Taking a pay cut to enter into Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm going to ask the same question here that I asked in the NJ section but got no response. I spent two years get my BSN through an accelerated program and recently will be going on an interview. However, now I am faced with the prospect of taking a significant pay cut to enter into nursing. I am not happy in my current career and I'm at a point that I want to do something worthwhile with my life and that I feel a sense of accomplishment. I can also afford to take the pay cut at this point in my life.

I wanted to know if there was anyone out there that has done the same thing and if they have looking back on their decision, was it worth it??? or am I just flat out crazy for even considering this option..... :confused:

I'm interested to hear the responses.

I'm in much the same position as you dragn2623, except that I cannot afford the pay cut just yet. My original plan was to become an RN, work part-time in nursing for a year or 2, then return to school for my MSN to become a CNP. At that point, I'd be in position to take early retirement from my present job and could withstand the pay cut to enter nursing full-time.

It seemed like a reasonable plan when I began it and I finished the first step with no problems. Step 2 has me stymied though and I'm probably going to go directly to Step 3 instead.

I am amazed that so many individuals in this forum have alluded for me not to do it.... it definately gives me alot to think about.

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Sometimes you have to take a few steps backwards to make a few steps forward.

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I am still in school but I also have a prior BS. I will be taking a pay cut of a few dollars, if the economy stays the same or I may be right at what I was making in my previous field.

I chose nursing after some life experiences and I am happy to give up a few dollars that I know I will eventually make back up. I was so unhappy in my previous field that they really could not pay me enough to stay in it.

I made a choice based on personal satisfaction not really money. Though the money is not bad in nursing, so that is a nice plus.

I hope that helps and good luck in whatever you choose to do!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.

In my former life I was making in the upper $80,000's / year but didn't like my job. Now as a nurse I'm making mid $40,000's. To tell you the truth I couldn't care less about the money as I've always had the feeling that if I have enough, it's OK. And mid 40's is enough. I doubt I could have brought myself to choose to quit my old field and jump into the unknown of nursing even though I'd been thinking about it for years. Fortunately my old employer took the decision from my hands and laid me off.

What does give me pause though is my old job was a professional job. I could set my own pace etc as long as the job got done. I'm getting a bit old for switching from a professional career to a blue collar job and the hours on my feet, running here and there at other's beck and call, and having very little control over my day is difficult for me. However doing some good for people does make up for it.

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In my former life I was making in the upper $80,000's / year but didn't like my job. Now as a nurse I'm making mid $40,000's. To tell you the truth I couldn't care less about the money as I've always had the feeling that if I have enough, it's OK. And mid 40's is enough. I doubt I could have brought myself to choose to quit my old field and jump into the unknown of nursing even though I'd been thinking about it for years. Fortunately my old employer took the decision from my hands and laid me off.

What does give me pause though is my old job was a professional job. I could set my own pace etc as long as the job got done. I'm getting a bit old for switching from a professional career to a blue collar job and the hours on my feet, running here and there at other's beck and call, and having very little control over my day is difficult for me. However doing some good for people does make up for it.

I'm in the very same situation.... I DON't like my job...... i fact I detest it. .... In fact in the pharma field, I could get laid off at any time... it is very lean times right now and I truly believe that another round of LO's are in the future...My current job is a professional job, but my life is not my own... I'm there at 7Am and there till 7 PM.... and though I'm not serving others persay, I still believe that I meant to do more with myself than sit behind a desk....

I'm lucky to to be able to consider this endeavor because my husband is the breadwinner otherwise this would not be an option for me. I appreciate you perspective!

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I quit my current job to finish my last 2 semesters of school and survived on very little. I just started my new job and have now realized that I am making slightly less and have to pay more for benefits that don't come close to what I used to have. I am an ADN nurse. I know that alot of nurses end up making money with overtime/ and differentials etc. Although getting more education will not equal much more in pay. I am going to stay in school. BSN will get paid 0.90 cents more MSN will pay $10 more. The good thing is there are many different areas I can go into that will eventually have more earning potential. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I am going to be blunt and many newbies still in love with the idea of "making a difference to humanity" will disagree, and I mean NO disrespect to them, they are our future and I love them.

I am not disgruntled but will be honest and point blank here. After 15 years, with all the shift differentials working nights I make $35/hr. Sounds incredible doesn't it!

-I'm exposed without warning to TB, HIV and Hepatitis as well as MRSA and bring that home to my family

-I"m an ICU nurse, so I'm responsible for wiping the behind every 30 minutes of a GI bleed, the noncompliant renal failure getting kayexallate, the liver failure getting lactulose, the patient that refuses to use the call bell and just poops in the bed, the sedated patient on tube feeds that can't help it.

-The confused patient that is spitting and bites and kicks and hurts me, and no they are all not confused.

