Need help finding next career

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I'm 29 y/o and I've been working as an RN on a surgical floor for a little over 2 years. This has been my first and only nursing job since graduating. I actually really do like my job. I think the work environment is healthy, my bosses are very supportive and helpful, and I love the patient population. I actually can see myself working in this position for a long time. The only problem is that it doesn't pay well enough and for financial reasons alone, I'm going to eventually leave this job that I feel very grateful for.

In my current position, there are ways to move up that come with pay increases, and I'm working through that right now. However, even once I high the "highest level," the pay really isn't enough for what I'm looking for. The pay is probably the most common complaint among nurses on my floor.

I love direct patient care and I love talking and conversing with my patients. That's probably what I like the most about my job. I need help on how to go about finding other possible nursing specialties and careers that I should look into for when I eventually leave.

Thanks

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Specializes in Pedi.

You need help finding a new job, you sound settled in nursing as your career.

Pay is highly variable based on your area of the country. Do you have any sense of how your hospital pays compared to other hospitals in the area?

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That's tough. Most of the reasons (supportive management, work environment) you have given for enjoying your current job are workplace specific, not nursing specialty specific. What aspect of the population do you enjoy? Exploring that may lead you to other specialties you enjoy. But it sounds like what may benefit you the most is to become a savy job searcher as well. Know what contributes to a healthy workforce and warning signs.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I really appreciate the quick replies. I feel very fortunate for my job because I hear all the time of nurses who dread going to work.

I like the patient population mainly because I can have conversations with them, have a sense of humor, and make them laugh. I can encourage them if they are feeling nervous about their surgery outcomes and help them stay positive. I feel that is a strength of mine as evidenced by many feedback letters about my care from patients.

I float to other units probably every 1-2 months. On our medical floor, there are many patients who are not very sick, and I can be the same way with them. But for the other patients who are much more acute and most of the patients on the PCU and CCU, I can't really converse with them because they are usually not very responsive or are not in the mood to really have cheerful conversation. I still provide quality care for them, but I feel most at home in my own unit.

And I agree that a contributing factor is due to the workplace, not really the specialty itself. I don't really have a desire going to another surgical floor at a different hospital in fear of having an unhealthy work environment.

Finding out how much we get paid compared to other hospitals in the same area has been difficult. Our HR has always told us they do a "market analysis" to make sure our pay is competitive, but whenever asked for actual data of how much specific hospitals pay, they say they'll send out an email that never comes or will give us the wrong info (such as sending info about average nursing pay in the entire US, not local data). I work in the Northern Virginia area, outside of DC.

I guess one thing I have to deal with is that because my experience is limited at this time, it's hard for me to know what other types of specialties I would find enjoyable. An idea that's been bouncing around is becoming an NP and do primary care, but still trying to weigh other options.

EDIT: KelRN215, when you say I sound settled in my nursing career, I'm not sure what you mean. Is that a good thing or bad thing?

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Nursing is pretty flexible...unfortunately east coast pay rates arn't the best...I make more money traveling, which I understand might not be an option for you. BUT, I bet you could easily double your pay as a traveling nurse (maybe even in your area)...or look into other hospitals, even working PRN in a bigger city that you have to travel to twice a month. Nurses are in demand everywhere...find the hustle that works for you.

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Specializes in hospice, LTC, public health, occupational health.

As a person about 15 years older than you, let me give you something to think about: there are many things more important than money. Liking your job and having supportive management, not dreading going to work, is worth a ton. I guess you can't appreciate how much because you haven't had a truly terrible nursing job. Don't get so caught up in dollar signs that you don't know the actual value of things.

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As a person about 15 years older than you, let me give you something to think about: there are many things more important than money. Liking your job and having supportive management, not dreading going to work, is worth a ton. I guess you can't appreciate how much because you haven't had a truly terrible nursing job. Don't get so caught up in dollar signs that you don't know the actual value of things.

That's the truth. It doesn't make sense to make a few more $$ and be unhappy.

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