Gulf Coast Florida?

Any opinions, tips, info regarding Gulf coast Florida opportunities?  Tampa/St Pete, Ft Myers, Naples???  Good, bad, anything?  

Last winter I had an assignment in Bradenton, FL at Manatee Memorial. Nice location. About 20 miles from the beaches. Good hiking at the nearby state parks and nature preserves.

Hello:)

I am actually from the gulf coast born and raised . The beaches are gorgeous and lots to do outdoors. My company National Staffing is based out of Orlando,Fl so we do a lot of placements throughout Fl. I would love to assist you in finding an assignment on the Gulf coast, if your still interested. Please feel free to contact me at my office (877)704-1638 with any questions you may have.
Thanks,
Sarah

Keep in mind that Fl can be tuff this time off year, lots of competition.  A lot of travelers like FL going into the winter so it’s pretty saturated.  The bill rates can be really bad; it helps if you stick to counties that have a higher per diem rate to make up the difference. 


                          

Jeremy, 
Please explain how choosing a county with a higher per diem rate can make up the difference for a really bad bill rate.  Which county is best?  

I believe Jeremy is saying to keep in mind that each county has a different per diem rate and the higher the per diem rate, the more $$ you are allowed to earn tax free. So if you were to take a look at two jobs in different counties with similar hourly rates, the county with a higher allowable per diem rate would be more beneficial, more $ in your pocket...that is if everything else is comparable between the two (hourly wage, benefits, etc.)

Let me know if you need assistance with placement!
Tom@centraltherapytravel.com
Cell:315-727-4676

I took a Summer assignment in Sarasota, Florida and loved it. I had no idea how beautiful it really is. The white sand beaches will take your breath away and the strange birds there amused me! I frequently went to Tampa and some people even commuted from Tampa to Sarasota for work. The drive there is fabulous-a highway over water-and goes fast (under an hour). I loved being there in the Summer as well. Yes, it was hot and steamy, but I like it that way. It wasn't full of snowbirds, who I saw trickling down come September, and my pay was good. They also don't have state taxes, so even if they pay might seem lower at first glance, for me anyways, it worked out to be exactly the same as a previous position in a midwest state. 

Thanks Tom that is exactly what I meant.  And tikitarita is correct about the taxes.  That certainly helps with the cash flow.  Sarasota also has a great per diem rate.  From January to April your tax free portion of your check is $29.50 or $1,180 a week.  For the rest of the year it’s $25.03 or $1,001.20 a week.  Not to shabby…   
 
You can find the per diem rates in FL with this link: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=238749,00.html

I was at Gulf Coast in Ft Myers last winter, Lee Memorial Health Systems, great assignment, beach was great.  Had to take the PBDS but I have had to take it 4 times now so not a big deal.  There were a ton of travelers there last year, the typical Florida rush.  I would absolutely have gone back but I am from the other coast and driving home across the state once a week gets pretty old after 3 months so I am sticking to the East Coast this year.

I took a seasonal OT position with Lee Memorial, hospital not agency.  The pay is all taxed ;-(   .....but as Tikitarita says, being here is worth the "sacrifice"!  

I did a 6mo seasonal contract from Nov thru April last winter in Naples at Physicians Regional on Pine Ridge in the OR.  I loved the hospital, the OR staff, the town, and the beaches.  I would be back there this winter if my daughter wasn't expecting our first grandchild.