So I have been on Oncology RN for 2 1/2 years, working nights, and have never loved my job. The patients, yes, but not bedside nursing. I have recently had an interview for a school nurse position and was asked back for a 2nd interview and site visit. Yeah! But here's the problem: it will be around $14k less each year with NO room for advancement in pay. There is a salary cap: new nurse makes the same as a 30 year vet, BSN same as a PhD, etc...
I have 2 school aged kids and desperately want to get away from working nights, weekends, and holidays. Is the pay cut REALLY worth it for the better schedule? I know I can supplement with summer work, occasional weekends at the hospital. I could also hold out and hope for a clinic opening with good hours, or a school RN job in a different county with a better pay scale. I would love some feedback, words of wisdom, advice from others who have been there. Just so much to think about!!
It really depends on what you are looking for. If its going to work for the better to take the pay cut and spend more time with your family, it will be an adjustment but you will be much happier. I have not started a family yet but in honesty from others that I know, they would take the opportunity, but if money is the issue perhaps you could wait. Whatever works and feels right go with it. As others have mentioned checkout all the changes if you switch ( healthcare benefits, hours, commute, family schedule, holidays). If you can do it go for it but if not you can hold on. Do what is going to work for you and your family. If you want advancement, then it may be better to wait for another opportunity somewhere else.
I'm probably a lot older, and I'm obviously only speaking for myself, but although we all like making more money, to me doing a more rewarding job, or job/career satisfaction, whatever you want to call it, trumps the money. Well, most of the time, anyway. :^) I'd rather be doing a job I at least kind of like than one I hate that pays quite a bit more.
Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Medical Bill Review.
Have you considered working in the Health Insurance or "business" side of medicine? I was surprised at how much nurses are utilized in business management,just a thought. Great hours, no nights,weekends or holidays so you can be there for your family.
Tough call. Only you can decide what is more important to you, the wages at your current job or the hours as a school nurse. Personally I couldn't make the decision to make that much less money but if you can afford to take that much of a cut in pay and the school nurse position appeals to you it may be worth it to you.
Before making a decision I would suggest really going over your budget to see if you you can afford to have that much less money coming in and where you can cut corners on expenses. You can of course pick up hours at a second job to supplement your income, but then you need to decide if working more to make up the difference is an option you are willing to deal with.
I quit a hospital job to work as a school nurse. I love having the same schedule as my kids (they all are at the same school now (well, except the one in college). I love being able to go to all concerts and activities, instead of trading shifts or having to come in early so someone else could stay late for me when I worked 12s. I love the autonomy of the school nurse position, although it was quite an adjustment not having doctor/nurse colleagues (I worked in the ER) to bounce ideas off of. Cons- no one in the school understands what the school nurse truly does every day. You are most often the only health care professional in the building. Our healthcare policies are very vague, which is intentional, I found out. I had a few moments my first year when we (the nurses in my school district) were meeting the the assistant superintendent and trying to institute/amend some policies.
I took a big pay cut to work here, but it is worth it. I work a summer camp and more than make up the pay cut I took when I started here. I had grand plans to work per diem at my old job, but I did not enjoy working 6/7 days a week, or leaving my school job and immediately going to work a princess shift in the ER until 7 pm. Per diem at a hospital job might work for some, but I disliked it. I need my days off and down time.
This is a great place to come vent, share happy/sad/funny stories, get questions answered etc. I call this place my virtual nurse's station. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Women's Health, Education.
You have to weigh the pros and cons. Cost is so much more than $$$$. Your mental and physical health can't be bought. The better you feel at work the more quality the time is when you're with loved ones. And you don't have to do it forever, one can go back and forth. I was burnt out with inpatient pediatrics and went to a school nurse position and it was fun while it lasted. Then after 2 years someone I met on the job told me I was too young for something so quiet, so she connected be with an outpatient clinic job. That had a faster pace than school nursing but less stress than bedside. My pattern is to change it up every few years, not by intent per se, new opportunities present themselves and I build on past experiences. Knowing my own strengths and weaknesses, I carefully walk the line between having a happy personal life and working to my potential. I will never be an 80 hour work week executive no matter the pay.
