Taking a Pay Cut To Get Out of Nursing

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Sep 16, 2010

applescruffette, what kind of work do you do?

I've been a medical transcriptionist for 5-1/2 years.

cherryames1949 · Sep 16, 2010

Nursing is such a flexible occupation. I have loved being able to work out of the 9 to 5 framework. I have worked in the hospital, a doctors office, home care and an infusion center. I have also done private duty. I can't think of another profession that would allow me such flexibility in settings and work hours. It has certainly had its stresses and frustrations but all in all I have been satisfied with my career choice. :nurse:

swterry · Sep 16, 2010

I have been a nurse paralegal for several years. I've also been a claims reviewer evaluating Vioxx claims packages and assigning settlement values. Law firms (especially those who specialize in medical malpractice, products liability, class action settlements, insurance defense, personal injury) will usually pay a premium for someone with a nursing background. However, once you get involved in litigation with drop dead deadlines, you never know when you can leave work, and you may have to work weekends or travel for weeks at a time to trials in other cities. You are also obligated to bill a certain number of hours each year (so you're tracking each 6 minute interval of the day and figuring out which client to charge). Overtime is basically a given ... you absolutely have to get the work done on deadline, and may have to take it home with you. So really, you are lucky to get 2 full days off each week. You have to juggle many long term deadlines. I'm now looking at an RN Refresher class to return to working three 12 hour days ... grass seems to always be greener, doesn't it.

SWS RN, ASN, RN · Sep 16, 2010

Your pay cut, if any, will depend on the type of job your taking, exempt or non-exempt, etc. There are many nursing jobs for 9-5 where you won't take a pay cut. You say you are going into a non nursing job. What type of job is it? It can be a major pay cut depending on the type of job.
And let me add a note here: I always wanted a 9-5 M-F job until I got one. What a major pain to be in the same place at the same time every day!! Then you are left with your weekends (like everyone else) to get things done. Stores are more crowded, movies are full, dining out means a long line and trying to get a doctors appointment or get your car fixed is another matter altogether. I hated it. I will take my three 12 hour shifts over a 9-5 job any day.

That is exactly what I was going to say...

I work as a nurse case manager for multiple insurance companies...so it's away from all of the clinical stress--and what everyone is talking about.

It is a desk job and I figure if they want to pay me a very decent salary to sit in air conditioning all day on my butt, then that's fine... :lol2:

Actually, I jest...it's very stressful, just different. It is far enough away from the clinical aspect that I almost feel like I am out of the field, however, it does require medical knowlege, so I am using my RN.

BUT....

I did take a $6.00/hour cut in pay...and I HATE WORKING DAYS...especially 5 days a week...

I am so sick of people saying to me "aren't you glad to get away from those 12 hour night shifts? and work a normal schedule?".....Heck NO...a normal schedule for me

IS 12 HOUR NIGHT SHIFTS......

oh, and did I mention that I hate working days--5 days a week?

I still stay up all night on Friday and Saturday nights--it's my guilty little pleasure.

So--something for everybody.

s

RNCEN · Sep 16, 2010

I am only a nursing student (older, non traditional)....but I will say that sometimes the grass is greener. There is always an element of unpredictability, hostile co-workers, schedule problems, etc.

That said, sometimes a change is just what you need to rejuvenate yourself! I am taking a pay cut to get into health care. I had enough with my previous career, and needed a change. In the end, you need to do what works for you. The decision will certainly not be easy. Leaving a "comfort zone" and decent money is tough.

I wish you luck with whatever you do!

SWS RN, ASN, RN · Sep 16, 2010

I am only a nursing student (older, non traditional)....but I will say that sometimes the grass is greener. There is always an element of unpredictability, hostile co-workers, schedule problems, etc.
That said, sometimes a change is just what you need to rejuvenate yourself! I am taking a pay cut to get into health care. I had enough with my previous career, and needed a change. In the end, you need to do what works for you. The decision will certainly not be easy. Leaving a "comfort zone" and decent money is tough.
I wish you luck with whatever you do!

And good luck to you,

Nursing was also my second career and I went into it as an "older, nontraditional" student, too.

It is very hard to find a nursing job today, especially as a new grad...so I really hope you considered this before bailing on your other career.

One word of advice...if it is something you can do--keep a door open to your old job...you never know what you may want to do.

Nursing is a VERY rough career...and now it's even harder with the shortage of job openings.

Did you always want to be a nurse? or is this a career change based on the old idea that "nursing is inflation proof"...because, it is not!

I wish you well, :redpinkhe

S

mfrancisco · Sep 16, 2010

I am a first semester nursing student in the San Francisco Bay Area, and we have been made aware of how horrific the job market is for new grads around here. I already knew b/c three of my friends are RNs, and told me about it. However, they still encouraged me to do nursing. The pay at my old job is just about 10k less than nursing, so it really wasn't worth going through two years of school for the RN if I really didn't want to do it. I really want to be a nurse, and am happy I took the plunge. It is scary, though. Nobody wants to be unemployed after working so hard through school.

RNCEN · Sep 16, 2010

Thank you. I am not one to burn bridges, so the door was left wide open. I did not always want to be a nurse. I have friends who are nurses and like it. I enjoy science, medicine, and being around people. I chose nursing for these reasons, and also because it will give me the opportunity to continue my education and open doors later in my career. I am no stranger to "rough" careers, so hopefully that will aid me in the future. I know times are tough right now, but that certainly won't last forever. I can only give it my best, work hard, and be dedicated. That is something I have always done. If things don't work out, then they don't work out....but I won't be asking myself "what if" 10 years from now.

Thank you for your insight...we have a lot to learn from experienced people like you!!

Back to topic....sorry to hijack.

leenak · Sep 17, 2010

Career Changes - I am like you, I am looking to take a large pay cut to go into nursing. I have a desk job and for the past few years, I've been looking at various 'active' jobs but none really attracted me until I looked into nursing. I've been quasi thinking about it for about a year and plan to enroll in a CC next term to start the pre-reqs!

Leelee2 · Sep 17, 2010

Happiness is more important than $. When you spend half of your life at work, being happy at least part of that time is important too.

SWS RN, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2010

I agree that happiness is extremely important in your career...but as I am sure you have all read the posts that are often considered "vents" about our jobs...we are not kidding, often we are not happy in our day to day jobs, this can be a Brutal profession...it can also be extraordinarily rewarding. And always stimulating and interesting.

CareerChanges--you say you enjoy science, medical issues and being around people. Yes, nursing involves that...but oh, my gosh, so much more. The non fun, non glam stuff they don't tell you about.

Since you didn't have that "calling" from the time you were little as so many do and you say you are basing your decision somewhat on what your friends say as well, I would suggest maybe you volunteer a few times in an acute care setting if you can.

However, If you did indeed put some research into what the actual job entails, then I say "GO FOR IT"...I also am a big believer in not ever saying "what if" many years down the road.

I am glad that you are not being fed a bunch of bull***** about the job market. It is very tight here in South Florida, especially for new grads. I know several experienced nurses who have been searching for over 9 months now without luck.

Anyway...I guess the biggest word of advice I can give you is, go into this with your eyes wide open...since you are not young and naieve, I am sure you intend to.

GOOD LUCK.... :yeah:

s