UCSD/Should I take it!?

[SmashRN2]

So this week I was offered a job at the Moores Cancer Center @ UCSD. I am so excited for this opportunity, but being the Nervous Nelly that I am I am thinking of all the reasons not to take the job.

Currently I work in Northern California for a rinkadink little hospital that has a load of problems, and people are dropping like flies. There isn't much room for growth or advancement, and truthfully I've been pretty unhappy there lately. The one thing though is that they pay really well. In fact, I'll be making several dollars LESS an hour (could be up to $7 less/hr, actually) and the cost of living up here is obviously wayyyyy less than it is in SD.

I am a single gal with zero kids. I own my own house here so I'll be renting that out. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone here has worked for UCSD and if they like it and if there are any other things I should take into consideration before I make my decision. I live 500 miles away so I don't know anyone who works there. I didn't get into nursing for the money, that's for sure. But once you get used to a certain level of income it's hard to go back the other direction.

Thanks.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

That's a tough call. I moved from so cal to nor cal because of the pay difference. But I have a family to support. If you have low bills and can afford the cut and are ok with apartment living (houses are really pricey down there, even for rent). The weather is awesome and there is lots of outdoor activities. Hard to beat the pension at the UC systems, just be aware they take 10% of your income pre tax for the pension and they also take 50 to 100$ a month for parking.

Good luck in your decision.