Floor nursing to Clinic?

Q_vick03 · Jun 13, 2015

I have an opportunity to work at cancer clinic, but I'm not sure if I want to. Would working five 8hr shift be better than three 12hr shifts? The clinic is also a 40 minute commute where my job now is only a 17 minute commute. I'm also afraid of a pay cut bc I work nights and get that shift diff. There's so much to think about...but the job at the clinic is ultimately what I actually want to do as a nurse. HELP!

How much of experience do you need to work in a clinic or degree?

msnorth · Jun 14, 2015

I'm not sure how much experience is required but I've worked a year on my floor & have my chemo certification

DoeRN · Jun 14, 2015

I work in a clinic and took a pay cut. I'll never consider floor nursing again. Really don't like working 5 days a week but I'm getting use to it. There are a lot of things to consider.

lexieannie · Dec 16, 2015

I'm in the same predicament.. I've been a night RN for 2 years now and am afraid that I'll get a big pay cut if I were to go to a clinic. What did you end up choosing?

Everline · Dec 16, 2015

I'm curious as to what the OP decided. I just left floor nursing to work in a clinic. I did lose the differential pay, but the clinic matched my base pay and I have other perks that I did not have at the hospital. It's too early to say whether I will love my new job, but I know I have no desire to go back to floor nursing, regardless. I am gladly giving up the differentials for a much better quality of life.

annabash_rn · Dec 16, 2015

40 minute commute doesn't sound toooo terrible. Definitely longer than your current commute, but still not that bad. I currently work M-F 8 to 5 and dislike it. It is nice to have weekends off, but I feel like I get nothing done during the week. But that's just personal preference.

The pay cut might be worth it if you ultimately want to work in a clinic. You could possibly continue to work PRN at your current job, so that's an option to help with the difference in pay. And also good to keep your foot in the door in case the clinic job turns out to not be what you thought. Best of luck to you!

allnurses Guide · Dec 29, 2015

I left my floor nursing job a few months ago for a 9-4 M-F clinic type of job. I was hard core in favor of 12 hour shifts. Thought I loved them. Turns out I didn't really. Working just 8 hour days is really really nice in comparison. I have time to work out. Plan meals. Cook. Read a book. I don't spend my days off recovering from my shifts.

I actually got a pay raise, not a cut. When they wanted to know my salary expectations I factored in what I had been making yearly and did not give an hourly amount. I am salaried now and was offered 10% more than I had been making yearly as a floor nurse. I also negotiated to have my tuition reimbursement carry over to the new job and thus got a hiring bonus.

I miss a lot of things about floor nursing, but the things I do not miss at all are heavy enough to mean I will likely never go back. I am enjoying my reduced stress level and my increased spare time and engagement in my family life and marriage. I am also enjoying weekends and holidays off!