Been an RN for 1 year now, would you change jobs?

[tennesseern18]

I am an RN (ADN) from rural Tennessee and graduated May 2018. I work for a smaller hospital (less than 100 beds) that is in with a large hospital group in the acute care setting with some emergency background. I have BLS/ACLS certifications, and will be going on maternity leave in September. I am not looking for a job change immediately, but do know I am not interested in changing jobs until I am well established with the baby routine. This will be my 3rd and last child, so family is a big deal to me. At my current facility there are usually 10-12 patients at a time (most being totals), and techs on 3 out of 14 shifts weekly and only when she isn't called off. I am NOT by any means above doing ADLs, feeding a patient, bathroom duty, etc. However, at $23/hr and having to stay over constantly to finish charting because of being understaffed, beginning to wonder if there is a better solution for our family. Even, if I left and came back down the road so I would be compensated better for doing so much. I am fairly certain this isn't the job I want to be at forever, just been at this hospital for 5 years and began my RN career here 1 year ago. I do not hate my job, but do not love it; I feel under-compensated for all that we are expected to do here. The biggest thing that keeps me from looking at other options is that this is the only hospital for 30-45 minutes.

I am really looking for advice on how to manage your nursing career to get the most joy out of a job, but also be compensated according to your duties? For someone in this situation, would you take a PRN job to test waters and when you find something you love, seek a full time position? I'm in my early 20s, so have a lot of career left to go, and I just want to find a job I am truly happy with and that I feel like I am appreciated in! I have never ventured out really, worked here since I graduated high school and don't want to do anything I'll regret!

Pros of current facility: 5 minutes from home, know the staff personally; and usually able to swap around fairly easily in emergency cases; I have had a dayshift position since mid-June

Cons of current facility: A lot of understaffing; currently mandatory overtime; administration will test us occasionally with unsafe situations; management constantly on us about patient satisfaction but we are doing the best we can given our resources; and what I feel to be low pay for all that we do; limited departments (ED, surgery, and Med-Surg)

[caliotter3]

I see you needing to physically move in order to find better compensation as well as a better work situation. I also see the possibility, major employer upheavals not happening, the ability to complete your entire career at this hospital. I think I would stick it out for the near future and discuss with your husband the possibility of the family relocating down the road to better your career.

[EDNURSE20, BSN]

I think this is easy. You about to have another baby and you don’t hate your job. Stay where you are, get your home life sorted. And when your ready start looking around at options.

You have plenty of time for your career and to earn more money. You said family was really important, so focus on them for now. Your career will follow.