RN salary and shifts... 8hr or 12hr

[Liza54]

I work in a hospital I think is way 'less' than any other I've worked at- and I've done travel nursing all over the country. My specialty is OR, and I also took a pay cut to live here. I am planning on eventually making it back to southern Cali, but for now I do enjoy never having to wear a winter coat. Otherwise, nursing is not the greatest here.

[Liza54]

I think avg. is something like 22-30/hr depending on specialty and yrs. of experience. Keep in mind, CA is ard 36-40, DC 28-34, etc. so it is on the low side.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by 1coolcustomer

Or C.N.A s, they usually get at least $10-$12 and substantially more if they just go agency. I've seen agency R.N.s who go work one 16 hour double shift and get paid for 40 hours.

Wow - 16 hrs. I've done that a few time because of emergency staffing problems, but can't believe that it's a safe thing for hospitals to do on a regular basis. Reminds me why I left the profession and have no thoughts of returning.

[rizhii]

16 hours....cake walk especially if the money is right. I generally prefer 12 hour days.. leaves more time open in my schedule...

thanks again to all who replied

[lily2159]

Originally Posted by rizhii

Planning a move to Tampa this fall and I am attempting to get some realistic figures. I am an LPN, GN(RN) Just finished program waiting for boards, so technically I will be a new RN.

I will be looking for a hospital position... what would base pay be considered? Do the hospitals utilize 8hour or 12hour shifts (I prefer 12).

Is there a better time of year to look for a job in Tampa?

Sadly I know nurses make considerably less in Florida... aaand I do not buy into the whole "but the cost of living is cheaper" deal either. I have nursing friends who live in Florida currently and when you do the books it is not that different as many would have you believe.

I reside in Philadelphia, and live a basic lifestyle and keep my cost minimal, I can park my care for a week at a time...

anywho, any and all help is welcomed. Thanks

Hi
I am an RN in Tampa and I have worked at a few different hospitals here over the past 8 years. I also have friends that work at other hospitals in Tampa that I haven't worked at so I can give you some info about them too. What area of nursing are you interested in (peds, adults, women's, psych etc)? Once I know that info I can tell you which hospitals you will want to work at & which to avoid. I can also tell you which pay better.

[rizhii]

@lily2159... Since I will be technically a new RN, med-surg/tele is fine. If I could I would eventually gravitate towards the ER or PACU/SICU

Wound Care is my specialty, but most facilities are lucky if they have 1-2 people dedicated to the position. A wound care clinic or burn unit would be ideal, but not that many of them and many have bankers hours. A 12hour schedule is easier to schedule classes around.