[sydnesue]

Looking for friendly hospitals in southern Florida to travel to for winter? Anyone been there and can give me info on hospitals? SICU or ICU maybe ER. Couple I have been looking at are JFK in Atlantis, Plantation General, Palm Beach Gardens Medical center, or St. Lucie in Port St Lucie. Thanks

[AmandaWIRN]

I'm currently on assignment in the ER at Northwest Medical Center in Margate, FL. I've only been here a week so far, so it's kind of soon to say if I like it or not, but let me know if you haven any questions about it!

[sydnesue]

There are open positions there with one of the travel agencies I am talking with. What is your nurse to patient ratio? Do they get traumas there? Do they have an SICU? Why did you choose Northwest? Was the money better? Sorry for all the question, but thank you!!

[AmandaWIRN]

The nurse/patient ratio in the ER is 1:6, not sure about other areas. There's a general ICU, no separate SICU. Small ER, 20 beds, non-trauma, but cardiac/stroke center. Pay is typical for South Florida- I chose it mostly for the location. Margate is a nice community, close enough to the beaches, Ft. Lauderdale, etc.

[stellar]

I don't know if you consider Tampa, South Florida. I am not a traveler yet, but have lived in Tampa 16 years. Hospitals to avoid: University Community Hospital Fletcher and the smaller Carrollwood, at all costs!! St. Joseph's I personally think is a zoo, but I read a post here that someone thought it was great...I can tell you there has been a mass exodus recently from there and it pays the lowest (permanent staff) in the area. Tampa General is a trauma center so it is busy, but the staff have cycles of leaving due to the conditions, right now it is fairly good I hear. They rarely use travelers though for the last few years. Hope this helps.