Taking a paycut for experience?

Sour Lemon · Jul 7, 2018

Hello everyone! New to all nurses. I am currently working on a stepdown unit in a benefited position that pays $72/hr + $7 differential. There is a nearby hospital hiring for ICU training. The issue is that they will be paying $52 dollars and it is a NON-benefited position for 3 months. I would switch to per diem at my current job but losing benefits and over $20 an hour pay cut is a bit steep imo.
In case anyone is wondering, I live/work in the bay area in California. Have been a nurse for 3 years now.
Any ideas or opinions on the matter? Thanks in advance!

For me, that would be too big of a cut for too small of a change. You're already working step-down. It would only be worth considering if you were going from SNF to Labor and Delivery (or something equally unrelated).

EDNURSE20, BSN · Jul 8, 2018

Wait?! You have 3 years experience and earn $72 an hour??? No wonder every one talks about money on here. I had no idea you earned so much in the US. Not even are most senior nurses or even nurse practitioners here in NZ earn that. I have to say, I have a lot less compassion now for US nurses ranting on here, when I'm dealing with the same bullsh*t for $23.79 an hour.

Wuzzie · Jul 8, 2018

Wait?! You have 3 years experience and earn $72 an hour??? No wonder every one talks about money on here. I had no idea you earned so much in the US. Not even are most senior nurses or even nurse practitioners here in NZ earn that. I have to say, I have a lot less compassion now for US nurses ranting on here, when I'm dealing with the same bullsh*t for $23.79 an hour.

The OP lives in California. The cost of living there is astronomical. Many people can't afford homes or even apartments. It is not an accurate reflection of what nurses in the US make. I've been a nurse for over 30 years. He makes almost twice as much as I do. I believe the starting rate for new grads here averages about $24-27 so not much more than what you are making.

Kallie3006, ADN · Jul 8, 2018

I personally would not take that big of a cut plus loss of benefits for a position not much different then where you already are, but that's just me. Do you have an opportunity to cross train where you are now? That would be something I would try to pursue before even considering a drop that significant.

Sour Lemon · Jul 8, 2018

Wait?! You have 3 years experience and earn $72 an hour??? No wonder every one talks about money on here. I had no idea you earned so much in the US. Not even are most senior nurses or even nurse practitioners here in NZ earn that. I have to say, I have a lot less compassion now for US nurses ranting on here, when I'm dealing with the same bullsh*t for $23.79 an hour.

It's well over $1000 to rent a tiny room in someone else's house in that area. And even a small, unlivable, burned down house was on sale for $800,000. That was a few years ago. I'm sure it would be worth more today.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2018

This is a weird question because you have not made any statement about your goals.

Mr_Edwino · Jul 8, 2018

Wait?! You have 3 years experience and earn $72 an hour??? No wonder every one talks about money on here. I had no idea you earned so much in the US. Not even are most senior nurses or even nurse practitioners here in NZ earn that. I have to say, I have a lot less compassion now for US nurses ranting on here, when I'm dealing with the same bullsh*t for $23.79 an hour.

Your rate is about the average nurse pay in the US, maybe a little lower. People in the bay area pay 4K every month in rent for their own place.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2018

Wait?! You have 3 years experience and earn $72 an hour??? No wonder every one talks about money on here. I had no idea you earned so much in the US. Not even are most senior nurses or even nurse practitioners here in NZ earn that. I have to say, I have a lot less compassion now for US nurses ranting on here, when I'm dealing with the same bullsh*t for $23.79 an hour.

Whoa! Back that chicken train right up there. Some nurses still need your compassion.

The San Francisco Bay area is a whole 'nother world of crazy costs and salaries. NOT to be compared to an average nurse in an average area of average America.

New grads in the Seattle area (a relatively high cost of living area) make $30-35 an hour and still have to put together a couple thousand dollars a month for a modest rental apt.

OP, that does seem an awful steep price to pay for ICU training. So, what do you get for the sacrifice? How long/comprehensive is the program? Real classes and a mentor or just use you as slave labor? Do you get a pay raise after completing it? Are you obligated to continue working there for any period of time?

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Jul 8, 2018

The OP lives in California. The cost of living there is astronomical. Many people can't afford homes or even apartments. It is not an accurate reflection of what nurses in the US make. I've been a nurse for over 30 years. He makes almost twice as much as I do. I believe the starting rate for new grads here averages about $24-27 so not much more than what you are making.

I've been a nurse 20 years and don't make much more than $30/hr. As Wuzzie says, it's all relative to area and cost of living for that area. That's why one must take into consideration much more than $$$ when looking at a job

Now back to OP:

what is your end goal? Will you be benefitted and considered FT after the training? Will there be a raise? Is one closer to your home? So many things to look at

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Jul 8, 2018

There is no way I would voluntarily take that kind of paycut and loss of benefits to try out if I would even like working ICU. I don't see the benefit in doing this. Why can't you transfer to the ICU at the hospital you already work at that would make a lot more sense.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2018

$20/hr equates to over $40,000 a year. Add that the loss of benefits and there is no way in Hades that this is worth it.