Taking a pay cut to go into your choice career

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Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.

Hello,

i have just been offered a Sim Lab Cordinator position at a nursing school in my town. And I am currently enrolled to begin my phd this fall. The pros I see in this job is that it gets my feet at the college door and probably into pure academia. Also, the college is across the street from the university where I take classes. And I'm a bit of a tech savvy and love working with props for simulation. The cons are that I am going to have a pay cut.. the salary I am offered in this new job is waaaaaayyyy below what I make now and below what I am worth as a masters prepared nurse. When I talked to my sister about this job, she asked are you looking for the experience or the money? Well, at this time I am looking for the experience.. but money is important too.. especially if you're in a phd prog. I'm still trying to make up my mind. :unsure:

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

If you are coming from a hospital environment to your first taste of academia- brace yourself. The pay is FAR below what you would be paid in a hospital. And sim lab is a 'foot in the door' position and pays poorly. And 'worth' as an MSN is relative- in academia, MSN is like BSN in a hospital- they are everywhere and it is the minimum standard.

I took a HUGE pay cut to go full-time in academia, but it was the right decision for me.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I worked part time as a research assistant during my PhD program -- earning about 1/4 of the cash that I had previously been earning working full time in a hospital. But the job was at the school where I was studying and came with free tuition. So it was super-convenient and gave me great experience -- and paid for my actual schooling. So I was able to graduate with only a very small student loan that I was able to easily pay off within 3 years.

It was 4 of the happiest "career years" of my life.

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I have my bachelors degree in nursing. I wasn't sure where I wanted to go in nursing after that. I didn't just want to jump on the bandwagon and pursue FNP because my heart was not there. In my area so many nurses are pursuing FNP. My last job was in MICU. I realized that I was not happy working in the hospital setting, at least not full time anymore. I was just waiting and praying about my next move in the nursing field. I worked in med-surge for 3 years and ICU Step Down and ICU for 5 years. I had become miserable in the hospital setting.

A nurse educator position became available and I was asked to try this position so I visited the school(LPN Program). I decided to give it a try. The pay cut was mind blowing but after I got over the shock, I had to think about my quality of life. I have learned things about myself that I didn't even know because I was always so stressed working days and sometimes nights (when the night shift was short) holidays, and weekends. I could never plan anything because the schedule had to be put in so far ahead of time.

So I said all that to say that money isn't always what's most important. Don't get me wrong I miss having the extra money but I was willing to modify my spending and lifestyle for quality of life. I am so much happier and at peace within myself. I plan to begin my masters in education this coming fall. The school that I work for is a state school and they pay for 1 course each semester and if I want to take a second course they will reimburse me for it once I have passed it. I hope this helps.

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Specializes in OB/L&D/ patho.

I did and it has taken 10 years to get back to my pay level. I love teaching and am glad I did it!

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Specializes in L&D.

I just accepted a full time tenure track nursing instructor position at a CC. It pays less than half of what I was making working part time as a nurse practitioner, but I HATE my nurse practitioner job. Being an educator is my dream job and I can't wait even though I'll be making significantly less money. I plan to continue working as a RN per diem for a few years to make up the difference. The benefits though are far superior to any nursing job I've ever had!

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Specializes in Education. Public health. Psych board cert..

Teaching is so rewarding in many levels except pay rates. Our lab positions are set at a lower pay than for teaching nurse faculty in the classroom. But, it is a way to enter into the academic setting and present how wonderful a teacher you could be. I enjoy teaching and the improved quality of life I now have.

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