Hi all, I’m back to bother you again! I posted a few weeks ago about taking a break from work due to issues with bipolar disorder. I spoke to my manager and charge nurse and they want me to come back, even after learning of my diagnosis. They’re aware of the mistakes I’ve made at work and say none are major and it’s common while getting used to a new job. They think I’m exaggerating how bad I am at the job, which may be true because I catastrophize.
it’s very nice that they want me back, but I think trying to keep up in a fast paced PACU is too much for me. I struggle to get patients out before another one comes out and the stress is bad. I’m thinking of working at a clinic for the elderly that looks like a perfect fit; slower pace and lower acuity. The pay is MUCH lower (practically half!) but my partner and I live for almost free with her mom (don’t hate, Bay Area is crazy and we do the cooking/cleaning, house is paid off!) Has anyone taken a big pay cut and not regretted it? I’m learning money isn’t everything! Thanks for your feedback!!
Yes!! I only have a few months of acute care experience and about 7 years of non acute care experience. I do not have the same level of skills or job stability as a nurse who has years of experience. However, I have a normal work schedule and less stress. You have to do what works for you
Specializes in ER/School/Rural Nursing/Health Department.
I was an ER RN prior to having kids. It was a level 1 trauma facility around 70 minutes from my house. When I decided to go back to working after my youngest entered preschool I wanted something closer to home. I took a position through our local health department as a school nurse serving three small rural schools. I work 730-4, three days a week, with around a 15 minute commute each way. Pay is of course less (though with covid I can pick up additional hours both at the health department and my schools).
BUT I don't work holidays, weekends, the majority of the Summer. I have a huge flexibility to switch days, come in late (like when I took kiddo to K this fall), etc. Is there a daily adrenaline rush? Nope. Do I practice high level RN skills? Nope. I still have fractures, medications, special needs. Sometimes they just need a "mom" to talk things out.
I never thought of this as my career path. It isn't the thing that got me into nursing in the first place. As I've grown relationships with the kids and teaching staff though-this is where I'm supposed to be right now. Plus, my kids and family benefit from having a working mom that isn't stressed, working 50 hours a week (and commuting over 2 hours a day), worried about being called in for additional overtime due to another staffing shortage.
Listen to your heart and gut. They will guide you. Since money isn't a major driving force for survival, write down the pros and cons of each if you truly can't decide. Sometimes it takes seeing it on paper to gain clarity
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Yes, and I went through quite a bit of soul-searching and had guilt/inadequacy feelings to work through. Unfortunately, there was no allnurses at the time, so I felt like I was the only person going through such a dilemma.
Was it worth it? Absolutely. I missed bedside nursing, but my idealized version of that, not the reality I faced on the hospital unit.
I was a manager in a home care agency making extremely good money, with bonuses. However, we had a toxic work environment and a boss that was verbally abusive to all of us on our level (directly under her). The stress, and horrible environment made me start looking, and I left to become a school nurse. I took a $25,000 pay cut and have absolutely no regrets about it. If I had to make the same decision again, I would. I have been a school nurse for 18 years, and have no desire to change jobs.
Yes. I left management and am learning how to circulate in the OR at a much smaller hospital. I took a big pay cut....and have absolutely ZERO regrets.
Yes - left the hospital for a school nurse position, when I first left it was for a PT position so it was a huge paycut when I first started. Best career decision for me and my family.
I now make a decent salary for what I do, nurses in my district are compensated well compared to alot of others around my state and I am 100% happier at this job - no regrets at all.
I did. ? I started working at a water park in their first aid in 2012. Much less stressful than the hospital. At the end of that year, I left my hospital job. I still have my nursing job at the theme parks. It’s lower pay than the hospital, but I understand because it’s way less stress than the hospital, and my job duties are different.
I took on a PRN position at the hospital, the job I had been wanting since nursing school, so it’s a pretty good balance so far. The best of both worlds.
Mental health is so important when choosing a job. To me, the pay cut was worth it.
~Shrek~
347 Posts
Yes!! I only have a few months of acute care experience and about 7 years of non acute care experience. I do not have the same level of skills or job stability as a nurse who has years of experience. However, I have a normal work schedule and less stress. You have to do what works for you