Overview: Nursing Jobs in Florida
As the third most populated state in the country, Florida has a lot of people who need healthcare. That’s where you come in. Looking for nursing jobs in Florida? Whether you're interested in full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, per diem, or even travel nursing jobs in Florida, we can show you what this state has to offer you both on and off the clock.
Quick Facts About Nurse Jobs in Florida
- Does Florida belong to the Nurse Licensure Compact? Yes. For general laws about nursing in this state, read our article on the Florida Nurse Practice Act.
- How much do nurses make in Florida? The average annual salaries for nurses in this state vary based on experience and education:
- NP salary in Florida: $128,340
- RN salary in Florida: $88,200
- LPN salary in Florida: $60,320
- CNA salary in Florida: $38,320
- Where can I learn more about requirements for Florida nursing jobs? Check out the Florida Board of Nursing for the latest information regarding applications, verifications, and more. You can also read our article that breaks down the Florida nursing license renewal process into three easy steps.
- What are the most populous cities in the state of Florida? Nursing jobs are plentiful in these five bustling cities:
- Jacksonville
- Miami
- Tampa
- Orlando
- St. Petersburg
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Florida
More than 23 million people live in Florida — only California and Texas have more residents. Florida is also the state with the second-largest population of people ages 65 and over (21%) — only Maine has a larger proportion of seniors. The median age of Florida residents is 43, compared to the nation’s median of 39. One factor affecting Florida’s median age? It’s the state where most retirees relocate to.
Reports indicate a great need for skilled people like yourself to fill common positions like:
- CRNA jobs in Florida
- Nurse midwife jobs in Florida
- Nurse practitioner jobs in Florida
- RN jobs in Florida
- LPN nursing jobs in Florida
- CNA jobs in Florida
- CMA jobs in Florida
- Surgical tech jobs in Florida
- HHA jobs in Florida
- Medication aide jobs in Florida
- Caregiver jobs in Florida
- Student nurse jobs in Florida
Be sure cultural competency is in your skill set before applying to nursing jobs — Florida is a diverse state. Approximately 4.6% of residents identify as LGBT, and 24% of that population has children. Around 77% of residents here are White, 27% are Hispanic or Latino, 17% are Black, 3% are Asian, and 2.5% are two or more races.
There are numerous types of Hispanics and Latinos in Florida, with the largest group being Cubans — Puerto Ricans, South Americans, Mexicans, and Dominicans are the other main groups. More than 30% of households speak a language other than English in this state, so if you're multilingual, be sure to include it on your nursing resume. It can give you an advantage over job seekers who don't have this skill.
Working in Florida
Florida has the fourth-largest economy in the country, fueled primarily by tourism. The Sunshine State welcomed 135 million visitors in 2023. Other leading industries include real estate and development, aviation and aerospace, clean energy, and defense and homeland security.
If you want to pursue public health positions, the Florida Department of Health has myriad programs and services that prioritize the well-being of residents. These include resources for immunizations, infectious diseases, overdose prevention, chronic diseases, and women’s and men’s health.
You can also choose to work at some of the leading medical systems and hospitals in Florida, such as
- AdventHealth Orlando
- Baptist Health Care
- Baptist Health Jacksonville
- Baptist Health South Florida
- Cleveland Clinic
- Jackson Memorial Hospital
- Mayo Clinic
- Orlando Health Regional Medical Center
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital
- SCA Health
- Tampa General Hospital
- UF Health Shands Hospital
- University of Miami Health System
If you instead prefer post-acute nurse jobs in Florida, there are nearly 700 licensed nursing homes and over 3,000 licensed assisted living facilities throughout the state.
Wondering how long it might take you to get to work? The average commute time is 28.5 minutes. Nearly 70% of people drive solo to their jobs, 16% work from home, around 10% carpool, and 1% take mass transit.
Florida has a number of childcare options that you can rely on while you’re on duty. Same goes for your pets. Avail yourself of one of the many pet sitters to keep your furry pals happy until you get home.
Living in Florida
There’s no doubt about it: Florida has many gorgeous beaches that beckon year-round. You’ve got your choice from the glam of Miami Beach and Palm Beach to the family-friendly Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach — and everything in between. In addition to the 825 miles of beaches, there are over 7,700 lakes. In fact, you’re never more than 60 miles from a body of water.
If sand isn’t your thing, there are plenty of state and national parks where you can go hiking, biking, camping, horseback riding, and much more. There are also caverns, natural springs, and botanical gardens to enjoy. Make your way down to the Florida Keys and check out the only underwater state park, John Pennekamp State Park, and explore its lively coral reefs.
Don’t forget the other kinds of parks, those of the amusement variety. Central Florida is where you’ll find the big names like Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, Universal Orlando, and Legoland, but also lesser-known attractions like Spook Hill, Dinosaur World, and Fun Spot America.
Culture and entertainment hot-spots abound throughout the state. Fine art selections include the Dali Museum (St. Petersburg), Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts (Eatonville), and the Norton Museum of Art (West Palm Beach). For performing arts, you can check out the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, and the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami. If you’re looking for nightlife, South Beach and Miami have well-known party scenes, but there’s also plenty of fun to be had at the clubs in Tampa, Jacksonville, Key West, and Fort Lauderdale.
If you hate cold weather, this is where you want to be. The warm and humid climate in Florida is a draw for many (we’re talking zero inches of snow per year). It’s not nicknamed the Sunshine State for nothing — Florida sees more than 235 sunny days annually, but, ironically, it gets more average rainfall than the rest of the country. Expect summer highs of 91 degrees in July and winter lows of 49 degrees in January.
Florida’s cost of living varies widely depending on where you reside. It can range from 8% lower to 21% higher than the national average, but as a state, it’s only 2% greater. One huge upside? Residents don’t pay income tax.
Find Great Nurse Jobs in Florida on IntelyCare
Want to find the best-fitting nursing jobs in Florida? We can help. Find out how IntelyCare can match you with jobs in your specialty area and desired facility type.