In a dilemma and need advice

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Hello all,

I'm in a little bit of a dilemma and figured I would come here for advice. Here's a little bit about me: I live in California and graduated back in 2010 and started my nursing career somewhat rough.

Took my first job in a SNF which was a total nightmare and one hour away from home. After 3 months I left that job for a state prison job which was 2.5 hours away. Money was great but location was horrible(middle of nowhere), staff and patients were horrible, and the schedule was horrible.

After 11 months of that I was let go and worked county juvenile hall which had its own set of problems, mostly with staff which ultimately resulted in me getting let go.

Things finally took a turn for the better when my old classmate decided to contact me and recruit me to come work at her ER. Though it was always my intention to start in the ER right out of school, not having any experience forced me to work non hospital jobs.

So I took the opportunity, interviewed, and was hired in a few days. Now 2 years later, I'm still at the same ER and I have to say that it has been the best job of my life. I absolutely love the people, get along with most of the docs, have plenty of autonomy, have a wonderful cool boss, great schedule.. Everything I want in a job except 1 minor and 1 major problem.

The minor problem is that the job is 40 minutes away from home. Not too bad considering that almost every job I've had in the past has been far from home.

The major problem however is that this hospital is the lowest paying hospital in its area. The pay is so low for the area that the hospital is ALWAYS losing staff all the time and always hiring. I don't make enough to buy a house (at least one that I like), I have to always pick up overtime just to live comfortably. But it now getting to the point to where all the overtime in working is starting to affect my health.

Even the person who brought me on board has left for a better paying hospital and now she's able to just comfortably work her 3 days and make great money. I guess what makes the decision difficult is that I'm so reluctant to leave my comfortable work environment to just end up in a frying pan. But on the other hand, I'm killing myself having to always work all this overtime.

So I have 3 options.. I can stay where I'm at and continue to kill myself working endless overtime, do travel ER and make great money working just 3 days a week, or try to apply at other ER's that will at least pay decently.

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Hey buddy I empathize with you. I work at a teaching hospital and they pay the lowest of all the surrounding hospitals but I love my unit and my hospital, plus we have great benefits so it evens out. I would like to ask a few questions so I can better tailor my advice.

1. What type of hospital do you work at? Teaching, Private, Level I Trauma?

2. Are there perks in your job that are better than the surrounding hospitals? (benefits, schedule selection, raises)?

3. Are you able to be a travel nurse? (no kids in school, spouse/sig. other that needs you to stay in one area)

4. Are you being realistic in house hunting or are you looking out of your budget for a house?

5. Have you evaluated your expenses to see where your money is going since you have to work so much OT to get by?

Yes I am asking some personal questions but they are things you need to take a look at. Sounds like you absolutely love your job. As you have experienced, and many people will tell you, being happy with your job is something that does not come around all the time. And I think loving your job and not dreading coming in to work is a huge benefit that money cannot buy. I accept that I get paid much less than the surrounding hospitals bc I wouldn't trade the happiness I have at work for a better hourly pay.

Also, if you think about traveling do understand that you can have some really bad assignments. Units usually assign the travel nurse to the patients people don't want and often get assigned to hospitals people are dissatisfied with and leave, which is why they need travelers. Yes you will only be at any hospital for a few months, but it's something to think about as well.

Ultimately you have to decide what is best for you and what you value most, a bigger paycheck or a great place of employment where you love your coworkers and your job. Is the extra money worth working somewhere you would not be as happy? Are you willing to take the risk of leaving a place you love? Have you thought of challenging the clinical ladder so you can make more money from advancement with that? Is it time to go back to school maybe? I might have made you more confused now by asking all these questions but I would just hate for you to leave a job without taking all things into consideration. Good luck my friend!

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I appreciate your response. In answer to your questions:

1. What type of hospital do you work at? Teaching, Private, Level I Trauma?

Were a 148 bed level V community hospital.

2. Are there perks in your job that are better than the surrounding hospitals? (benefits, schedule selection, raises)?

Better charting system, more schedule flexibility. One hospital nearby has issues with lack of supplies, facility being old and outdated supplies, problems that we don't have.

3. Are you able to be a travel nurse? (no kids in school, spouse/sig. other that needs you to stay in one area)

Wouldn't be able to travel to other states but I can definitely do within 100 mile radius.

