Being a nurse for the Mouse

[dzy76]

Does anyone know about the nursing positions for Walt Disney World? Does it pay enough to support yourself living there?

I currently an ICU-RN in Oregon. I'm working on my BSN online, so I can do that anywhere. My dream has always been to work for Disney somewhere close to the parks. No way can I afford California (not even sure I want to live there anyway). I loved Florida the three times I have been there.

My life has taken a complete turn in the last few months, I'm getting divorced after 32 years of marriage and now I finally have the opportunity to think and do for myself! My kids are grown and my parents are gone. I have no reason why I can't move!!

I have no idea of what neighborhoods are best back there for a single, over 50, adult. I don't know anyone specifically in Florida, either. But, I feel like I want a real change. A new start, and a move forward to my own dreams.

Thanks for any input!

 

[MickeySP]

Have you been there in August? Coming from a cold climate I recommend no permanent decisions. Try it out first.

 

[minnie mum]

It's not easy, I think, to get a nursing job with the Mouse. Besides the park first aid centers, they have them doing Occupational Health work as well. I've been idly watching the jobs postings for a couple of years, off and on, and have only seen one or two postings for a nurse. More for Med Assistants.

But there are several hospitals in the area, if you are thinking of relocating. Florida salaries for RNs aren't particularly generous, being below the national average, according to this: http://www.topregisterednurse.com/salary/florida/

 

[dzy76]

I do get the temperature change lol. If I can handle being inside cause its cold, I can handle being inside cause its hot!! My sister lived in North Carolina, and she gets the humidity thing back there. I'm sure I can handle it.

I figured getting on at Disney might be hard. I'll probably end up working at a hospital or similar until I can retire. Maybe I can work per diem for Disney and someday get on to regular status. Heck, I don't care, I'll sweep the streets to get my foot in the door!

I don't want to focus on how hard it will be, life is hard. But more focus on what I can learn about the areas around there that would be safer, friendly, not to far to commute, etc.

dzy76

 

[sonnyjane]

I don't want to focus on how hard it will be, life is hard. But more focus on what I can learn about the areas around there that would be safer, friendly, not to far to commute, etc.

dzy76

Just know that the posters here aren't saying those things to be negative, but to be realistic. I'd say we get a "Want to move to Disney!" post every two or three days here on the boards. Many people here are locals to that area and have seen plenty uproot everything and fall flat on their faces. Admittedly your skills as a nurse give you a bit of a leg up compared to those that are throwing their careers away in the hopes of being a part-time cast member making $9 an hour, but I do agree you may have to work for a local hospital as opposed to Disney.

 

[Sehsun]

I have heard that it is hard to get in as an RN at WDW. :/

Perhaps you could apply to several hospitals in Orlando initially. Then once you've worked there for a bit, keep checking the Disney jobs website for an opening.

Some good areas that aren't a bad commute to WDW are Windermere, Winter Garden, Dr. Phillips, and Celebration. Florida Hospital has a location in Celebration, and they are also opening a location in Winter Garden next year (according to their website). Health Central is in Ocoee, which is not a bad drive from Winter Garden. Dr. Phillips Hospital is obviously located in Dr. Phillips. I was very pleased with their care when I was a patient.

Best wishes!

 

[dzy76]

Just know that the posters here aren't saying those things to be negative, but to be realistic. I'd say we get a "Want to move to Disney!" post every two or three days here on the boards. Many people here are locals to that area and have seen plenty uproot everything and fall flat on their faces. Admittedly your skills as a nurse give you a bit of a leg up compared to those that are throwing their careers away in the hopes of being a part-time cast member making $9 an hour, but I do agree you may have to work for a local hospital as opposed to Disney.

Oh of course! I know it was meant well. I can imagine that a lot of people dream of working for Disney. I have since I was about 10 and went to Disneyland the first time!! And believe me, I don't take relocating lightly. But sometimes, sometimes, dreams can become reality. And if we don't hang on to that possibility, then what are dreams really about? After all, as Walt said, "sometimes it's fun to do the impossible".

