Got the job....

Hi All,

The recruiter from the health dept finally called me today and told me I got the job. Then I immediately got nervous. I would be a paycut, ~7000 to be exact, but no weekends and of course it is during the day. I work night shift now and although the pay is much better, I think my health is suffering for it. It does pay better than if I were to switch to days at my present job. I am still on the fence. I need to pay off student loans and save up for a home but at the same time I do not enjoy working in the hospital. Any suggestions? This is an awsome opportunity, i just don't know if it is the right time.

Allie

Congratulations Allie! :balloons:

Are you sure you're not just getting cold feet (it happens a lot when switching jobs). Is is possible to work part time public health and still do casual pool at your hospital job for awhile (for the money)? If it were me, I would go for what feels right in your gut.

I am so jealous, as I went to a PH interview, but did NOT get the job. They encouraged me to apply again, but it is so competative around here.I haven't seen another opening with my county in months!

If you think you will be happier in PH, I would just go for it. I know the money is better in the hospital, but who knows if this opportunity will come up again? You said yourself you were tired of nightshift and not happy in the hospital. Good luck in whatever you decide! (I hope you take the public health job...but no pressure, hee hee). :)

Kona (still on med/surg)

Congratulations Allie! :balloons:

Are you sure you're not just getting cold feet (it happens a lot when switching jobs). Is is possible to work part time public health and still do casual pool at your hospital job for awhile (for the money)? If it were me, I would go for what feels right in your gut.

I am so jealous, as I went to a PH interview, but did NOT get the job. They encouraged me to apply again, but it is so competative around here.I haven't seen another opening with my county in months!

If you think you will be happier in PH, I would just go for it. I know the money is better in the hospital, but who knows if this opportunity will come up again? You said yourself you were tired of nightshift and not happy in the hospital. Good luck in whatever you decide! (I hope you take the public health job...but no pressure, hee hee). :)

Kona (still on med/surg)

Congratulations Allie! :balloons:

Are you sure you're not just getting cold feet (it happens a lot when switching jobs). Is is possible to work part time public health and still do casual pool at your hospital job for awhile (for the money)? If it were me, I would go for what feels right in your gut.

I am so jealous, as I went to a PH interview, but did NOT get the job. They encouraged me to apply again, but it is so competative around here.I haven't seen another opening with my county in months!

If you think you will be happier in PH, I would just go for it. I know the money is better in the hospital, but who knows if this opportunity will come up again? You said yourself you were tired of nightshift and not happy in the hospital. Good luck in whatever you decide! (I hope you take the public health job...but no pressure, hee hee). :)

Kona (still on med/surg)

I think it is "cold feet". That and the fact that I got the call at 0900 after I had just fallen asleep (worked last night). I was so hazy and didn't know what to think, still am. I am working with one of my good friends tonight so I'll get to talk it over with her. But I still want y'alls opinions!

Thanks, Allie

Congratulations Allie! :balloons:

Are you sure you're not just getting cold feet (it happens a lot when switching jobs). Is is possible to work part time public health and still do casual pool at your hospital job for awhile (for the money)? If it were me, I would go for what feels right in your gut.

I am so jealous, as I went to a PH interview, but did NOT get the job. They encouraged me to apply again, but it is so competative around here.I haven't seen another opening with my county in months!

If you think you will be happier in PH, I would just go for it. I know the money is better in the hospital, but who knows if this opportunity will come up again? You said yourself you were tired of nightshift and not happy in the hospital. Good luck in whatever you decide! (I hope you take the public health job...but no pressure, hee hee). :)

Kona (still on med/surg)

I think it is "cold feet". That and the fact that I got the call at 0900 after I had just fallen asleep (worked last night). I was so hazy and didn't know what to think, still am. I am working with one of my good friends tonight so I'll get to talk it over with her. But I still want y'alls opinions!

