How much does money influence where you go....or stay

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I like my job (it could be a little more challenging, but im night shift so its more the shift than the job) and i like all of my co-workers. so overall its a good job :) But our facility pays about 2 dollars lower than the base of a few area hospitals....that being said i still make about 8 dollars more than people with my same experience at hospitals an hour away.... but we don't have the same perks...1 1/2 if you get called in ect....

How much does money matter to you? Just curious?

Specializes in ED.

If money was the answer I'd still be full-time as a paramedic. But the risk of serious injury, constant micromanagement, and sleep deprivation made me choose nursing.

I could make a dollar or two more at other facilities. But I really like the team we have in our ED.

Plus we r the busiest ED in the area so that makes for an exciting work week. I actually made more as a medic but of course that was 56 hour work weeks, 24/48s. And constantly in the truck day/night

Peace out

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

We all work, because we need to generate income, however llg hit the nail on the head squarely.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.
im making more now than i have ever made in my short nursing career. though my job is difficult and at times i'd rather chew my arm off than get out of the bed i have become accustomed to having good paychecks and money in the bank. i find that its a good trade off for me to have a job that at times really tries me but allows me to not to stress over not making enough to pay bills (which i've seen many do and it looks miserable)

This is my situation. I would love to work with gentle people, humming kumbaya at report while holding hands etc... but in reality the nursing environment in many places is cut throat. I've learned to work amongst the sharks and keep my head low. When I go home and see how I can provide for my family it's all worth it. I've grown accustomed to being able to get along with the tyrants of the field and basically enjoy my job and have a good day. It's what you make it IMO.

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I wouldn't quit a job over $2.00 an hour unless I was absolutely miserable. After the govt. gets their hands on it, it will be closer to $1.00/hour which just wouldn't be worth it to me.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Lactation, Case Management.

I love my current job and chose to take it even though it was about $12,000 less per year than what I was making. Money can't buy happiness. Less stress, better work environment...worth it!!

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Specializes in acute care.

Money is a big factor for me. However, this early in my career, I'm more concerned with landing my dream job. I can pursue the money later after I gain the experience.

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Specializes in LTC.

Money talks but you also have to look at the big picture and factor in other things as well. On its own, money cannot help make a big decision like that for me. For example, I am an LPN and get paid $1 lower than other facilities close by in my area. However, at my job things are in black adn white, the patient to nurse ratio is consistent, I know the system and how it works, I know the politics, and I like my benefits. I once did start a new PRN job at a higher paying facility. However i only lasted a couple fo days because workign in a place where things were not in black and white made me very nervous. Supply were also hard to come by at this other place. So I decided that the grass is nto necessarily greener on the other side - always a reason places might pay more.

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I am having this debate right now actually. I HATe my current job and I mean despise it, I just interviewed for another job that I think I will love. It seems like a much better environment and much better staffed, but it would pay 2 dollars less and hour AND add an hour commute both ways. I still think I am going to take it. I would rather be broke and happy. I just have to hope my car hangs on.....but it is also a trade off, the job pays less but the benefits are SO much better, like not even in the same ballpark so it all works out.

Oh my gosh Betty Boop, you sound just like me. I will be getting paid $2.25 less an hour but I think...no, I KNOW...it will be worth it in the long run. My DH and a few of my friends told me I was crazy at first but after I cried and told them all about the job I have now (until they didn't even want to hear it anymore) they think I need a change as well. I swear I stress over my job too much. When it gets to the point that your taking it home with you, walking on egg shells to prevent getting a write-up (which I haven't had yet...), and having a new DON and supervisor that talks badly behind everyones back and has no support for you, showing favoritism among horrible co-workers who also gossip with the best of them, your management asking you to do things that aren't safe and dare you to call her out on it, oh....I could go on and on. I'm venting. I know exactly what you mean. I want to RUN, RUN, RUN as fast as I can from this horrible toxic place. The sad thing is, is I am considered one of the "senior" nurses and I've only been there for 4yrs! This place pays so good but can't keep their nurses. I wondered why when I first got hired, but now I know. Now I know. I am getting out and taking this other job that will pay me less and I don't even care. I would rather be broke and happy than rich and miserable. Thank you!

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Specializes in GERIATRICS,HOSPICE,MENTAL/PHYS DISABILED.

Money is most def an issue. You know: roof over your head, clothes on your back, food to eat, children to take care of, car to drive. Oh! Also our dipping economy, high gas rates....shall I go on? I don't know, I just get very happy when I can provide for my family, pay our bills without constant worry about having my electric cut off or even wondering where our next meal is coming from. Been there, don't ever want to go back. I've worked some places for a season-a particular amount of time until I could get "my money up" & knew that I would not be there for long. That being said, I have worked @ great paying facilities where I've actually had to chose between having my nursing license & my sanity or going crazy & maybe going to jail. Yeah, tough choice. Now, I'm blessed to have a good paying job, work 5 days a week (nights, because I like nights), no weekends unless I want to, & I have the same three patients in a home-like setting every time I come in. Plus, it's not far from my house. Can anyone say "cushy job"?

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Specializes in Health Information Management.

Money matters to a point. We all have responsibilities, and I'm here to tell you that no matter how fun/enjoyable/fascinating the job may be or how supportive your colleagues, trying to have a family of three live on less than $30K a year is no picnic in this day and age. On the other hand, if you're in a two-income family and you're deciding between job A, which pays $45K/yr, has decent management, and has coworkers who for the most part are reasonable and hard-working, or job B which pays $50K/yr, has doubtful management, and has a staff comprised of 5% great people, 30% middling people, and 65% people you'd debate spitting on if they were aflame, is the extra $5K/yr really worth it? Under most circumstances, no, though there are some exceptions (i.e., if you're drowning in debt, if job A has a commute that's significantly longer than job B's, etc.).

So my answer is, the importance of money to me depends largely on my circumstances. There are trade-offs I'm willing to make between pay and a good working environment, but my ability to cover basic needs in an appropriate fashion must be assured before I'm in a position to make those trades. Costly long-range goals (like the purchase of a house or paying for the majority of my child's education at an Ivy League school) might also make me willing to swallow a bad job with high pay over a more comfortable position at a lesser rate - at least for a time.

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I wish I could say that money isn't a conisderation for me in a new job, but it is and probably always will be. I'm divorced, the sole provider for myself and four adorable cats. I will always take more money, although in the Cleveland area, I'm glad to have a job, no matter what it pays. I know new grads in my area who have yet to find jobs as RNs. What is the market like in other cities?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I don't think a couple of bucks an hour is even worth thinking about making a move unless the benefits, paid time off etc. is considerably more which I translate into $ when I'm making my decision. I absolutely do look for the money, benefits and paid time off as the main consideration in my career. I could care less about my schedule and I've found that all units have pros and cons so what separates the men from the boys for me is the bottom line.

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