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I have been on allnurses for the past 3 years. I changed my username to post this because I don't want it to be completely easy to recognize me...in case some of my co-workers read this site -

Today I was offered a new job in the same department I work in now doing telephone triage, calling patients about lab results, calling in prescriptions, etc. It is a new position they are creating and they have not posted it or told anyone about it - the person hiring wanted to offer it to me first. The pay will be better and similar hours but the flexibility will be non-existent. Right now the job I have is extremely flexible and I like the people I work with but there is no room for growth with the exception of resume building - which I am grateful for. I have been able to add many new skills to my resume this past year so I am much more marketable today compared to even two months ago. I suppose I am looking for some reasonable things to consider because I am torn between better pay and more flexibility.

My instinct is to take the new job because of the money but for some reason I feel very loyal to the other job and feel like I will put them in a bind if I left. Logically, I know that they wouldn't worry about putting me in a bind if they wanted me to go but emotionally this is how I feel. The other thing I am struggling with is what if the new job doesn't work out - then what?

In both jobs there is paperwork and documenting, the job I have now I do have direct patient contact; in the new job there is zero patient contact - lots of phones. Any advice, suggestions, words of warning????

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Can you see yourself not having patient contact? Do you like being glued to a phone? Are the hours worth any cons? I'd seriously write out a pro-con list for both positions, and see what shows up on what list that's most important :)

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

How inflexible is this new job and how much flexability do you have now?

Will you miss patient contact? Is the raise worth it to offset any of the negatives?

IMO, don't worry about being loyal. If you don't take this position, it sounds like someone else in your office will. I doubt they will be feeling guilty.

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Thanks - this is just what I am looking for.

I think I was so flattered that this was offered to me that I can't seem to think.

I will make the pro-con list.

My gut feeling is that I am going to regret not have flexibility - right now I can set my onw hours within reason and I don't have to ask for time off - if I have a dentist appointment I just go and the same with other personal things like play tickets and kid events. However, the job I have now will likely end in May 2012 since it is a grant and they have already told us we won't be getting funding -the current economic climate does not give me the warm fuzzies that another grant will be coming our way.

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However, the job I have now will likely end in May 2012 since it is a grant and they have already told us we won't be getting funding -the current economic climate does not give me the warm fuzzies that another grant will be coming our way.

This was the most important part. If the new position is permanent and you don't take you would be a fool! don't up your lifestyle with the pay increase either. "pay" yourself the same take home and pay off debt with the raise money, if you are debt free then shoot it all to retirement.

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At first I was going to say stay with your current job, because having flexibility like that is great! However , you later mentioned that the job will probably end next may :( because of that, I'd choose the new position for job security.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
At first I was going to say stay with your current job, because having flexibility like that is great! However , you later mentioned that the job will probably end next may :( because of that, I'd choose the new position for job security.

Ditto that. I love having flexibility, but I like being employed too -- if the new job is more secure, I'd go for it!

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

Where will this job be located in relation to the other job? Will you be sitting in an office by yourself all day or will you be near the other nurses? I ask because you said that you enjoy the people you work with. Social stimulation during work is important to job satisfaction for a lot of people. If you are one of those people that need interaction during your work day, it might not be a good move for you to take a job where you will be isolated.

No direct patient contact would be a deal breaker for me.

I'm also wondering why there is more room to move up in this new position?

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TAKE THE JOB!

Triage is going to require you use your brain. Many times they want someone who they believe is a problem solver. You will be surprised at the different skill set it requires.

I believe they are possibly trying to do two things, and if they are coming from the positive, it's that they know that people are going to be unemployed soon. They have a real job and think that you would be good for it - which saves you from being unemployed and means maybe they think you are good at what you do. Sometimes the hush hush has to do with taking valuable people and keeping them, and letting others go.

Knowing that you are good at what you do and have lots to offer a future employer HAS NO BEARING ON YOU FINDING ANOTHER JOB IN THIS ECONOMY!!!

This is me grabbing you and shaking you silly!

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I LOVE phone triage. To me it's like going on a scavenger hunt. I agree with the PP that you really have to have a sharp mind to be good at phone triage.

Knowing that your current job will end in less than a year, I think you would be foolish to turn down this new job, unless you were planning on making a change and looking elsewhere anyway.

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Thank you all for the many things to consider. I thought about this for a while and have decided that I am going to take the new job.

There are several things that helped make my decision - I am currently in research and with the economy we won't have any grants coming our way for the forseeable future.

I am the kind of person that does not do well with uncertainty in employment, so the fact that this will be a permanent job is a big attraction. I was planning on starting to look for a new job in January but I was already worried that I wouldn't find a job in research.

My patient contact now is limited (one half day a week for clinic) and I am much more of an academic than a direct patient contact person anyway. I very much enjoy the science of nursing more than the art of nursing.

I like interacting with others but I am not overly social so floor nursing drives me nuts. The new job is almost right next to my old office so I will still see everyone I work with - maybe just not as much as I do now.

I am not sure about upward mobility in this new position but the stress will be lower and I am thinking of applying for a PhD program because the new position does come with some education benefits not available for other positions.

I asked the person who is hiring for the job about flexibility since that was my main concern - it seems that while the position won't be nearly as flexible as my current job I will still have more flexibility than working in another department. I have decided that I have been spoiled at my current job and no other job would likely be as convenient as this one.

Thank you so much for all of the comments and things to think about - and thanks for the shaking me awake, too! I really needed some help and I appreciate the fact that I could come here!:heartbeat

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