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Discussion

Taking pay cut for a promotion

I currently work night shift as charge nurse in an operating room. Friday,Saturday, and Sunday. I have the opportunity to interview for a surgical coordinator job that has opened up. The issue is the extremely large pay cut. I love what I do at the moment but the schedule can be rough on my home life. Is it ever worth to take a roughly 25% pay cut? It could be a stepping stone to a higher position in the future. But that is not guaranteed

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    • Expert

    I would think that percentage is too much for a person with a family to support, but that is my opinion. I find myself getting upset over seeing divergent rates of pay, when I haven't even been at the higher rate. I can't see myself taking a paycut from a rate that is too low to begin with. There just is not enough payback as listed in your post.

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    • Admin

    I took a roughly $500 take home per check cut when I moved into my current position. No more call, no more shift differential, but higher base salary. I made it work (most of the time- there's the occasional hiccup along the way) and the trade offs are worth it. However, I'm on my own and don't have to worry about providing for a family of humans, just the four-legged ones.

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    I'm willing to take a pay cut just to get off night shift. I'm just waiting for a day shift position to open. Meanwhile, I'm applying elsewhere.

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    It depends entirely on your finances and priorities. Only you and your family know if you can afford to take the pay cut, and if the extra time with family would outweigh the lower salary. I'd talk it over with your family and look closely at your budget (including immediate needs like rent and food, as well as long-term financial goals).

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    I took a HUGE pay cut 2 years ago because the new job was a better schedule and better for my mental health and for my family. I have never looked back. As long as bills are paid, I think happiness day-to-day is more important.

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    • Author

    Switching from nights to days when I was a peds nurse was definitely the right choice but at the time it was only 4 dollars an hour difference

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    • Author

    New plan. We are going to live off what I would bring home with the new job for the next few weeks. Rest going to savings and what not. Pretty cut and dry there.

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    New plan. We are going to live off what I would bring home with the new job for the next few weeks. Rest going to savings and what not. Pretty cut and dry there.

    Good thinking! This is a good way to find out if you can live with the cut in pay!!

    Similar to the others, I had a cut in pay a few times in my career to improve opportunities... but in every case I had a back-up financial source such as another income or two to offset the pay cut. However, the best solution is to be/get out of debt and to live on way less than you make.

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    • Author

    Update: I took the job. During the interview I was also informed that the nursing staff would be getting a 3 dollar raise. Problem solved.

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    Update: I took the job. During the interview I was also informed that the nursing staff would be getting a 3 dollar raise. Problem solved.

    Does this mean you too? Where I work, nurse managers are not considered apart of the "nursing staff."

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    • Author

    Yes, It is not a manager position. It is a coordinator position, which is still considered staff.

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    I hope you are liking your new job.

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