4. Are you being realistic in house hunting or are you looking out of your budget for a house?

If I stay within my budget I can't find anything that I or my wife likes.

5. Have you evaluated your expenses to see where your money is going since you have to work so much OT to get by?

I can get by without OT. I just can't live comfortably without it. And I can't have a decent savings without it either.

In regards to your questions on what I value most, money or a great work environment, I value a great work environment more which is why I've stayed at this hospital for the time that I have and have not gone back to the correctional system even though I was making 2000 dollars a month more there. However, I do value my health more than my work environment and I feel that my body is slowly breaking down with all the work I'm doing.

Fortunately I do have the option of staying at this hospital per diem to keep my foot in the door.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept.

Here are my thoughts - when I was looking for a new job but nervous to give up my comfort zone I applied for a PRN job at another hospital. Didn't have to give up my seniority or anything at the previous job and instead of picking up OT there, worked extra at the PRN job. Lasted 6 months before I quit the previous job and went full time at the PRN job. Doing the PRN thing let me know if I was going to like it there without having to risk my comfort at the old job.

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So here's the update on my situation:

I took the travel assignment and went per diem at my staff job. The facility that I'm at has actually exceeded my expectations(which were quite low initially).

Patient population is much better and cleaner, patient acuity is less than what I'm used to. I am by far less busier here.

Financially, I have almost tripled my income. Huge leap forward. I do miss my family at my staff hospital but I suppose my per diem days will have to be enough to satisfy my cravings to be with them.

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Specializes in ER.

I think you already have an answer to your question, I see that. Just like many doctors don't jump into medicine just out of pure heart, compassion, and love for humanity (instead for money, fame, status, accomplishments), just the same way RNs don't go into nursing for having heart of gold either. I think that before we are nurses, we are human beings too, we need money, we need to provide for our families, set aside funds for emergencies just like anybody else in the world do also. You need more money, go for what you deserve. I recently quit ER for piece of my mind, better pay and Monday Friday hours. I'm anxious yes because bedside inpatient hospital nursing is all that I know and done so far, but no challenge, no fun amigo. Let us know what happens.

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Specializes in Endoscopy/Operating room.

I am currently in pre nursing before I enter the program. I too am fearful of the same thing "burn out" however I have worked in many different facilities. Nursing homes, Alzheimer's care and acute care in the hospital. All understaffed, I feel that is an issue for all currently in healthcare though. The gossip, behind your back stuff you will find anywhere you go, no matter what profession you enter. Maybe find a different place to work until you get your RN. All places are not the same. Explore some. Go get interviews/ applications. In the mean time. I know personal time is little given all of your responsibilities. But, you have to make time for yourself! Join a gym. You'd be surprised the effects of excercise. Also, is there a speciality you want to go into? Geriatrics, pediatrics etc? See if you can find something in your particular fields of interest. If not, just find an easy day to day job. It will be worth it when you graduate! Nursing is not for the faint of heart.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
I am currently in pre nursing before I enter the program. I too am fearful of the same thing "burn out" however I have worked in many different facilities. Nursing homes, Alzheimer's care and acute care in the hospital. All understaffed, I feel that is an issue for all currently in healthcare though. The gossip, behind your back stuff you will find anywhere you go, no matter what profession you enter. Maybe find a different place to work until you get your RN. All places are not the same. Explore some. Go get interviews/ applications. In the mean time. I know personal time is little given all of your responsibilities. But, you have to make time for yourself! Join a gym. You'd be surprised the effects of excercise. Also, is there a speciality you want to go into? Geriatrics, pediatrics etc? See if you can find something in your particular fields of interest. If not, just find an easy day to day job. It will be worth it when you graduate! Nursing is not for the faint of heart.

To whom are you responding? The OP has been a nurse for 5 years.

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Yeah I was wondering the same thing. That post seemed so unrelated to this thread.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Thanks for coming back and giving an update -- always good to hear of good outcomes! :)

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Specializes in Endoscopy/Operating room.

My apologies I think I posted on the wrong forum. Sorry for the confusion. [QUOE=FlyingScot;8620010]To whom are you responding? The OP has been a nurse for 5 years.

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