Big Decision Please HELP!!

[Jorge Rivero]

I have 2 offers in two different specialties OR & ER Trauma ....if pay wasn’t a factor I would not even think twice and choose ER trauma. I’m relocating for both and there is $5 /HR difference in salary. I’m torn! Any advice will help ...I never really considered OR till the offer presented itself and I believe it can be really rewarding ...however I always wanted trauma Er and feel it’s a great opportunity as a new grad ...please help with any insight

[Davey Do]

17 minutes ago, Jorge Rivero said:

I always wanted trauma Er and feel it’s a great opportunity as a new grad

We often know the answer to our own questions, Jorge. Usually, we just need a sounding board.

Congratulations and good luck!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Jorge, they are night and day. OR is a tight-knit team, intense atmosphere and has a strong identity. Same with ER. OR, your patients are mostly asleep and your interaction is mostly with the team. Trauma ER you have a lot of team dynamics plus patient interactions.

Both are great environments. If you are tempted by both, compare the cost of living in the two areas. That extra $5/hr may actually still be making you less money overall if rents and cost of living are high.

[Cowboyardee]

Its typically easier to transfer into OR nursing after a few years in another specialty (meaning that if you maintain your contacts, you'll still most likely be able to get hired) than it is to transition out of the OR after a few years in that environment. The OR demands you build a specialized skillset and knowledge base that doesn't apply to many other areas of nursing. The ER skillset is more broadly applicable.

Of course, thats not the only concern, and I've met nurses who started their careers in the OR and still transitioned well to other specialties. But it is harder to do it that way, if keeping your options open is important to you.

[Jorge Rivero]

Appreciate the feedback. I really don't want to be motivated by money and feel the ER is more my style. I feel it allows me the opportunity to advance in a broader scale professionally. Im feeling more confident and thank you!!

[K.Truth, BSN]

When faced with two choices simply toss a coin.

It works not because it settles a question for you.

But because in that brief moment when the coin is in the air,

You suddenly know what you are hoping for.

it’s at the very least.. worth a try.

Good luck. I know how hard difficult decisions can be.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

3 minutes ago, K.Truth said:

But because in that brief moment when the coin is in the air,

You suddenly know what you are hoping for.

I have always loved this quote, because 99% of the time its true.

[Nunya, BSN]

One OT shift every two weeks will help make up that deficit, and I can't imagine any trauma ER that doesn't need people to work OT. Plus (as others have said) it'll be easier to transition later should you choose to.

[NurseLizabeeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

5 hours ago, Elaine M said:

One OT shift every two weeks will help make up that deficit, and I can't imagine any trauma ER that doesn't need people to work OT. Plus (as others have said) it'll be easier to transition later should you choose to.

Great idea! Especially a weekend shift.

[StrwbryblndRN]

Completely agree with K.Truth. Happens to me all the time. Granted it is when I pose an either/or question to my husband. End up knowing exactly what I want after I ask but before he gives me the answer.

[ecoburn]

On 1/9/2020 at 8:44 AM, K.Truth said:

When faced with two choices simply toss a coin.

It works not because it settles a question for you.

But because in that brief moment when the coin is in the air,

You suddenly know what you are hoping for.

That is great. I’ve never heard that before. So true.

[AlwaysLearning247, BSN]

It’s not always about the money (although it is tempting). I would go where your heart desires. You can get great experience in the field you love and take that experience to another hospital and make more money in the future. Good luck!