Thinking about relocating to the Sunshine State for a change of pace? Want to bask in the sun, take long strolls on the beach, experience the picturesque sunsets? How about go gator watching in the everglades or a day trip to Disneyworld? Interested in working at one of the best hospitals in the country for nurses? Finding a nursing job in Florida has so many wonderful benefits and the state is a fantastic place to be a nurse!
There are numerous nursing jobs in Florida
With Florida being one of the top destinations in the United States for retirement, there are endless opportunities for nursing employment within the medical field. According to the FHA (Florida Hospital Association) there are over 70,000 hospitals, with over 28,000 of them being not for profit (which makes them eligible for the federal student loan forgiveness program!). In addition to the many hospitals and medical centers there are over 3,700 Nursing Homes and Assisted Living centers, accounting for almost 200,000 beds with residents in need of care. There are over 54,000 jobs posted for Registered Nurses on various job boards! On top of that, Florida ranks in the top 5 for “Opportunity and Competition” in the field of nursing.
Join a strong nursing community
Florida is densely populated with medical professionals making for a strong medical community. There are over 325,000 licenced Registered Nurses practicing in the state of Florida, along with approximately 78,000 Licensed Practical Nurses and over 31,000 Advanced Practice Nurses. With numbers like that come some fantastic resources to keep nurses safe, informed and involved. While Florida is largely a non-unionized state, the NNU (National Nurses United) offers their services to a number of the state’s hospitals allowing nurses the right to choose if they would like to be part of a union or not.
Florida Nurses can work at numerous prestigious facilities
Some of the nation’s leaders in healthcare innovation are located throughout the state of Florida. With huge names in the industry such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida is a top destination for nurses trying to further their career. Florida is also home to massive health systems that rank amongst the best, like AdventHealth…offering flexibility on location while staying within the same company.
Access ample nurse education opportunities in Florida
Florida is home to many universities that offer both online and onsite training for those interested in pursuing their BSN or MSN. Having different options to choose from gives you the power to find the school that is right for you and your career path. More colleges drives the price of tuition down, especially for in-state students! Picking someplace close to home allows you to spend more time doing what you love, like enjoying some of Florida’s fine cuisine or taking a stab at deep sea fishing.
Obtaining a Florida nursing license is easy
Licensing for nurses in Florida is governed by the Florida Board of Nursing, and most applications/renewals can be completed online. The fee is pretty low at $110 (compared to states like California where the fee is around $400) for an RN that is already licensed in another state. Finding a nursing job in Florida is Incredible easy for nurses with a compact license. Florida is a compact state, so it allows nurses that have a compact license to work within the state without applying for special endorsements. Additionally, maintaining your Florida nurse CEUs is very easy with Incredible Health as you can complete them all online for free at your convenience.
Florida nurses enjoy incredible quality of life
There is a reason that Florida is one of the most sought after destinations in the world for relaxation, retirement and raising a family. Aside from all of the career perks listed in this piece, the general quality of living is fantastic. Florida public schools rank among the top half nationwide and many private schools are available…including the prestigious Montverde Academy located in beautiful Montverde Florida. Sports is a big part of the culture down south and Florida does not disappoint, offering beautifully equipped stadiums at very reasonable pricing for either season tickets or just an outing with the family. Being very diverse, Florida has been referred to as a melting pot for different ethnicities, religions and ways of living. You’re sure to find something new to explore around every corner!
Explore stunning outdoor scenery during your time off
The landscape of Florida is as diverse as its population. The state as a whole offers over 1,000 miles of coastline between the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and one can travel between the two coasts in about 2.5 hours! So regardless of the weather, you are sure to find a beach that is worthy of a postcard.
The state is broken up into 3 regions, each boasting their own foliage and wildlife, even some gorgeous rolling hills. South Florida is home to many beaches, canals and intercoastal waterways. The beaches have palm trees, white sand and shells galore. Fishing can be done either from the shore or on a boat in the ocean or on a lake. Central Florida has beautiful hills and hundreds of lakes. The landscape changes from white sand beaches to large oak and walnut trees adorned with spanish moss. Less populated than south Florida for the most part, central Florida has many farms and more of a southern charm. Northern Florida gives us the states capitol (Jacksonville) and the panhandle, which has some of the most amazing sunsets and beaches in the world, while keeping that small town feel.
Things for nurses to do in their time off:
Florida has countless main attractions, each with their own unique attributes. Some of the must do’s include:
- Disneyworld and Universal Studios- Located in Orlando Florida, these 2 mega theme parks are sure to please any liking.
- The Florida Everglades- Go gator watching, hunt for a giant python or just take a boat ride and spot all of the wildlife including key deer, florida black panthers or a giant great blue heron.
- The Springs- Situated throughout the states, there are several springfed springs. The temperature of the water is often quite chilly (making it feel AMAZING on a sweltering hot Florida day) and the colors and clarity will blow you away!
- The Treasure Coast- Saint Augustine is rich in the spanish colonial history of Florida and hold some incredible beaches. Visit Cape Coral and see where NASA has launched spacecraft since 1950. Enjoy some daytime beachcombing and some killer nightlife in Melbourne and Cocoa Beach.
- South Beach- This iconic beach is not just a place to go. It’s a place to EXPERIENCE. The art deco architecture and the celebrity frequented town does not disappoint. Tour the streets lined with mansions that have been occupied by millionaires like the Versace family and dine with the elite at Prime One Twelve.
Nurse Salaries in Florida
While Florida may not be the top paying state for nursing professionals, it ranks among the top and is highly competitive. The average pay for a Registered Nurse in Florida is $66,210 while the national average is around $75,510. Reasonable and competitive pay, paired with a low cost of living…makes for some great financial benefits. The average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is below the national average (approximately $1,200) in many areas of Florida, with some of the more urban cities being slightly higher (Like Miami). There is no state income tax, keeping more of your hard earned dollars in your pocket.
If you’d like more information about how much nurses in your specialty or city in Florida make, you can head over to the Incredible Health nurse salary estimator to see how much nurses like you make.
How to find a nurse job in Florida
Incredible Health has dozens of hospitals who are hiring for nursing jobs in Florida. You can sign up for free in minutes and your profile can be shown to hospitals hiring permanent nurses. Just create a free profile to get started today.
Moving to Florida is a dream come true for many. Soooo much culture, opportunity and beauty…all surrounded by views worthy of being called “Paradise”. There has never been a better time to find a nursing job in Florida. GO FOR IT!