-The 86 year old patient end stage cancer DNR, that the family demands we code, against patient wishes.. again and again and again with no hope of a peaceful death.

-The drug seeker that manipulates, yells, demeans me with demands and calls management on me whom reply with "make them happy so our satisfaction scores are high no matter what"

-the 20yr. old that is in every, YES every week with DKA (they don't take their insulin and their body eats itself for food)... demanding high dose pain meds, a meal and the TV clicker and the VCR.

-The very routine 300lb-600 lb patients that have broken my back and my knees that refuse to lift a drink cup to their mouth and demand me to cater to them... but obviously could feed themselves.

-The shooting victims whom are "pillars of our society" that have every local "homey" on the street coming in all acting up carrying on deterring from really sick patients.

- The patients whom are kept alive on live support, suffering with no quality of life for TWO more weeks until the family gets that next social security check... and the first and 15th of the month is very common to withdraw life support after noon when the checks have cleared.

-Overdoses that result in multisystem body failures when they were simply a cry for help, many resulting in brain injuries which cause a vegatative status, while some wake up and scream that they failed

-Family drama, dysfunctional families in their worst stressful moments that bring all that crap into where I work and they make their issues more important than my patients.

-Management, all through a shift of this that rides my chaffed behind wanted 20 pages of charting filled out to get medical reimbursement while my patient is crashing, and my other one is one of the above.

Finally... the documenting... I have to cover my behind while writing a phone book because eveyone wants a quick buck and they'll sue me...and they do because there is always fault to find because we're simply human, trying our best in these and many more circumstances.

If you think this is worth $35/hr... knock your silly behind out. I have yet to teach you about press gainey and patient satisfaction scores... all while we have 24 hr. open visitation... have at it.

I need combat pay.:devil: That is the REAL world of being a nurse, what you do in between that makes a difference... barely keeps you whole.

DOn't forget working Christmas, New Years, Saturday, Sundays. 24/7, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Throught rain or sleet or snow in hurricaines and tornadoes.......the patients don't go home because of bad weather or because it's your baby's first christmas.

I stayed because I loved being a nurse..........

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Specializes in Near Future: ED, Future Future: ACNP!.
I am amazed that so many individuals in this forum have alluded for me not to do it.... it definately gives me alot to think about.[/quote

I'm in a similar situation. Pharma ~10 yrs, in school for BSN and will go for NP. I've found that a lot of people are burned out in this forum and will advise anyone against getting into nursing.

You need to try it out for yourself and do what is right for you. If you can afford the pay cut, check it out. If you hate it, you have so much to fall back on! There is soooo much you can do in nursing! Not to mention, you can work in pharma with an RN!

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I am amazed that so many individuals in this forum have alluded for me not to do it.... it definately gives me alot to think about.[/quote

I'm in a similar situation. Pharma ~10 yrs, in school for BSN and will go for NP. I've found that a lot of people are burned out in this forum and will advise anyone against getting into nursing.

You need to try it out for yourself and do what is right for you. If you can afford the pay cut, check it out. If you hate it, you have so much to fall back on! There is soooo much you can do in nursing! Not to mention, you can work in pharma with an RN!

Can you tell me what you did in pharma...and what prompted you to go into Nursing?

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Specializes in Near Future: ED, Future Future: ACNP!.

Can you tell me what you did in pharma...and what prompted you to go into Nursing?

I worked in market research/analytics and now in clinical development (I am working while in school). Part of market research was interviewing physicians and nurses about the products they use, treatments, conditions, and patients, etc...

I found out early on that I was really good with medical stuff and my brain absorbed everything related to pharmacology and disease states. I decided I didn't want to work for a pharma company but would be better off in direct care. Plus, I can't stand sitting at a desk all day. I was just waiting for the right time. I got laid off from my job and decided that was the time. I found another job in clinical development working on safety and adverse events while I am in school.

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I worked in market research/analytics and now in clinical development (I am working while in school). Part of market research was interviewing physicians and nurses about the products they use, treatments, conditions, and patients, etc...

I found out early on that I was really good with medical stuff and my brain absorbed everything related to pharmacology and disease states. I decided I didn't want to work for a pharma company but would be better off in direct care. Plus, I can't stand sitting at a desk all day. I was just waiting for the right time. I got laid off from my job and decided that was the time. I found another job in clinical development working on safety and adverse events while I am in school.

I'm in Regulatory Affairs.... and like you I'm a sponge when it comes to anything medical. I wish you luck with your nursing endeavor...

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Specializes in Near Future: ED, Future Future: ACNP!.

I'm in Regulatory Affairs.... and like you I'm a sponge when it comes to anything medical. I wish you luck with your nursing endeavor...

I wish you luck as well!

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