My Career options after graduation

Published

  1. What would you do?

    • 3
      Look for higher paid 1st shift position at the end of the year.
    • 2
      Stay since increases will happen every year -both one year evaluation and if the cost of living has increased.

5 members have participated

After graduating last August the nursing hospital opportunities were very slim in my area, three hospitals, with only a couple positions available and one of the three having a hiring freeze on the employees they had hired previously months ago.

I started working at a nursing home, as they are needing nurses very badly and also pay the same or higher than the hospitals.

I made $24.50 on second shift in a nursing home. (6 months)

Now I am working in a health department at 18.50$ to get away from 2nd shift to be closer to home and kids. The pay however is very low compared to other nursing jobs. It even required a BSN degree for the position.

I am not sure if I should live out the rest of the year with the department and then look again, or just stay - a co-worker said she has received a pay increase every year since she started, 13 years she had been there and her pay has increased $10.00.

That is great - but I don't know if I should look for a hospital or clinic position that is generally $22 dollars- Or stay here and wait on the pay increases. With the low starting wage we also get paid holidays, no weekend work, and it's first shift.

That is a great plus there, but hospital clinics are generally the same way.

IM and subq injections, blood draw and tb testing are done regularly, so while I am not inserting foley catheters or suctioning trachs daily, I still have some hands on skills.

What would you do?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

Sounds like a nice, relatively stress free job compared to the hospital. I assume you get benefits as well? I'd keep that public health job, they're hard to come by.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

You know your finances and what you can survive off on. Working for the department of health comes with great benefits but not great pay.

I even was battling that decision when I was on a tough unit, but realized with my financial goals it was best to stay at the hospital for hirer pay. It did work out in the end when I transferred to a much stress less unit and finally enjoying not working everyday. I'm no longer exhausted/recovering on my days off!

If you are enjoying what you're currently doing and you're not struggling with paying the bills on what you bring home, then stay. If not then look into other areas, such as rehab, home health, or case management.

Sent from iPink's phone via allnurses app

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health, Geriatrics, Women's Health, Addiction.

Are you happy? Are you fulfilled? Are you using the skills you thought you would be using or want to use?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion