Published Jun 21, 2016
8 members have participated
UNHRN
12 Posts
Help! I'm trying to decide which job to take.
Hospital A: $24.50/hr in MA with ~25% of that gone to income tax, but lots to do in the area
Hospital B: $27.70/hr in NH with no income tax, but far from home & middle of nowhere
1) Pediatrics job at hospital A- Dream field, hospital A has an association with my dream job in which I could be hired at after only 6mo-1year of working there.
2) Neuroscience job at hospital B- great nursing staff all young relatively new nurses, they hang out in one big group after work in the boring area & make the best of it, but the neuro patients are adult population and mostly non-verbal.
3) PACU job at hospital B- opportunity to work in pedi PACU a few shifts per schedule, fun fast paced job, max of 2:1 patient nurse ratio, previous pacu experience as an aid. However, most nurses there are older and do not hang out outside of work.
So....
Do I take the dream job, in a lively area, but less pay
Do I take the 'boring job', with great pay & great co-workers
Do I take the interesting job, with great pay but no social life
NICU Guy, BSN, RN
4,161 Posts
Mass. income tax is 5.1%, not 25%. Although, NH may not have state income tax, you still have federal income tax.
I guess it comes down to job I love for less money or job that's ok for more money. NH job pays more, has no income tax (state), & the cost of living is less there. But the MA job is in pediatrics. Ugh I'm torn.
WanderingWilder, ASN
386 Posts
Erase
CalArmy
95 Posts
You are young it sounds like?? I would think a bigger city will be better for you in both job opportunities and things to do. Just my two cents í ½í¸•
mrphil79
148 Posts
How are you getting a job in which you will have no income tax?
I think you're either mistaken or you misspoke, as you're going to be paying federal income tax either way.
Anyway - gotta go with the job you will be happiest in. How many people leave miserable careers to be a nurse? I did. I sure as heck wont end up in a nursing job I hate after leaving a successful career I hated, going through nursing school, and passing the NCLEX. Just doesn't make sense.
Xlorgguss
203 Posts
Ask yourself why you went to nursing school? Do you think that you could tell your past self that you were going to settle for anything else than your dream job if the opportunity came up? Follow your passions. So many people settle and end up unhappy. Your pay will likely increase after a bit plus there is always incentives like nights, weekends, and over time. If was offered a job in my specialty choice, it wouldn't even be a question.
NeoNurse2Be
215 Posts
You should always do what you're passionate about regardless of the pay. Money don't buy happiness as they say. If you take the higher paying job you'll be miserable.
CalArmy: Yes I'm young. 21 and a new graduate nurse getting her first job. mrphil79: MA has both state and federal income tax in addition to SSN & medicare, but NH does not have state income tax. Just Federal, SSN, & Medcare. Plus NH does not have sales tax and the cost of living up there vs near Boston would be a lot less.....but yes I'm leaning towards the lower income job in pediatrics with a worse commute & higher cost of living. Even though the NH job pays more, costs less to live & has a simple commute. xlorgguss: I went to nursing school because I wanted to help people. Along the way I learned my niche is in working with children. If I looked back on my 17 year old self going into college and told her: you get your dream job, but will barley get by, or you can earn lots of money in a fine job. I think I'd be in the same boat. Gravitated towards the dream job, but tempted by the money in the ok job. NeoNurse2be: money may not buy happiness, but it would make my student loan collectors shut up haha. The dream job I'd have a little under $300 at the end of the month after rent, bills, groceries, gas, & loan payments. The other job would be an extra $38 a shift & $460/mo plus more in my pocket after a lower cost of living. I'm gravitating towards my dream job but am tempted by the money/easier living.