What is more important to you in a job...money or environment?

[FROGGYLEGS, LPN]

When you look for a job or when you accepted your job, do you choose the position based on salary or how you feel you would enjoy working there? What do you base your job choices on?

At the moment I have a position that pays very well, but I absolutely hate it. I have turned my resignation in. I am looking for something that I would enjoy doing. The money is no longer my biggest consideration.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I definitely care more about the quality of the work environment than the cash. Life is too short to spend it being miserable -- even if I were to be a little richer.

I need to believe in the work that I am doing -- that I am doing something worthwhile and making good use of my abilities. If there is a mis-match between the type of work that I am being asked to do and the type of work that I feel prepared to do, I don't tolerate that very well. I need to feel that I am capable of doing a good job.

I also need to respect the people I work with and feel that they are basically nice people who are doing their part to accomplish our mission. Basic courtesy and consideration means a lot to me, too.

I hope you find a position that better suits your needs.

llg

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Actually I do work where the money is right now but that means we do not have the same staffing issues that every other LTC in this area does.And that improves the environment for us all..I KNOW that the residents on my unit got proper care at the end of the day-I left my last job because I knew they were getting minimal attention....I find benefits more important then salary now...I am loving my paid holidays,personal days and vacation days......

[FROGGYLEGS, LPN]

Wow, I like your post. Those are my opinions exactly. Hopefully I can find a position something like that.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

The problem is do you really know about the environment until you work there? I took a job I wanted based on the job description. The money I was offered was the exact same thing I was offered at two different hospitals, so the money was a moot point.

Now the question is why do you stay at a job, is it for the money or the environment? Right now for me it's both. I know that if I left my job I would take a pay cut as I'm nearly maxed out. So job hopping isn't attractive, I would have to have a good reason to leave. That's also one of the reasons I stay on nights right now, is the extra money (among other reasons).

But if the environment was bad enough I would leave regardless. I left one position in this hospital because I didn't like the people thinking I would get a paycut. But the manager that took me on was decent and kept me at my same rate of pay.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I've learned that all the money in the world doesn't compensate for a lousy workplace.

That said, I think I'm pretty much in the best of both worlds with my current position..........I make an excellent wage for this neck of the woods, AND I like where I work and the people I work with. I like my shift, the opportunities for advancement, and the variety of work. I think I get a fair shake from the powers that be, and I'm rarely overwhelmed with my work load (although that has a lot to do with working 8-hour shifts rather than 12's.....I figure I can do almost ANYTHING for eight hours.) And our benefits are pretty decent---with our health insurance, I pay only $5-20 for my prescription medications, and nothing at all for doctor's visits.

With things going downhill for health care in general and nurses in particular, I consider myself lucky to be where I am, and unless something changes radically, I expect to be with this organization in one capacity or another until I retire. :)

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Environment, definitely environment :chuckle