Job Dilemma

[peachshan, BSN, RN]

I am a second career nursing student. I am attending a part-time BSN program that has classes in the evening and on the weekends. Currently, I am working full-time as a special ed. teacher. A job opportunity has come up for me to work as a Front Desk-Patient Service Coordinator at great healthcare system in Georgia. Basically, I would be greeting patients and taking their insurance information. The dilemma is this job would be paying less than I am making now as a teacher. My husband is worried because he feels like we are barely making it now. We have also have a two year old son and we are paying for childcare. I feel like this would be a great opportunity to get my feet in the medical field. However, I don't want my family to suffer financially for the next 3 years (that is how the long the program is). Any advice about what I should do would be wonderful!

P. S. We are living in a house and I am paying for my car but the car payment is around $150.

[RNinCLE, ADN, BSN]

Honestly, the best thing you can do is to sit down and work out a detailed budget. Make sure you can live off of the lower pay. You're correct that it's a great way to get your foot in the door - many hospitals will hire from within first, so it would put you at an advantage when you're looking for a job. But if you can't survive financially for the next three years, it's not worth it. And truly, you are going to need your husband's support A LOT in nursing school, so he needs to be in agreement with the decision.

Chances are, there would be other opportunities. Once you get through a year of clinicals, many health systems will hire you as a nursing assistant, also. Another great way to get your foot in the door. With that, you may also be able to work more flexible hours. So while this may be a great opportunity now, it's not to say it's the ONLY opportunity that may present itself over the next 3 years till you graduate.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

No matter how great the opportunity is, if you can't afford it, then don't take it. Although the job is in a hospital which gets your foot in the door, it is not a patient care job and will not benefit you in learning skills for nursing school. My advice is to not take it.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

I agree with PP. Although you will be working in the hospital that is no guarantee of future employment and this position likely won't increase your skillset enough to justify the pay cut.

[peachshan, BSN, RN]

Thank you for your advice! I didn't take the job because as you guys said I have to look at the bigger picture.