Would you take a pay cut?

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · May 23, 2011

It would be about 7 thousand dollars to switch from nights to days.....i probably would do it though for the better hours if it weren't for the fact that it would create childcare issues.

FLArn · May 23, 2011

Only took a pay cut one time. Took a 50 cent/hour pay cut when I went from nursing home to hospice. Worth it? 30 patients at nursing home vs 5 at hospice unit.... uh, yeah!

Seriously, the reduction in stress was worth every penny and more! Do whatever you need to take care of you!

madwife2002, BSN, RN · May 23, 2011

I moved from Arizona to Ohio and I took a $8 an hour paycut

nicu4me · May 23, 2011

it would be between 7 to 10,000/yr. plus limited overtime available to fill in when one needs a new fridge (haha). but the hours are great. Really when it was broken down like that I think of all the things that that $ could be going towards. perhaps if it was saved it would have more value. Is it greed that keeps us in a position like this or what? I'm ok but would like the change. Is that worth it to not work every other weekend? I think about those weekends that I have to work and on the weekends when I am off and I go somewhere retail or service related, those people are making waaay less to work weekends. That would really tick me off. I guess there will always be time to change careers areas. But once you head down the $ trail, it's hard to break. We are not in major debt but have children, they are only going to cost more! One area is considered less stressful than the other. Maybe just a good vacation? Advice to someone? Maybe never get used to a shift differential? because that will always hold you back.

noahsmama · May 23, 2011

I sort of took a pay cut when I went from evenings to days, and then again when I went from an inpatient hospital job to a community nursing job that is M-F 8:30am-5pm. The reason I say "sort of" is that both times my "pay cut" was more than compensated for by decreased child care costs, so both times I really came out ahead.

Personally, I would definitely take a pay cut if I could afford to do so, for less stress, better hours, or work that is more interesting to me.

Good luck with your decision!

Chin up · May 23, 2011

I once took a 4 dollar an hour pay cut. Changed from floor nursing to a specialty. Once I got a years experience, my pay went up and up. I now make a lot more money, than if I had stayed on the floor. It was so worth it. Having said that, if you are miserable, money should not be an issue. You health is priceless. Go with your passion, it usually is worth it in the long run. Peace!

BigButtNurse · May 23, 2011

If the area where you are going is really where you want to be, I'd go for it despite the pay cut. Yes it is a good feeling to have the "extra" money you need for life's emergencies, but I look at it like this: to be happy & not always have to think about whether or not you'll get another chance to go into your desired specialty is priceless. If all else fails, take the pay cut & if it the thought of the pay cut "eats away at you", you may be able to beg for your old job back.....:) Good luck!

mustlovepoodles, RN · May 23, 2011

I took a significant pay cut when I went from working nights in the NICU to days in telephone nursing. Then i took another cut when I went to school nursing. I can only work about 18 hrs/week due to my health. So at this point, I'm hardly making anything. But i love what i'm doing and i know my work is important to the students and families i serve. I'm not going to get rich but I am very satisfied, so I'm willing to make cuts in other places.

happyheatherp · May 23, 2011

I took about a $25,000/yr. pay cut to go from being in a clinical setting to an educational setting, but to me, it is worth it to be doing something you love. Money won't always bring you happiness.

Matthew_RN · May 23, 2011

I am in the middle of a career change and looking at a $25-30K pay cut to return to the bedside. I have worked in the corp sector for the past few years in a leadership role. Now I am wanting to go to NP school and I need to return to the bedside to up my skills set.

R*Star*RN, BSN, RN · May 24, 2011

I just switched from night shift at a hospital to day shift in home health. So I took about $3 paycut to my base hourly rate and then about $8 worth of night/weekend diff since I worked baylor.

So far I am really happy about the decision. Night shift was a nightmare for me, and it's a nice change to get out of the hospital and into the community.