start work as a "graduate nurse" - same pay and duties as an RN as long as you show proof you are eligible to sit for the boards. And, to work as a GN you have to take the boards within 6 months of graduation.

HandsOnTLC · Aug 24, 2003

I'm shocked at what seems to be acceptable pay for experienced RN's in FL. Looks like Gulf Coast isn't the only area of FL that is way behind most states in paying what nurses deserve.

When I was working L&D in WA state in 1990, I was making $15.50/hr. I moved to FL in 2002 & was offered $19.36/hr. Not much of a rise in pay there in 13 years, good grief!

If you go to http://www.salary.com you can find out what someone obviously thinks we make in FL:

"The median expected salary for a typical Staff Nurse - RN - Obstetrics in Pensacola, FL 32504, is $42,830. This basic market pricing report was prepared using our Certified Compensation Professionals' analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies."

NOT!!!

I think maybe we need nursing coalitions or unions. Something to pay nurses in FL for all the very hard work that they do.

Just my 2cents, thanks!

HandsOnTLC/ Katie

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Aug 25, 2003

The pay does seem low. Some of my classmates are working jobs as pct's in central Florida & making nearly $11 an hour to start.....and that's with only one semester of nursing classes under their belt.

acuteobrn · Sep 6, 2003

SueIP,

I was born in DeLand, never ran into anyone who knew where it was, I am curious which hospital???

I really liked it there as a kid, good weather, great beaches close and the sky at night, so many more stars than Chicago.

Curious though, how did you find out about DeLand???

PM me if you like.

bosslady · Sep 9, 2003

WOW- I think I am in shock. I am used to NY, NJ RN salaries. I know that I will make less in FL but your salaries sound like what we pay LPN's up here.

Any guess as to what pittance I would be offered as a Manager or Director of Nursing in LTC in Central Fl.

Thanks.

Ellen

cna · Sep 9, 2003

Nursing home in southeast, florida.

Experience does not matter.

LPN- day shift- $16.00 hr.

LPN- night shift- $20.00hr

RN- any shift- $25.00- $30.00 (depends on how bad they need you)

CNA-$9.00-$11.00hr depending on shift

My suggestion would be not to move to Florida if you really want to make what you are worth.

rmprn · Sep 9, 2003

I don't think nurses ANYWHERE make what they are worth! That being said,

you have to consider lots of things when comparing salaries. In FL there is no state income tax. Also, the price of property is MUCH lower than that of NY or NJ. Sales tax is anywhere from 6-7.5%

Car insurance is cheaper. Although if you are not used to owning a car, you will definitely want one down here.

There is no snow, so you don't have to own a winter wardrobe other than some jeans and sweatshirts and maybe a jacket. No snow tires, no snow shoveling.

You will never be more than 2 hours from a beach, and that's if you are in the middle of the state! A lot of the benefits of living here are not monetary ones, if you catch my drift.

I work PRN (no benefits, I am on my hubby's) and I make $32 an hour. I have see a major increase in pay over the last 2 years.

FL is one of the hardest hit states when it comes to the nursing shortage (large geriatric population) , so you can find sign on bonuses and relocation assistance (but then you owe time to the facility, so you have to think about that).

Winter is coming and that is the "season" for nurses down here. You can take a travel nursing job for 13 weeks, get a free furnished apartment and make $28-32 an hour. That way you can try FL out before you move.

I have lived here since age 4, and I know most of the areas. If anyone has any questions I'd be happy to help! We need good nurses in FL!!