More money, more problems?

[TXcatcher]

I just received a job offer for another hospital working with transplant/VAD patients. This hospital's program is fairly new, and the hospital doesn't have the best reputation among nurses. They are punitive and work the nurses way too hard with little respect. Everyone I know who is familiar with this hospital and my current hospital say not to take the job.

BUT, they are offering a significant base pay increase, and with all the differentials, I'll be making $7k more per year plus a 10k bonus (over two years). I am underpaid at my hospital and make less than coworkers with the same experience as me.

My ultimate goal is to get into ICU. If I take this job, I'll have to wait at least two years to transfer, and possibly longer because I've heard they block people. If I stay in my current job, I can move as soon as a position opens up (at least hypothetically).

Is the money worth a bad environment?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Generally, if a facility is paying a much higher amount than the other local facilities, there's a reason. When I was looking for my first job, one hospital paid about $13/hour more than the one I ended up choosing to work for. We've had some of our employees leave to go over there- and they were back within a week. The grass isn't always greener.

That said, you'll have to make the decision for yourself. Will that extra money be worth the emotional roller coaster you may find yourself riding? Will the 2 year wait be worth it to get into the specialty you want? Money doesn't buy happiness.