 

[dzy76]

I have heard that it is hard to get in as an RN at WDW. :/

Perhaps you could apply to several hospitals in Orlando initially. Then once you've worked there for a bit, keep checking the Disney jobs website for an opening.

Some good areas that aren't a bad commute to WDW are Windermere, Winter Garden, Dr. Phillips, and Celebration. Florida Hospital has a location in Celebration, and they are also opening a location in Winter Garden next year (according to their website). Health Central is in Ocoee, which is not a bad drive from Winter Garden. Dr. Phillips Hospital is obviously located in Dr. Phillips. I was very pleased with their care when I was a patient.

Best wishes!

Thanks for the response. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm hoping that next year I can plan a trip and rent a car and drive around a bit and look at some of the area. Maybe visit some of the hospitals, etc.

 

[Micca]

I think it would be better to get a job that pays top dollar for your skills elsewhere in the Orlando area. Then you can go to the parks all you want on your days off.
Once you're settled in you could explore getting a part-time job at WDW.

 

[dzy76]

I think it would be better to get a job that pays top dollar for your skills elsewhere in the Orlando area. Then you can go to the parks all you want on your days off.
Once you're settled in you could explore getting a part-time job at WDW.

This is exactly what I think will happen. I just don't have a clue what areas are what around there. When I've been there, I'm on vacation! Hopefully I will get some ideas on here so that I can research and when I go down next year, spend a few days exploring and really getting a feeling for where I would be most likely to live.

Thanks!

 

[Micca]

This is exactly what I think will happen. I just don't have a clue what areas are what around there. When I've been there, I'm on vacation! Hopefully I will get some ideas on here so that I can research and when I go down next year, spend a few days exploring and really getting a feeling for where I would be most likely to live.

Thanks!

I've seen some advice in the past from Dis-ers who live in the area, I'm sure they'll come forward with some thoughts. Meanwhile, please consider searching the site for some older threads on the topic. As Sonnyjane said above, this is a popular recurring topic on the Dis. If I were a realtor in central FL. I'd consider combing through threads to pick up some potential clients.

 

[mousehockey37]

I'll agree with everyone else. A local hospital in the area is going to be the best way to go. Then, once established, you can look into doing whatever the mouse may have open. If you want to keep with the mantra of not mixing business and pleasure, then you may want to dive into something completely fun and different with the mouse that isn't healthcare related (in my opinion, if Disney was going to wind up being your "fun" job, then I wouldn't want the medical side creeping in and taking over everything, it would detract from the magic of your position with Disney). They'll definitely keep things on file though that you're an RN (poss. a BSN by that time) and that you can be one that jumps into action should a situation warrant it.

 

[jahber]

They are always hiring nurses here in Orlando (my sister is an RN/BSN). The pay isn't always so great, so you may have trouble affording the areas right around Disney. As a local, what I would recommend is looking in the suburbs within about 30 minutes of Disney. It's an easy drive to get to WDW on our toll roads. Specifically I would suggest Lake Nona if you are looking for a medical job. UCF's medical college is out there, as is Nemours. A couple major hospitals are also located downtown, but I wouldn't suggest living near there--sooo expensive.
The very best thing you can do moving to Orlando (with its terrible housing market) is to rent well within your means for a year and do your research on where to live. There are very few "bad" areas once you're out of downtown. It's hard to make a wrong choice if you stick near the toll roads. Good luck! I've lived here all my life (except for a couple of years in Portland), so I know both--and I'd choose Florida any day!

 

[indygirl99]

Does anyone know about the nursing positions for Walt Disney World? Does it pay enough to support yourself living there?

I currently an ICU-RN in Oregon. I'm working on my BSN online, so I can do that anywhere. My dream has always been to work for Disney somewhere close to the parks. No way can I afford California (not even sure I want to live there anyway). I loved Florida the three times I have been there.

My life has taken a complete turn in the last few months, I'm getting divorced after 32 years of marriage and now I finally have the opportunity to think and do for myself! My kids are grown and my parents are gone. I have no reason why I can't move!!

