Ok guys..need everyones input :)

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 1, 2005

I think i could make a paycut work if it means i'm going to like the job better.

IloveSnoopy · Nov 1, 2005

That's just the thing...I"m not sure if I'll like the job better...u know? Sure..it sounds good now just cause' it's something different...u know? My initial thought when I shadowed was yeah..this is ok...but it wasn't what I was picturing in my mind for some reason. In the clinic, it's a lot of hunting down charts, getting charts to where they need to go,etc.....it wasn't as "nursey" as I thought. I think it may be different in a call center type atmosphere..but overall...it looked ok..but like something I may get bored with after awhile. The one good thing about med/surg....things are always changing and you are never doing the same types of things.... I don't know....knowing the lifestyle we like to live...I just don't think I can walk away from that money...especially when my current job is something that I don't mind. I think I have bad nights and I base the whole job on those bad nights...I do have a lot of good nights too...(mostly good nights actually). I think part of me has to learn to let go of a mistake or a bad night and just get on with things.

hugs,

snoop

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 1, 2005

Have you posted any of these concerned on the Telephone Nursing forum?

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Nov 1, 2005

I would gladly give up the higher pay for more enjoyment of my job! I chose a career, and wanted satisfaction from it...that was my goal...and if I would get a job offer for something I enjoyed...I would take it!

I just bought a new house, and we really need me to bring in more money. Sadly...even though promiced a increase in wage, the adminstration changed gears...no annual wage increases...and cut my hours drastically! So I held on to this job because it meant more pay when I needed it...and got the knife in the back!

Go with what YOU want from your career...not promises that can be changed in a day because of facility policy...be smart in sticking with something you enjoy because typically if you enjoy it...people notice and you preform better (same with if you dislike your job...people do notice!)...

Good luck with your choice..it is a tough one, but I take a look at the foundation of probelms...and when it comes to the career...my foundation is ME and my personal satisfaction with it because I can't be my fullest if I don't like what I am doing...and to me that is more important than money....

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Nov 2, 2005

Snoop,

Before I was all for you going to the triage job, but now I think you should stay. Your current job sounds ideal for a medsurg job. That is a huge amount of money, and while it is easy to say you can adjust to less pay, in practice it can be very difficult. If you are thinking you may be bored already you are probably correct.

On the other side of things you could try it and return to medsurg if you don't like it.

I guess I am as conflicted as you are!

Have you sat down and listed the pro's and con's of each job? Have you sat down and actually written up a realistic budget based on the lower pay and the higher pay? If not - I would do both those things right away and then follow your gut. Seeing things in writing often can have more impact than when you are just noodling them around in your brain.

Good luck and let us know the outcome.

errn7 · Nov 2, 2005

Just some food for thought....from a different view.

A few years ago the regional hospital added a telephone triage or "ask a nurse"...It was staffed with exp. RN's and they had alot of takers due to the fact of the ever dreaded "burnout". Those positions lasted until the first fiscal budget deficiet......guess what was the first to get cut...? So now those RN's had a choice to make and most couldnt get back to their old units so they had to take was available or leave. It sounds like a good job but when the budget knifes start slicing those are usually the first to go.

IloveSnoopy · Nov 2, 2005

Thanks again everyone for your insightful input...I really appreciate it. I did decide to turn down the job. I would have liked to have tried it but that is so much money to be walking away from...u know? We did go thru our budget and we could have gotten by...but with very little extra to spend on "other things". I hate to sound selfish...but we do enjoy a little extra money and being able to do fun things. Like I said before....sure the hours would have been better and I would have had more free time....but if you're stuck at home and not able to do anything (due to lack of money)..what's the point.

I also forced myself to think about the things I really enjoy about my current job..and actually there's quite a few.....we are always staffed very well, for every patient that drives me crazy..there are two or three that are sweet, kind, and appreciative of my care. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I would probably miss that direct patient contact. In the triage job...you are alone, in an office, with a phone and computer...and like I said..my initial thought was "this may get boring after awhile". I also love the people I work with at my current job..we truly are like a little family..it's great. Also...my NM is kind of flighty sometimes but overall...she is and always has been very, very good to me and she is very understanding about my chronic endometriosis..which is huge for me. Part of me didn't feel like making someone new try to understand all that stuff.

A lot of it did come down to the money again.....I think I make an excellent wage for being in a rural area of Wisconsin!!! and we are not understaffed like so many of the other hospitals are. We also added in the possibility of kids into the budget and the little extra bit of money we would have had with the triage job was all eaten up by daycare and kiddo neccessities.

So..anywho...ohhh...i have made a vow to myself to not take my worries home with me at my current job... I seriously think that's what got me looking for a different job in the first place. I had a horrible night a few weeks ago...and I came home worried about the patient and feeling bad about myself as a nurse....I can't do that anymore....that's where my stress comes from!!!! I have been told by many that I'm an excellent nurse...I guess i just have to start believing it more and not take things home with me and dwell on them!!!!!

Ok..that's it...thanks again everyone....you are all great..

hugs,

snoop'

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · Nov 2, 2005

Congrats on your decision!

p.s...there is no perfect job.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Nov 3, 2005

Congratulations! My sense is that you really made the right decision for you at this time of your life.