I am so torn about this too! An interview I just had for an elementary school nurse position went very well, & I should know later this week if I will be recommended for it!! I don't know if I can accept it if I am offered it though When they showed me the salary scale at the interview it didn't look terrible, at first ($12,000 pay cut from what I make now)...they then said that what was listed was for 230 days, not the 180 I'd be working. When I got to my car and figured out what I would make annually, it was a $20,000 pay cut. And if I took the pay cut, plus factoring in thousands/year for daycare for the baby, I just don't know that we could make ends meet-it would basically be half of what I bring home now with the daycare added in. And I hate it sooo much because I want to work with kids, and not be in a hospital setting anymore. I figured up that it is $9.25/hr less than I make now, or $74 a day difference for 8 hours of work. It's $1 more than I made as a new grad. I know I'd work less days/year, and have an awesome schedule when the baby starts school, but if I have to work extra on my off days to make up just some of the difference, is the schedule even a factor/positive anymore? Unfortunately I think I'm going to hold out for a Monday-Friday 7A-3P position on my floor opening soon instead of the only weekends I work now...as much as I'm ready for something new and wanted to go into school nursing
Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.
I took a huge pay cut but yes , it was worth it. We do get raises every year so after 11 years, the pay is better. The time off with my son, the PTO and the health insurance are great!
Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
I am still on the fence about whether my switch to school nursing was worth it but I'll weigh in nonetheless. The majority of the time, yes. It's worth it to me. There is a LOT less politics in school nursing, it's lovely not having to hear the words "patient satisfaction" or "HCAHPS" or "bedside reporting" on a daily basis. The hours are to die for. I get off of work at a decent time and am able to work out, go grocery shopping, tidy up the house, etc. My first summer off was delightful, having every weekend off and never having to decline an invite to something fun is so wonderful. Not missing any holidays is so great and I don't even have kids yet. I love my students and I love (most) of the parents. I'm so happy to be able to help them with health promotion.
That being said.
It was a HUGE adjustment for me when it came to the pay cut. My previous hospital job didn't pay me very well either but there was always the option for overtime if needed. This was a shock. It took me several months to re-figure my budgeting so I wasn't totally broke before my next paycheck came in. The pay, at least in my district, is insulting. Nurses are grouped as "support staff" along with classroom aides and custodians and paid accordingly. I now spend some of my weekends working a PRN job to help supplement my income. It was definitely a lot to adjust to.
You can't have it all. I was not happy in the hospital but was able to make a comfortable living. Now I am pretty happy at my job but am forced to make some adjustments due to the salary. It's all give and take. Let us know what you decide.
Specializes in Behavioral Health, Disability Case Mgmt.
Sounds like you know the answer . . . with the kids, less hours, less stress, less exposure, etc. Money is something we all need, but in context, it is a relative thing. In the long run, I would expect a great benefit for you. Doubt these are words of wisdom and there is no right answer, most importantly, take care of Tippeny .
I had a friend that left working night shift with me to a school nurse job. She loved it and it was a much better fit for her than night shift. As for the cut in pay only you can answer if less money is worth the improved work life. It's a tough one to answer, having a job you love but with pay that makes you always anxious about expenses isn't good either.
Sit down and thoroughly analyze your expenses and see if there are ways to cut back. I think this can help you can clarity with your decision.
Specializes in CVICU, SchoolRN, MICU, PCU/IMU, ED.
I'm in a similar situation. interviewed yesterday for an elementary school nurse position. There are three schools that need a nurse so I'm not sure which school I'll be going to but I was offered a position. I'm still thinking about it. Ive been in critical care for 8yrs and was in psych for 3 previous to that. I'm burned out from bedside and need a change in my professional career.
I just moved to VA so the pay is low no matter how I look at it because I'm always comparing it to what I was making. I'm currently working in a hospital and hating it but the pay is about $3 difference. The schedule for school nursing is fantastic which is a huge bonus for me since I do have a family and a husband who is about to deploy.
I don't know, I guess I'm still considering it but I'm leaning more towards doing it. I'm at a point where I want to be home with my family.
moments my first year when we (the nurses in my school district) were meeting the the assistant superintendent and trying to institute/amend some policies.
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Qing
104 Posts
It really depends on what you are looking for. If its going to work for the better to take the pay cut and spend more time with your family, it will be an adjustment but you will be much happier. I have not started a family yet but in honesty from others that I know, they would take the opportunity, but if money is the issue perhaps you could wait. Whatever works and feels right go with it. As others have mentioned checkout all the changes if you switch ( healthcare benefits, hours, commute, family schedule, holidays). If you can do it go for it but if not you can hold on. Do what is going to work for you and your family. If you want advancement, then it may be better to wait for another opportunity somewhere else.