Thanks, Allie

Congrats Allie!!! I've been in public health for 12 years and I have never regretted it. I found my niche and mostly importantly I am there for my family!! I know we could have used the money, but time at home was important for our kids!

I hope whatever feels right to you, works out for you!

Since you're asking for advice...

We've pretty much had the same experience, right? Well, I took the PHN position; in fact, I quit the med/surg job before I even new for sure that I would get the PHN position! But I was so miserable, and my health (mental and physical) was suffering as well.

My personal opinion is that no job is worth your health and happiness. Life is short! Do what you love!

I'm saving up to get married this summer. Sure, I could make more in a hospital. But, the way I see it, the whole wedding planning process and life in general will be so much better if I'm doing something I love and know I'll be good at. But, I worked days, so I'm really NOT taking a paycut. Also, I'm not sure if you are as miserable at your job as I was at mine. It was seriously affecting my health. If that's the case with you, I think you should take this opporunity.

Let us know what you decide!!

How was your interview? What type of wuestions do they ask? I have a public health interview tomorrow and I'm a bit nervous. I've worked in ICU and MEd/ Surg., and I am now an administrator, but I have no public health experience.

Hi All,

The recruiter from the health dept finally called me today and told me I got the job. Then I immediately got nervous. I would be a paycut, ~7000 to be exact, but no weekends and of course it is during the day. I work night shift now and although the pay is much better, I think my health is suffering for it. It does pay better than if I were to switch to days at my present job. I am still on the fence. I need to pay off student loans and save up for a home but at the same time I do not enjoy working in the hospital. Any suggestions? This is an awsome opportunity, i just don't know if it is the right time.

Allie

I really can't say what they'll ask you, but I can tell you that I wasn't grilled during my interview at all.

Public health is all about prevention and education, so you should express interest in them. It depends on what type of program you're interviewing for, but they might ask you questions about your knowledge of mother/baby care, child development, patient education, STDs, immunizations, etc etc. I can't believe they'd expect/want you to know the gritty details about something like immunizations or even mother/baby care. These are things you learn with experience, like any other type of nursing.

Like I said, my interview was a breeze. You can never go wrong by expressing interest in learning things you might not be knowledgable about. Good luck! Keep us posted.

I also have a health department job offer and will take a significant pay cut if I take it. I don't know what to do. I want the job, I think it will suit me better than med/surg nursing, but the pay cut is hard to swallow. I mean the pay is sooo low. They are offering me about 30k/year, when I can make 40k/yr in the hospital. Any advice?

Hi All,

The recruiter from the health dept finally called me today and told me I got the job. Then I immediately got nervous. I would be a paycut, ~7000 to be exact, but no weekends and of course it is during the day. I work night shift now and although the pay is much better, I think my health is suffering for it. It does pay better than if I were to switch to days at my present job. I am still on the fence. I need to pay off student loans and save up for a home but at the same time I do not enjoy working in the hospital. Any suggestions? This is an awsome opportunity, i just don't know if it is the right time.

Allie

I'm with all of you. I'm currently in med/surge and hate it. I have been waffling from area to area in my mind, as far as which area of nursing would be a better fit for me. I believe that public nursing may be it. As it is, I've always thought that I'd love to be a school nurse, and that is just one area of public nursing. I also would not mind working in the health department at all.

The pay cut though... I just don't know if I could ever afford it. I am the primary breadwinner in my household. My husband is a cook and makes a very small paycheck. Even with the job I have now, we struggle. So, I don't know what is worse... the stress of my job, or the stress of not ever having enough money.

Hey there. I'm in the same kind of situation. But, I've decided to go for it. I applied for an opening at the local health department and IF I get the job I've decided that I'm going to go for it. Some how we'll figure out how to do it with less $$$...I have 2 school-aged kids and I don't want to wake up 10 yrs. from now regretting the fact that I've missed so much with them.

Everyone, please keep your fingers crossed for me that I get the job!!!!

:roll