Should I take a job that pays less in order to be home at night with my child?

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Specializes in ICU, transplant, dialysis, med-surg.

I am a very new NP working for a hospitalist group. I love what I do, I just don't love the long hours. I was a dialysis nurse prior to becoming a NP. I received a call without applying for a job from the nephrologists office manager. She was asking if I would be interested in a job with them. Originally that is what I went back to school for. I always wanted to be a NP, but I loved my dialysis patients.

With my current job I work 12 hour shifts for seven days straight. I don't get home until it is time for my son to go to bed. I love having a week off but feel like I'm a terrible mom the week that I work. I know I won't make as much with the nephrologist office but will be home in time to help my struggling child study. Plus, I admitted a patient yesterday that had a new fistula for dialysis in preparation to start treatment. I felt myself getting excited about being able to answer some questions for her about dialysis. I see some of my old patients out shopping or somewhere and I just get a warm, fuzzy feeling.

I know it will be a HUGE pay cut. But, I have the need to be a mom. Has anyone worked for nephrology before?

Thanks

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Follow your heart, im a dialysis nurse and i love it. Im applying now to go to NP school with high hopes to stay in Nephrology when im done...

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I actually entered into case management for reasons you mentioned. Prior to cm, I was an ER nurse working all kinds of shifts that did not work for me as a mom. I currently work from home for a major insurance company, make more money and love the flexibility of being home for my family. My hope is to continue this lifestyle once I become a NP.

I will have to have at least one year experience as a NP to qualify for a work at home position, but it has saved my family life, which is more important to me than anything.

The work at home NP position requires the np to see patients in the field, however the remainder of your work is done at home. I wish you the best in your decision, follow your heart..children grow up so fast.

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Hospitalist jobs aren't easy to come by but you gotta do what you gotta do.

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Specializes in nursing education.

TraumaRUs is an APN with a nephrology group, she might be able to help you.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Thanks SHGR - you are right - this is exactly what I do.

Actually in my area, I make more than the hospitalist APNs. Its all about negotiation. I do travel though and have some long hours. I currently round on 4 dialysis units for a total of 160 pts. The closest unit is 23 miles from my house and the furthest away is about 70 miles. I have 49,000 miles on my vehicle (purchased 08/2013 new). My compensation package is phenomenal!

I do phone call only every 5th weekend (there are five of us rounding). I am on call M-F from 0600-1700 and on the weekends from 0700-1900 on my call weekend.

Can I ask in what part of the country you live in?

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You child will only be home for a short time in the span of your life. You will probably never regret placing your family as a priority. There is time in life to pursue the career goals after he is launched. Our work does not define us - the love we share with our closest dear ones does. Living to work is different than working to live. Money is cold substitute for a relationship with our children.

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Specializes in ICU, transplant, dialysis, med-surg.

I live in Mississippi. I was a dialysis nurse for 15 years prior to becoming an APRN. I loved my patients and miss them. I'm not good at negotiating. The NP's usually don't take call here. They round in the dialysis units and see clinic patients. The going rate for the town I live in is $80,000 - $90,000/yr. I currently drive an hour to work and my salary is $100,00/yr. I know there is no way I would get that. But, I have only been there for about 4 months. I was with this group for 2 semesters in school and they hired me. I feel as though I will be doing wrong by them if I quit but on the other hand my son is doing poorly in school on his tests the week that I am working. He makes better the weeks that I am home. I'm doing a lot of soul searching right now. But, the nephrology group hasn't gotten back with me on an interview time yet either. I know they have two of us to apply but they called me. I did not apply or anything. They just called me out of the blue since I had worked so many years with them as a dialysis nurse and most of those years were as the charge nurse of a chronic unit.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hard decision. In the end though, my child would win out.

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Specializes in nursing education.

A patient population you love...hours that make sense with your life vs those that don't...reasonable commute vs. Hour each way (how much is that commute costing you?) Seems like a simple decision to me, but money is not my main motivator. I took a pay cut for the job I have now for exactly these reasons, and have never regretted it.

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Specializes in hospice.

Your child only gets one childhood, and you only get one chance to raise him. Look at it through that lens, and I think your answer is clear.

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

I wouldn't take a huge pay cut just to be home with my kid. Yes, they are only young once, but your schedule actually allows you to be home way more than many working moms.

That being said, it sounds like you have a passion for dialysis patients and would thrive in that new position. If I were you, I would absolutely take it, as long as you are cognizant of the fact that it might be really hard to get another inpatient position. A pay cut is worth it for a job you love with hours that work better for your family.

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