Transfer to Floor, Same Hospital, Lower Pay

[Lam0126]

I have been working within the same hospital for 21 months in California. I currently do not work on the floor, but within an non clinical department, however, I am utilizing my RN license. I do administer a few medications and Start IVs if needed. But not often. I do not have floor experience, but I did work within the OR for 8 months after graduating a few years ago. Working within my non clinical environment is fairly easy and the pay is great, however, we are not using our nursing skills 95 percent of the time. In addition, there is no growth. I am pretty much stuck in this position. I've been trying to transfer for a long time, but it's been difficult with out clinical experience, but recently I was accepted for transfer within an new grad program on an oncology unit within my current hospital. I'm technically not a new graduate, have been a nurse for four years. However, they said the pay would be less, even though, I am a current employee. My current pay would not transfer over, because I would be considered a clinical nurse I, so I would be receiving a pay cut of about 3.36 per hour. I am not sure if it's worth it, less pay for more work on the unit. I keep thinking the experience would eventually bring me more pay in the end. What do you guys think..take the new job or stay?

[sauconyrunner]

Do you get a 3pm and after differential? It might work out to about the same in the end, look at your differential and weekend/holiday type pay.

It depends on where you are in your career, it seems you are starting out, and so yea, I think it might be worth it. For me...I am planning on working about 20 more years only, not 40....and I would like to save my aching back. So for me, moving into anything clinical again would not be worth it. (Though I might have to...who knows!)

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I am assuming you are not in a union? If you are, then I would get familiar with your contract as to rates of pay, and speak with your union rep regarding the same for information. And if you are non-union, then yes, differentials add up, so you may not be losing pay at all. And it may be that the clinical expereince will be worth it, as for now, if you are not getting any clinical experience, it may be to your advantage in the long run. If you work oncology, as you get experience, you may also have the opportunity to get certified. Which again, may be worth it. If you can make it work, and onocology is an interest you have, I would not pass up this opportunity, as you may end up not finding anything that is the same or higher pay than you are currently getting.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I personally wouldn't take the pay cut unless I hated my current position. I am a middle aged nurse and not looking to advance a whole lot though. To me, that's a pretty big cut.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

I keep thinking the experience would eventually bring me more pay in the end. What do you guys think..take the new job or stay?

If "more pay in the end" is what you are looking for, go ahead and take the new gig.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

Is the pay cut temporary while you are on orientation? OR experience is not really applicable to the floor but I would argue that you have learned SOMETHING that is applicable to the floor. Maybe you can negotiage a higher rate if you can lay out any skill sets that might be applicable.