Peds NP or Public Health NP

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I graduated NP school this summer. My RN background was 26 years of ICU.

I have two offers: One is Family Planning NP at local Health Department - definitely a pay cut - but no holidays, no weekends, no nights, plus pension, and 3 weeks paid vacation per year....I'm already 50 years old - so retirement is important.

The other offer is Pediatric office NP - pay is 20K difference annually (higher). But they are open 7 days a week/365 days a year - shifts rotate 9-6 & 12-9, plus rotate holidays and required 1 weekend a month. Also has a no compete contract.

Since this will be my first NP position - I could use any advice and recommendations. I have to make a decision within the next week. Wherever I choose I want to stay until I retire. I am wondering if the pension plan in public health is worth the pay cut. I know these are two different areas, and I love them both...

Any advice/recommendations are greatly appreciated! I am hoping some of the seasoned NP's can offer some insight.

Thank You!

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One thing I have found is that quality of life is the most important factor when considering a job. Would you want to miss the holidays with your family every other year? Also, making that extra $20,000 may only end up being $5K if it puts you into a different tax bracket, I would run the numbers through a paycheck calculator and see what the taxes and take home pay look like for your state. Depending on where you live, working for public health/state agency can provide huge benefits in terms of retirement and loan repayment. I would not sign a no compete clause regardless.

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

I've heard numerous times never to take a no compete contract.

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Specializes in peds.

It's your decision but I would take the public health. Money isn't everything and I think you should consider how important weekends and holidays off maybe to you. I'm also thinking the peds job would be a lot of oncall hours.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

The public health job sounds better in so many ways.

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its really up to you. quality of life is really important. Everyone wants higher pay of course but you should really weight the pros and cons. As a new NP I think sharpening your skills and also learning more about your new role is important in the long run also as this will make you marketable for future jobs as well. So think about how much pay/benefits you want and also your future marketability. Its always good to find a balance

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