Would you take a $5 paycut for Dream job

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2016

For me, since I'm not going into nursing for the money (granted money is a factor in terms of paying bills, advancing one's education, etc.) I would go for the dream job path #2. However, on the same token IF you have many years of employment before you and can work in job #1 for a year or 2 and transition... that would give #1 a go as well.

Have you done a total analysis on both jobs in terms of travel time, expenses involved (if applicable), benefits (outside of $$$)?

loving2024, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2016

For me, since I'm not going into nursing for the money (granted money is a factor in terms of paying bills, advancing one's education, etc.) I would go for the dream job path #2. However, on the same token IF you have many years of employment before you and can work in job #1 for a year or 2 and transition... that would give #1 a go as well.
Have you done a total analysis on both jobs in terms of travel time, expenses involved (if applicable), benefits (outside of $$$)?

Job 1 benefits are better than Job 1 and the travel time are the same.

Job 2 is not magnet an its not a teaching hospital like JOB 1.

I'm thinking of holding on to both jobs because Job 2 said I can work part time if I want too

Zyprexa_Ho · Aug 4, 2016

*per hour (?)

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Aug 4, 2016

Doubtful that you would be able to work part time until you have achieved an acceptable competency level .... and this could be a steep learning curve in SICU.

jena5111, ASN, RN · Aug 5, 2016

â€‹"So should I take job 2 because of my love for trauma patients and my desire to be a CRNA or take job 1 to develop my skills and then transition to MICU after 2 years."

Until you are a working RN, I can guarantee that you'll have no idea whether or not you LOVE any type of patient...or job, for that matter. Only working in that realm as a nurse (not a student) can give you true insight about a specific patient population.

In the meantime, take the job that makes the most sense for you NOW. Neither one would be detrimental to your future.

Bedside_Life RN · Aug 5, 2016

You need to ask to shadow in both positions to see how the units are run and if one is a better fit than the other. Maybe take the time to walk the unit if open to see how it runs on a daily basis. Pay attention to behaviors and attitudes of staff, clutter, organization, and communication.

With that being said, taking your dream job would be ideal if you can financially support the decision. However, if that means that you will be falling into a position where new grads are teaching new grads or an overworked understaffed unit with high turn over exists then you may be putting yourself and your license at risk. DO NOT do this.

Take your time, you have so many options when you become a nurse. If you choose the wrong unit with bad habits then losing your license will strip all of that from you.

Also, Hospitals that are magnet receive that recognition for a reason. This does not mean that you will not meet obstacles anywhere your career takes you. You will be the nurse you are going to be no matter what. Just as folks will be the people they are no matter what.

Good Luck and I hope to welcome you into my profession when you pass boards!

abouttimeRN · Aug 5, 2016

Since you THINK you know what you want but you're a new grad and may not actually have a grasp on what you want I would take money and experience...SICU will be there especially with a solid background. Don't mean to be offensive but I also thought SICU was my calling and I just gave my notice...!

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2016

Hmmmm... It's your decision to make but that $5 is close to 10k a year if it matters to you at all.

Mhsrnbsn · Aug 5, 2016

Both jobs will be impressive on a resume. But if I may shed some light on here... Stranger to stranger I do not know you or your skill levels, so I will assume you have 0 medical experience... I work with orienting a lot of new grads... And I still remember my first RN job...

Go go for the tele. SICU is an awesome field if you truly believe it is your calling, but... That is not a unit that wins every battle, it's a high stress, high skill, higher level of thinking area. Nurses in critical care have a large amount of autonomy and honestly 12 weeks is not enough orientation for a new grad in critical care. You won't have the assessment level needed to safely manage your patients solo, even after 12 weeks.

I would hate for you to lose a patient because of a subtle yet critical change that you missed because you just plain didn't even know what to expect. And even on a meds surg floor I have seen the pain and self blame losing or even almost losing a patient brings new grads.

I don't want you having that hurt, and you will especially in critical care where odds are already against you. I'm proud you want to be a CRNA its a great field to get into but SICU will still be around in a year or even two from now. You gotta crawl before you can walk. And if it helps you to not feel like you are being doubted by strangers look up the failure to rescue rates in new grad nurses. It's very scary to think about.

esrun77 · Aug 6, 2016

It seems a little sketch that a SICU would take such a lack of experience. I would say take the experience at the magnet and teaching hospital! Then you can have the experience on your resume to get a trauma job that pays well and is probably a safer bet :)

loving2024, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2016

I work at both hospital and units as a Nurse extern. the pay for the stepdown is 35 while SICU is 29.50. The pay difference per year including differential is like around $16,000. I accepted both job offers and I think I have to pick stepdown over SICU, So I have like 6 months to decide if my dream job is worth more than $16000 yearly.

Thank you all for commenting, I'm still thinking it through

This is tough to decide!!!