Take a pay cut to go to office

[AJ1980]

I currently work in Interventional Radiology department and I HATE it. The big factor is the work hours. Of course when I interviewed HR told me it would be m-f morning 8hr shifts and every 4th weekend for call. Well I have been working 5 10-12hr shifts plus every other weekend call. About 4 days of call a week. I was looking at Clinical Research office job which is new area for me but salary would be starting $10k less a year than what I get now. Dr did mention a lot of benefits as no call or weekends, kid friendly, and when get certified higher salary, regular hours during week, and other benefits..hour lunch and paid for and yearly office trips. But it is a pay cut and they offer no benefits. Husband works prn at hospital currently and so I currently carry the benefits but was looking into buying health insurance. We have new baby and toddler and I feel like I never have time to spend with them at all.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Only you can decide if a pay cut that high in addition to purchasing health insurance makes financial sense for your family. Can your husband work full time so he becomes eligible for benefits?

I completely understand the desire to be home with your children more and why this schedule would be appealing. It sounds like your schedule right now is brutal and I don't blame you for wanting to jump at the chance to leave. However, this research position isn't the only M-F day job available to nurses. Positions in outpatient surgery centers, radiology imaging clinics, other office jobs, etc. offer the same schedules and may have higher pay and offer benefits. Don't put yourself and your family in a tough financial spot just because it gets you out of IR. Shop around, and a better job offer may arise.

[Jules A, MSN]

I am motivated by money more than any creature comforts so take this as coming from that perspective. Are you getting OT at your present job? If not and you are putting in those hours the 10 grand less at the new place is insignificant however either way the lack of benefits is a huge cut to your bottom line so please don't discount that value as you decide on an alternate path. I'd also speak to some employees at the new place to confirm the hours because it sounds like your present job initially offered a comparable schedule and that didn't happen for whatever reason. I'd hate to see you change and end up in a similar boat for less money. Good luck.

[AJ1980]

Yes I definitely get OT at current job but it does get taxed to death too. The new job I know is salaried with end of year bonus. But still would be less than what I make. Again was looking at the other benefits and more time with my babies. I like money too but value my time with my children more.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In late 2015 I took a $13,000 annual pay cut to accept my first nursing position away from the floor. It has been worth it to me.

Prior to the job I currently work, I was a house supervisor at an acute physical rehab hospital. I grew increasingly burned out in the context of hating everything about the job except the competitive pay. My physical and mental health suffered.

I now work from home with no contact with patients, emotional families or testy doctors. I only see my coworkers once or twice a month. This has been wondrous for my psyche, so I will continue to accept the pay cut in exchange for the absence of any direct patient care.

[Jules A, MSN]

Yes I definitely get OT at current job but it does get taxed to death too.

Remember although your larger checks due to OT are taxed higher it is unlikely they are pushing you into a higher tax bracket so its all the same at the end of the year.

[RiskManager]

Be sure to run the numbers first on health insurance: covering two adults and two children is probably going to run into the hundreds of dollars per month.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Is the $10k paycut from your base salary, or accounting for all the OT and call pay you get in IR?

[AJ1980]

From base salary.

[AJ1980]

Trying to decide if worth taking cut in salary to have more flexibility and learn new area of nursing. But I understand I need money to survive as well.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Your babies are only young once.

[SmilingBluEyes]

What about your husband? Any way he can work more than PRN so you can cut back? I agree with an above post; the kids are only young once. I am glad I spent a lot of time with mine, making very little money when they were young. I have no regrets and got to be there for all their "firsts". So worth it.