Take a pay cut to go to office

Nurses General Nursing

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I currently work in Interventional Radiology department and I HATE it. The big factor is the work hours. Of course when I interviewed HR told me it would be m-f morning 8hr shifts and every 4th weekend for call. Well I have been working 5 10-12hr shifts plus every other weekend call. About 4 days of call a week. I was looking at Clinical Research office job which is new area for me but salary would be starting $10k less a year than what I get now. Dr did mention a lot of benefits as no call or weekends, kid friendly, and when get certified higher salary, regular hours during week, and other benefits..hour lunch and paid for and yearly office trips. But it is a pay cut and they offer no benefits. Husband works prn at hospital currently and so I currently carry the benefits but was looking into buying health insurance. We have new baby and toddler and I feel like I never have time to spend with them at all.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I agree with an above post; the kids are only young once. I am glad I spent a lot of time with mine, making very little money when they were young. I have no regrets and got to be there for all their "firsts". So worth it.

That might not be the only way. :) Sure when they are cute and cuddly its more rewarding perhaps but a close friend worked full time when her's were little and cut back when they got to the pre-teen age in an effort to be available and watch them like a hawk when in her opinion more life altering things could go wrong. She went back full time when the youngest started college. N=2 but they graduated college alive and well without pregnancy or addictions and are delightful responsible young adults now.

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Hey I think being active in my children life from baby stage to teenage is important. I'm not going to lie working 5 10-12hr days plus every other weekend and call doesn't exactly light my fire. I would rather have the time with my kids then make large sum of money I don't have time to enjoy.

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Maybe I missed it, but I am curious what your husband's opinion is?

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This is my take as someone who did 7 years in the hospital.....You'll always get better pay in hospital jobs with call/overtime/irregular hours. If you can do without the extra $20K or whatever per year, most outpatient and/or non-hospital jobs will give you a much better quality of life. My experience outside of the hospital has been as a case manager and school nurse. I find the regular hours and having holidays and weekends off are worth more to me than making bank. I have zero stress when I get home. I never have to negotiate for time off. I like that I have time to unwind after work because I'm not getting home after 8pm. Another advantage to non-hospital jobs is that you'll get to grow in some skills that have much broader use in business/office/administrative world. Research is a little different because you still do some nurse stuff, but you also do some academic stuff. The great thing about that type of job is you'll rule your own roost. Sure you'll have a supervisor, but as far as your day to day life you'll likely have a lot of flexibility and be able to lead, rather than just do what a physician tells you to do all day long. The no benefits thing is a bit of a downer. You can always buy health insurance, but it is nice to have paid vacation and matched 401k contributions.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Research has its stresses, but it is pretty great. If you can make it work without causing financial stress you should go for it.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

I work for less in physician office, but after 45 years, it is far physically less demanding

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My husband is supportive on whatever I want to do. I know he hasn't liked my work schedule either and has definitely taken its toll on my family.

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I currently work in Interventional Radiology department and I HATE it. The big factor is the work hours. Of course when I interviewed HR told me it would be m-f morning 8hr shifts and every 4th weekend for call. Well I have been working 5 10-12hr shifts plus every other weekend call. About 4 days of call a week. I was looking at Clinical Research office job which is new area for me but salary would be starting $10k less a year than what I get now. Dr did mention a lot of benefits as no call or weekends, kid friendly, and when get certified higher salary, regular hours during week, and other benefits..hour lunch and paid for and yearly office trips. But it is a pay cut and they offer no benefits. Husband works prn at hospital currently and so I currently carry the benefits but was looking into buying health insurance. We have new baby and toddler and I feel like I never have time to spend with them at all.

Good luck buying your own health insurance. I pay $850.00 a month with a $6500.00 deductible for just myself. Add in a spouse and you're looking at half your income going for health insurance plus you will pay for all your own healthcare until that yearly deductible is reached. It makes more sense to stay where you are, at least money wise.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Honestly, I would strongly reconsider this if you are the one carrying the health insurance. Unless your husband plans on going full-time, expect to take a HUMONGOUS cut. Private insurance rates are INSANE. It is much cheaper to get coverage through your employer.

I say this as someone who is taking a 10k/yr pay cut by switching shifts and decreasing my weekend requirements. I wouldn't do this if I had to buy my own health insurance too (medical, dental and vision cost, after employer "discount" credits, cost nearly 70/paycheck).

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"I like money too but value my time with my children more."

You have answered your own question. You will always have a job, you will not always have time with your children.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

A clinical research position could be a real boon to your career. In all likelihood, you'll get a chance to get published, go to conferences, which allows you to network w/other nurse researchers. You'll also get a chance to teach (probably). You'll need to do a lot of 'homework' about whatever you're researching, but, if you do, it will be payoff big time.

If what they are researching interests you, go for it. But you will work hard, just in a different way.

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Why is your husband only working PRN?

One of you has to bring home the benefits.

HOw much is your childcare currently costing?

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