Pay versus better hours? or IP vs OP

[vegnurse21]

I've been working on an adult inpatient unit for about 3.5 years now. We got a new manager and things have been going downhill since. The changes have been overwhelming and although some were needed, some are downright unfair. There's a lot of favoritism and new rules. One of the new rules is that in addition to already working weekends (8 hr shift ppl do every other, 12 hr shift ppl do every third) we have to sign up for a weekend on call shift every other schedule. Doesn't sound like a lot but that means your weekend schedule you get ONE totally work free weekend out of that schedule. Esp for the 8 hour people - that SUCKS. I do 12s so it's not as bad but it's still very unfair when it comes down to the "favorites" not having to do it at all and the rest of us minions having to. Ugh.

So we have several mental health agencies in the area and I am interviewing Thursday for a nurse care manager position. It's lower pay, but no weekends no holidays (holidays and 17 vacation days are paid). My pay will decrease by what looks like about $100-150 per paycheck. That's a lot. But better hours, and probably a better job. I will have to go into the community every once in awhile to see patients in their homes. Most of the areas these people live in are low income and I will be encountering bed bugs, very poor living conditions, bad areas to be in, etc. I won't lie - that makes me very hesitant to do this job. I know I CAN do it but do I want to expose myself to that a lot? However, that's just one aspect of the job and a lot of it is done in the outpatient facility.

Is there anyone here that's worked as a care manager for an outpatient facility that's psych specific? What did you like/dislike about it? And what would you guys do with this? Are the better hours worth the lower pay?