Your Guide to Opportunities in Florida
Florida, with its abundance of sunshine throughout the year, is aptly named "The Sunshine State." It has a 7% sales tax but no state income tax. And at 19%, it has the nation's highest percentage of citizens age 65 and over.
Here are three communities to consider if you're looking for your place in the sun.
GAINESVILLE
Located in north-central Florida, Gainesville's population is 87,295. It has the third highest concentration of RNs in the country-more than 3.1% of the workers in this area, and they earn a mean salary of $43,850. Cost of living is very favorable, and the average home purchase price is $170,000. The climate is pleasant, about 54[degrees] in January, and 81[degrees] in July. Large employers in the Gainesville area are the University of Florida and Shands Hospital.
TAMPA
Tampa, in the west-central part of the state, has a population of 285,206. However, the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is home to more than 1 million. Cost of living here is even slightly better than Gainesville. The average homebuyer pays $158,000. January temperatures average 60[degrees], and July's 82[degrees]. The mean RN salary for this area is $43,850, and a large employer is St. Joseph's Hospital.
MIAMI
Situated in Dade County in southeast Florida, Miami has a population of 365,127, although population of the metropolitan statistical area is more than 2 million. Census figures from 2000 show this area also has a large Hispanic and foreign-born population. Miami's cost of living is still reasonable, and temperatures are warmer, at 67[degrees] in January and 83[degrees] in July. Houses cost $180,000 on average and RNs in this area earn a mean income of $49,710. Miami Women and Children's Shelter, Jackson Memorial Hospital and Baptist Hospital of Miami are the area's largest employers.
Baptist Health800 Prudential DriveJacksonville, FL 32207Contact: Barbara Chilson,Nurse Recruiter(904) 202-1134Email: [email protected] site: http://www.e-baptisthealth.comPositions available: Immediate Florida opportunities for RNs.
Brandon Regional Hospital119 Oakfield DriveBrandon, FL 33511Contact: Sue Karpinski, Nurse Recruiter(800) 759-0370Fax: (813) 571-5296Email: [email protected] site: http://www.brandonregionalhospital.comPositions available: Nurse Managers-Peri Anesthesia Services; Critical Care RNs, ED RNs, Med/Surg RNs, PCU/CVPCU RNs, Labor & Delivery RNs.
HealthSouth - LargoContact: [email protected]: (727) 588-1879
HealthSouth - Spring HillContact: [email protected]: (352) 592-4283
HealthSouth - Panama CityContact: [email protected]: (850) 914-8788
HealthSouth - SunriseContact: [email protected]: (954) 746-1561
HealthSouth - Sea PinesContact: [email protected]: (321) 952-6500
HealthSouth - Treasure Coast Rehab HospitalContact: [email protected]: (772) 563-4074
Lakeland Regional Medical Center1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd.Attn: Employment ServicesLakeland, FL 33805Contact: Employment Services(800) 355-5762Fax: (863) 284-1892Web site: http://www.lrmc.com
Orlando Regional Healthcare1414 Kuhl Avenue, MP-113Orlando, FL 32806Contact: K. Eldridge, Recruiter(312) 841-8678 or (800) 327-8402, ext.841-8678Fax: (407) 237-6374Email: [email protected] site: http://hr.orlandoregional.org
SHANDS HealthCareP.O. Box 100337Gainesville, FL 32610Contact: Jennifer Pennacchia(800) 325-0367, ext. 85388Fax: (352) 265-7948Email: [email protected] site: http://www.shands.orgPositions available: RNs, New TraumaUnit opening, Med/Surg IMC Unit.
Winter Haven Hospital200 Avenue F, NEWinter Haven, FL 33881Contact: Lisa Whidden, RN, BA(863) 291-6021Fax: (863) 292-4075Email: [email protected] site: http://www.winterhavenhospital.comPositions available: RNs, Staff Nurses, Acute Care, Critical Care, OR/PACU/Endoscopy; Charge Nurses, Progressive Care, Telem