More experience/less money VS. Less experience/more money

Published Mar 28, 2012

908 Posts

Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

Hi All!

I'm a new grad nurse working in a Cardiothoraicic Intensive Care Unit (since June 2011). I currently work nights and love it. I like the staff and I am a night person so the schedule doesn't bother me at all. It does sometimes suck to work weekend nights but I love being able to be home and sleep while the majority of the world works. As a new nurse, I'm able to think clearer (I worked day shifts as well in my internship before I got off of orientation) at night than days. Days just had too many people on and too much going on. Don't get me wrong. I've had some BUSY nights but I'm more adjusted to nights and really like it. Plus, I LOVE the night differential!

But here's the dilemma: I'm starting to take fresh post-op patients (coming in on day shifts since 90% of the surgeries end during day shift). Once I'm able to take fresh post-op patients on my own (I'm getting checked off right now on them), I'll just take the ones that come out on night (whenever that is) or come in a bit early if they come out around shift change.

I've been offered the chance a few times to move to days. I would LOVE to get the extra experience of taking more fresh post-op patients and also keep up with my skills (haven't had to pull medialstinal tubes since I've worked on days during orientation!). I think it would make me a better nurse (even though there are some GREAT nurses at night who I look up to) but that darn night differential (as well as my bills AND my mom) is sayin to stay on nights!!

What do you guys think? What's more important -- experience or money?