I have no idea of what neighborhoods are best back there for a single, over 50, adult. I don't know anyone specifically in Florida, either. But, I feel like I want a real change. A new start, and a move forward to my own dreams.

Thanks for any input!

They require ICU AND occupational health experience. And the pay is a real shocker coming from Oregon. Think mid 20's My offer was for less than half of what I made in Oregon.

Also the "over 50" will be a disadvantage. When I was offered the job they made a point to mention that "if you can pass the physical requirement to work on a Lifeflight transport team you can handle the rigors of this job". There were several veiled comments about age and the demands of the job.

A better bet would be to take a staff job in one of the hospitals (which will still be a huge pay cut) and take a "fun" job at the mouse.

By the way I declined the offer because the pay would not have allowed me to live in the area and getting hours at another job would have been difficult because of the daily shifting hours.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I don't know anything about nursing or living in Florida but I did see this on Facebook the other day. Thought you may be interested. $10k sign on bonus for rns and relocation allotment as well.

https://srv2.shoutlet.com/service/v2/canvas_wa/558986ea92f488cc09000000

 

[dzy76]

I've seen some advice in the past from Dis-ers who live in the area, I'm sure they'll come forward with some thoughts. Meanwhile, please consider searching the site for some older threads on the topic. As Sonnyjane said above, this is a popular recurring topic on the Dis. If I were a realtor in central FL. I'd consider combing through threads to pick up some potential clients.

I did a search and didn't find much! Maybe it was the way I worded it. Boy good tip for the realtors!

 

[dzy76]

They are always hiring nurses here in Orlando (my sister is an RN/BSN). The pay isn't always so great, so you may have trouble affording the areas right around Disney. As a local, what I would recommend is looking in the suburbs within about 30 minutes of Disney. It's an easy drive to get to WDW on our toll roads. Specifically I would suggest Lake Nona if you are looking for a medical job. UCF's medical college is out there, as is Nemours. A couple major hospitals are also located downtown, but I wouldn't suggest living near there--sooo expensive.
The very best thing you can do moving to Orlando (with its terrible housing market) is to rent well within your means for a year and do your research on where to live. There are very few "bad" areas once you're out of downtown. It's hard to make a wrong choice if you stick near the toll roads. Good luck! I've lived here all my life (except for a couple of years in Portland), so I know both--and I'd choose Florida any day!

Love that you would choose Florida any day!!!! Me too! I probably will be looking to buy a condo or something like that eventually and so yes, renting something for a bit will give me some time to really look at where and what I really want. Thanks for the tip on it being easy to get there with the toll roads! That is one thing we don't have around here!!

 

[dzy76]

They require ICU AND occupational health experience. And the pay is a real shocker coming from Oregon. Think mid 20's My offer was for less than half of what I made in Oregon.

Also the "over 50" will be a disadvantage. When I was offered the job they made a point to mention that "if you can pass the physical requirement to work on a Lifeflight transport team you can handle the rigors of this job". There were several veiled comments about age and the demands of the job.

A better bet would be to take a staff job in one of the hospitals (which will still be a huge pay cut) and take a "fun" job at the mouse.

By the way I declined the offer because the pay would not have allowed me to live in the area and getting hours at another job would have been difficult because of the daily shifting hours.

Yes, I've heard the pay scale is much lower back there. I have it pretty nice here. But, I have no warm beaches, no daily sunshine, no tropic flowers, no outdoor living areas! So... lol. I actually met a nurse who works now with the company that installed our new monitoring system when we built and moved into our new hospital, who worked for Disneyland as a nurse. He loved it. And he told me I would be a shoo-in! ICU experience was all I needed, he said. And I can say, he didn't look like he could run any races, or climb any ropes!! lol. And he was definitely over 50. But, my actual dream job at disney? Now no one laugh --- I want to work as a barista in the Starbucks/Disney on main street!!

 

[Micca]

I did a search and didn't find much! Maybe it was the way I worded it. Boy good tip for the realtors!

Google>"disboards moving to florida You'll find several

 

[dzy76]

Google>"disboards moving to florida You'll find several

Yeah, I think I added the nurse thing in, so maybe that is why I didn't get any. Thanks.