Is money everything? What about soul satisfaction?

[HarryPotter]

Hi.

I work for San Diego County and, as it is with most county work, we help those who need help the most.

Like the homeless, children who are abused, the low-income elderly who are alone and loosing their memory, the low income (or no income) emotionally/psychiatrically disturbed. We also do Public Health. Most of the time the services are free.

We're the ones who are "the safety net" and often the place where people go as a last resort because they are poor and isolated.

I am very proud of the work the county does. We were there when the fires here burned homes and people had no where to go.

The work we do is so rewarding, and, bottom line, no one else helps those who we help. Kind of like being with the Peace Core.

We are short of Nurses, as there is already a shortage and the county cannot compete with private hospitals in terms of salary (we do have good benefitws, including retirement benefits).

I am helping with a campaign to recruit nurses and I hope to get as budget so we can advertise here.

I sometimes get afraid thinking that the poor will get less services when they already are so needy.

Do any of you work with the poor for less salary, or do any of you have any ideas on the subject.

[fergus51]

I work with the poor and the rich and everyone in between. My salary has nothing to do with the patients' socioeconomic status.

I would love to get into Public Health though

[Genista, BSN, RN]

Hello. No, I don't think money is everything, but at the same time if I am going to be working myself to the bone, I appreciate appropriate compensation.

You know, I've worked on med/surg type floors my whole nursing career (7 yrs so far). I burned out a few years back and was planning to leave nursing for another career that I felt was just as rewarding, but less stressful, and it paid half of what I make now. It turned out that the other career (teaching) wasn't what I hoped it would be, and I stayed in nursing (I did earn a teaching credential by the way). I even interviewed for a public health position 2 years ago, but didn't get the job despite having a BSN,PHN, teaching credential & several years of acute care nursing experience (in my area public health is very competative despite slightly less pay...and you need to be able to speak at least some Spanish, and preferably be fluent).

I would think that advertising the unique perks of your job would attract nurses. Personally, most nurses I know are seeking work-life balance. Play up those great benefits (retirement and health insurance)! Is it a typical 9-5 job? That may entice some who want more normal hours. Do your county nurses get most holidays off? That may sound good to hospital nurses who often work holidays. If the pay is decent, then play up the other perks of the job, such as being able to educate people and provide case management type of nursing care. Do you offer part time shifts for nurses who may have families and don't want a 40 hour work week? The ability to work 3-4 days a week is very desirable, yet many public health jobs are M-F 9a-5p and pay much less than hospital pay.Many nurses want flexibility, and may be more interested if you give them the option. If you offer extensive orientation, that would be a bonus, too. It can be scary to switch specialties. I have read some county nursing jobs offer opportunity for lots of paid CEUs, so that is a good one, too.

I would have jumped ship to public health if they offered me a job, and/or helped me to improve my Spanish (I do speak some, but not fluent). I also wanted only part time work 3-4 days a week, but it wasn't available. I like my current job in the hospital, and while at times I would like to branch out and try something new, for now it is great. I work 3 days a week & am paid very well. I appreciate having time for my family and other interests. I could be working more and making more money, but it's not all about money. I feel I make a difference in people's lives. But perhaps someday I would like to try public health & working in the community, too. Good luck with your recruitments!

[HarryPotter]

Hi

Thanks for your replys.

Will get back to you more in debth, but just wanted to post a quick reply.

Harry.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

No, money is NOT everything, and nobody knows that better than a nurse who's walked away from a $30-an-hour hospital job nine days before Christmas, without another job lined up and sacrificing the best benefits in the area.:stone

Where I am now, I earn about three-quarters of my former wages and won't get what few benefits there are until September; but I'm happier than I've ever been in my career, my stress level is practically nonexistent, and I have far more control over my work and life than ever before. You couldn't pay me enough to go back to that armpit of a job that almost killed me (I was sick for a year before I finally realized what it was doing to me). And I will NEVER again confuse being paid well with being valued.

[kukukajoo, LPN]

I decided to go into nursing because I want to help people- People of all walks of life. Once I graduate, I plan on spending time in foreign countries who desperately need skilled care. To be able to do that, I will need to make enough money to cover my annual expenses in about 1/2 year though.

I think this will be possible as I have already streamlined and downsized my life just to go to college and living on next to nothing as it is! Won't be a hard transition, as it was eaiser than I ever imagined it would have been!

Funny- I never had a chance at college when I was younger due to having my kids so young, but getting fired from a job and being without income for a few months was the motivation I needed to get my butt into school. I realized I COULD live on next to nothing and heck I may as well be getting the education I always dreamed of while I am down there!