So I've been an RN since 2012, worked in the hospital on a Med/Surg floor and have worked in Public Health for the past 3 years. I have an interview on Monday (phone prelim interview) for a school nursing position. My big problem is that now I make 50k per year and I would be taking a pretty good pay cut.....but the hours are great (M-T 7:30 to 2:30) and I would eliminate afterschool care for my kiddos.
I would love some input from you who may have taken a pay cut to get into school nursing and if you have been happy with that decision.
Thanks everyone for your input! It's going to be a difficult decision any way I look at it. I went from a hospital position to a public health position and really don't ever want to go back to shift work í ½í¸Š
I have 2 interviews this week, the school nurse position which is through another county health department that borders the county I work for. now...and an interview with the local VA clinic.
So many pros and cons to each opportunity. I just can't swallow a 20k pay cut. Even with deducting my children's after school/summer care (10k) I would still have a good chunk of a loss. I'm going to interview and see what they say. The VA job is also a great opportunity because they don't come around often either and that would be an increase in pay and still no shift work (8-430 M-F).
I have thought of the idea of supplement with camps and PRN if I were to take the SN job. Either way I'm in quite the pickle!
Interviewed today and it went really well! It was a phone interview so it was hard not to have the face to face connection. I have an interview for another position I'm looking into on Thursday. They said they would call me either way so we shall see. The big issue is the pay. I just don't see how I can take that pay cut......the right thing will happen
When you are hired in a school nurse position, you have 5 years to complete your credential on top of being an r.n. It would be wise to check out what is required in accepting a school nurse position. It varies from state to state. I too worked in a hospital for several years before becoming a school nurse. I have not regretted it one day, even though you may expect a pay cut, I am learning something new each day I am at work. I cover 3 k-6 and one 7-8. It is a job with great responsibility, but also very rewarding when you realize the difference you make in the lives of your students!
Worrying about money all the time would be stressful and kids get more expensive as they get older. If you're having doubts you could swing it on a school nurse salary then take the other job. School nursing is NOT a perfect stress free job. Yes the time off is a perk but if you're having to work summers to make ends meet then you wouldn't be actually getting that perk as much. School nursing doesn't pay as well (one reason) because you only get paid for whatever the contract is (ours is 200 days) which is more like part time once all the days off are figured in. From what you've said, I'd pick the other job. It sounds like a great option.
AmberRN2012
15 Posts
Thanks everyone for your input! It's going to be a difficult decision any way I look at it. I went from a hospital position to a public health position and really don't ever want to go back to shift work í ½í¸Š
I have 2 interviews this week, the school nurse position which is through another county health department that borders the county I work for. now...and an interview with the local VA clinic.
So many pros and cons to each opportunity. I just can't swallow a 20k pay cut. Even with deducting my children's after school/summer care (10k) I would still have a good chunk of a loss. I'm going to interview and see what they say. The VA job is also a great opportunity because they don't come around often either and that would be an increase in pay and still no shift work (8-430 M-F).
I have thought of the idea of supplement with camps and PRN if I were to take the SN job. Either way I'm in quite the pickle!
Tangled webs huh?