Salary and job change

[sparkplug]

A year ago I completed my BSN and was just offered a part time job in case management. They require a BSn for this position, the issue, it is a 3.00 an hour pay cut. What do you all think? The plus side is that I would get away from the bedside and at my age (50) I know I will need to move in a few years to a less physical job.

[llg, PhD, RN]

It is quite common for jobs that don't require nights, weekends, holidays, and physical labor (or at least not as much as hospital staff nurse positions) to pay less. The amount of education required is only one factor that determines the pay scale -- and in nursing education usually doesn't count for much. The "popularity" of the position is a big determinant of compensation packages. Jobs that everyone wants often pay less than you think because the employer can attract good people without paying a lot.

If you think the job is a good fit for you and that you will be treated well by your employer, I would not let the lower pay scare you away. At our age (and I am also 50 years old), we need jobs that we can continue to do until retirement. It's better to take a pay cut now and have a good job for as long as you need it ... than to stay in a higher paying job that you will have to leave before you are ready to retire.

...just my opinion ...

Good luck,

llg

[sparkplug]

Thanks for the reply. Update is that I met with the VP of nursing, my unit manager and the Staff Dev. coordintator and we are negotiating a salary.

[LydiaNN]

I moved away from bedside nursing when my son was born, and I've never regretted it. I read these threads about the physical and mental demands, and I wonder how people do it. I make much less money than I would if I had stayed in the hospital, but you learn to live within your means pretty easily. I did, anyway. I highly recommend it.