What should I do? Help

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Hi fellow Nurses,

Let me start off with a little info. I graduated in 2011 from an RN associates program. Not too long after school I landed a job as a Staff Nurse at a hospital in their psychiatric unit, the pay is great but Psych is not what I really wanted. I wanted the ER or the ICU but I figured I would get my foot in the door, being a new grad and all. I will be done with my BSN at the end of the year and in August I am eligible to transfer to another department at my current facility. I work 13 12.5 hr shifts per month and my hospital is union so there are a lot of perks. I get a differential for my BSN, Tuition reimbursement is higher and Medical benefits are free.

I live an hour from my current job and do have commuting expenses. and sometimes I hate to commute because it takes me about an hour to get to work with no traffic. I rarely run into traffic because of my shift so that is not a real issue. Including gas and toll my commuting expenses are about 5,950 per year. Even with this deduction my salary is still well over 73000 per year. I occasionally float to the psych ER where I am now. I have never worked in the Medical ER but I have always wanted to work in the ER.

Here is my dilemma I was recently offered a position with a facility that is closer to home, in their ER. I have been applying to this healthcare system since before I graduated Nursing school. The job is about 35 mins away from my house no toll expenses but gas expenses of course. The facility is union but I am not getting the same perks and benefits that my current union gives me. The other issue I have right now is the pay, the pay-cut before I deduct commuting expenses at my current job is 10,000 per year. After I deduct the commuting expenses at my current job the pay cut is only about 3,000 per year. I feel that my experience in the ER is worth the pay cut. Sometime I feel like I am rushing things and that i could just wait and try to get into the ER at my current facility.

Should I just stay where I am and try to get into that ER or should I take this job that is a little closer to home. I thought about becoming Per Diem at my current facility so that I don't completely break ties with them. What do you guys think?

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Go straight to the ED. You have had a taste of craziness. Now go get a taste of craziness AND clinical experience, it is invaluable. Good luck

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Thank you for the response, I think I should it is invaluable I think the experience in the ER is worth more than the money I don;t know why I am second guessing this decision.

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I think you need to tell us where in the heck you're working making that pay and those benefits as a new grad! I've been ER for 7 years but I don't make anywhere near you and I don't get free medical! I'd kill for those benefits!! I'd be as torn as you are, to the point I would consider moving closer to that facility. Just having my medical benefits paid would put $250 per month back in my pocket.But if that is not an option, I would consider taking a position closer to home. Having that extra time not sitting in traffic is a big perk.

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Specializes in Med Surge, Psych.

lol @ rndiver82 I wanna know too. Are they hiring?

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lol Rndiver82 it is a hospital in NY, I would move closer but my eldest just started high school and we love the school district. Maybe after I get my experience in I can make that transition to move closer to new york and go back to a NY hospital. But that won't be for another four years. How do you like the ER I noticed you have been there for a while?

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