A city known for its preservation of historic buildings and as the home of the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, is a wonderful place to evolve your career as a nurse or nursing professional. Sitting near the eponymous creek, “Hogtown” has much to offer students and business owners, as well as medical professionals who work and play in its subtropical climate. If you are starting your search for nursing jobs in Gainesville, FL, read on to learn more about what one of the best places to live in Florida has to offer.
A Few Facts About Nursing Jobs in Gainesville, FL
- Is Florida a compact state? Yes.
- What is the RN salary in Gainesville? The average salary for RN jobs in Gainesville is $80,940 compared to the national average RN salary of $89,010.
- Where can I find information about RN licensing requirements in Florida? You can find information about your Florida state nursing license on the Florida Board of Nursing website. If you are just renewing your license, don’t forget to review the steps to bring yourself up to date.
Learn More About Nursing Jobs in Gainesville, FL
Located in the northern part of the state, Gainesville is the 13th largest city in Florida. No matter if you are looking for RN, LPN, or CNA, jobs, you’ll have opportunities for full-time, part-time, contract, and per diem positions with the many types of hospitals, nursing homes, and academic employers that thrive in Gainesville.
Your nursing resume and cover letter showing cultural competency skills will be especially valued Gainesville. The population of Gainesville is diverse: About 21% of residents are Black or African American, 12% are Hispanic or Latino, and 6% are Asian.
Perhaps due to the students on the University of Florida campus, the city of Gainesville is surprising youthful for Florida (an older state) with a median age of just over 26 years old. However, there is still a wide patient population for nurses who like to care for both geriatric and pediatric patients. About 10% of the population is over the age of 65, with those in the 5–14 age group making up just over 9% of the residents. Women outnumber men 51% to 48%.
If your family needs some care while you’re at work, Gainesville has many options for preschool as well as afterschool programs and learning activities. Alachua County even provides a great way to search for childcare that might be a good fit for your family. If your kids are the furry, four-legged kind and you need some pet care while you are on shift, that’s easy to find too.
Working in Gainesville, FL
The strong market for nursing jobs in Gainesville, FL, may be due in part to the fact that the healthcare is a key employer in the area. The main industries in Gainesville include education, government, healthcare, retail, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Food, agriculture, and construction are also major players.
Since healthcare is an important industry in Gainesville (and in Florida as a whole), there are some well-known hospitals to choose from if you are interested in acute care. The proximity to the University of Florida’s large medical center also provides great opportunities for nursing jobs in the area. Some of the main hospitals in the Gainesville metro include:
- UF Health Shands Hospital
- North Florida Regional Medical Center
- HCA Florida North Florida Hospital
- Select Specialty Hospital - Gainesville
However, acute care is not the only choice for nurses working in Gainesville. For example, there are 11 nursing homes in the Gainesville area alone. Post-acute care can be a great option for nursing professionals who would like to build longer-term relationships with their patients.
Getting to your Gainesville nursing job is going to be a little easier than it might be in other major Florida metros. The average commute time is just around 23 minutes, compared to the national average commute of 27.6 minutes. Most commuters drive to work (85%), some carpool (10%), and only a few (about 3%) take mass transit.
Living in Gainesville, FL
When you are ready for some work-life balance, there are many options to recharge once you’re off the clock. As the home of the University of Florida, this college town will always offer an opportunity for sporting events, lectures, music, nightlife, and other cultural benefits that come from proximity to a university. But there is even more to Gainesville.
If you are a lover of science or nature, take a look at the Museum of Natural History, visit Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park (located in an actual sinkhole), swim at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, or check out the kind of wildlife only Florida can offer at the Lubee Bat Conservancy.
If exploring history is your kind of way to spend an afternoon, visit a historical site like the Haile Homestead, known for its “talking walls” featuring writing from family members and enslaved persons covering nearly every wall and closet in the entire home. Or take a stroll through nearby Micanopy, Florida’s oldest inland town (est. 1780).
If you are interested in getting a great meal, of course Gainesville can provide options. The food scene is diverse and a bit different than in Tampa or Orlando. From sushi to BBQ to fresh seafood to a locally favored Cuban bakery, Gainesville has as a lot to offer a discerning — or maybe just a hungry — diner.
If you have done the food, the hikes, the museums, and the bats, there is still more waiting for busy nursing professionals who are looking for a chance to unwind. If you love music, Gainesville has some unusual options, starting with the carillon concert on the UF campus, the Free Friday Concert Series at Bo Diddley Plaza, and don’t forget the annual Tom Petty Weekend, celebrating the music of one of the city’s favorite sons.
These many outdoor activities are enjoyed year-round courtesy of northern Florida’s climate. The summers are long (and pretty hot), and the winters are short and cool. The temperature over the year varies from 44 degrees to 90 degrees, and rarely gets below 30 degrees or above 94 degrees. If you like warm weather, Gainesville if your kind of town.
All that outdoor living may be a bit more affordable than you’d expect. With an average cost of living only 2% higher than the national average, and utilities and groceries that are a bit less expensive, it may pay to consider taking the next step in your nursing career in Gainesville.
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