who has taken a pay cut, willingly

Published

Just curious as to how many people took a pay cut to switch to a job that has better hours or is more enjoyable or closer to home?

How much of a cut did you take?

I was offered a job that would be nice, in a plastic surgeon's office but the pay cut would be $16-17 an hour. It's also further from home. So I declined.

I would happily take a pay cut of say $5 and hour, maybe 10 but no more than that.

Specializes in CCM, PHN.

I used to get worked like a mule at my old job in a busy ambulatory clinic that was part of a large Magnet hospital system. I made the most money I've ever made in my life, because of overtime and understaffing, but spent it quickly on psychotherapy, chiropractor, podiatrist bills and booze.

I took a desk job in a case management department of a mid-size medical group. I make about $350-$400 less a month & the benefits aren't as good, but it is TOTALLY, COMPLETELY worth it. I started 10 months ago and I've lost weight, my relationship is better, I quit drinking so much, my feet are healed, I sleep well and have time and energy to be active and happy.

Money usually isn't worth it's own price.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I appreciate everyone's posts! I feel so much better about my choice to take a pay cut. Thanks for the encouragement and to be able to look forward to a better quality of life.

Chelle

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

On paper, it doesn't look like I got a pay cut in this new salarly position. But in reality I spend so many more hours working, that if I broke it down by the hour,I would be making 1/2 of the hourly rate I was making working bedside.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I used to be an agency nurse and made good money. I took a 50% pay cut when I decided to go fulltime. I wanted the benefits & pension plan. The consistency in benefits, pay, and location was huge deciding factor for me. Essentially, I was tired if inconsistency in working conditions. The money wasn't worth it for me. I wanted to get off the floor. So I chose a specialty off the floor with benefits.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I took a job that pays about 60% of what I was making before, but I love it, and my boss is great. It was completely worth it, and my family agrees, even if we do have to pinch pennies a bit.

That is a major pay cut.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

Will be taking a pay cut. Going from nights to days, no more differential. Worth it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I too took a pay cut.. It was $5.00/hr, but so beyond worth it at the time. I was on the verge of a meltdown due to impossible assignments and ridiculous staff. The only place I left with no notice was the place I made the most. I hated to see the money go, but I honestly could not take it another day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I took a 15% pay-cut to go to day shift. It was worth every penny.

I turned down a job that paid ) $16/hr more an hour right after I found out I was pregnant (it involved moving). After I have my baby I am returning part time (less pay obviously) and will have more taken out of my paycheck for benefits; still worth it, money isn't everything. Sure it's needed to pay the bills, but there are a lot of extras that people think they need in life that really don't matter.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

For me, it would depend on WHY I was taking a paycut. When I have children, I wouldn't mind moving from a hospital to become a school nurse (they make about 10-15k/yr less where I'm from( so I could be with my babies (and cut out the after care!). I would also take a paycut if I got my dream specialty (NICU).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took a pay cut to go from an hour+ commute to a 10 minute commute and regretted it almost immediately. The savings in commute costs didn't quite break even and I hated the new job. I'm back at the old job and am much happier.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I took a $3/hour paycut for a job that was days and away from the bedside. Don't regret it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

I'm about to take a $10 dollar an hour pay cut work in ICU. I was fortunate to get a high paying job as a new grad, but was unable to get into ICU at the facility. I REALLY want ICU, and the 10/hour cut brings me down to area average for my years of experience. I'm in so cal. I'll be going from 46 to 36 an hour. I'm in my twenties though, and I feel like I have too long of a career ahead of me to focus on the $10 cut. I usually work a lot of OT or agency on the side, so the 10/hour shouldn't be too noticeable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion