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Post by Jetworks on May 14, 2022 9:58:50 GMT -5
So, as most (all?) of you know, I am a RN in the ER, and was previously a CO. I love what I do, even though I have been increasingly frustrated lately due to the lack of staff and the vaccine mandates. I am responsible for saving lives on a daily basis, sometimes being the sole reason why someone has a positive outcome. I am also responsible for precepting new RNs on how to be good ER RNs, which I also enjoy to a great deal.
Now, I've been given an opportunity. I am under consideration to be the Trauma Director for the entire hospital, a Level 1 Trauma center (albeit a small community hospital). To have started in the hospital only 10 years ago as a nursing assistant and now be in this position is in itself a major accomplishment, I realize that. I am also not necessarily "qualified" on paper for this (letters after my name, AKA schooling credentials), so it's doubly flattering (impressive?) that I am being considered. And it's additionally exciting as I would be stepping into this role as we get ready to open a brand new, state of the art, Emergency Department and OR suite. There is also the potential that we may be taken over during that time by a large hospital system. That could be a plus or a minus for this position as I could see even more opportunities, or I could potentially be replaced.
The position comes with a bump in pay (somewhere in the neighborhood of $30k more), a staff of about 10 people, and weekends and holidays off. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Well, obviously by me making this post, it isn't for me. I've grown accustomed to having days off during the week, and not having weekends or holidays does stink, but I manage. However, that does take away more opportunities to ride, as well as to get projects at home done. The job is very data/report/administratively driven, and would pretty much completely take me out of the clinical part of nursing (I'd still respond to traumas when available). It is also a salaried position, so no OT, no union protection, and 1 week less of vacation.
So at its core, I'm looking at an increase in pay, a potentially better career path, and a more traditional lifestyle, with less(?) stress, versus the status quo of solid pay, union protection, more vacation and time off, and doing the clinical stuff I love.
What says teh Hampur™?
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Post by shakin on May 14, 2022 10:29:39 GMT -5
do you really want my career advice?
granted i retired at 55 from a non-civil-service career
but...
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Post by RobR on May 14, 2022 10:53:53 GMT -5
Sounds like you've already made your decision.
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Post by Jetworks on May 14, 2022 11:09:10 GMT -5
Sounds like you've already made your decision. I likely have, but clearly there's an illogical (emotional) bias in that decision, no? There's just as much an emotional attraction to the new position; I'll be walking the hallways in a position of increased perceived prestige. This is a highly unpredicted career path for me; the people who will be in these meetings (my meetings) are some of the same people who refused to hire me when I became a RN as I didn't have higher degree. So that's a verrrrrry appealing draw as well. Wifne is firmly in the camp of me doing what I love, save for a blow me out of the water money offer. I don't see the latter happening, but the increase in pay is nothing to sneeze at. I'm so conflicted. |
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Post by Raoul Duke on May 14, 2022 11:55:00 GMT -5
Would turning down the offer have a negative impact on your current status?
Unless you're in real need of the extra cash I say do what makes you the happiest. Just the fact that today you say you love what you do is fantastic and quite frankly rare.
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Post by Jets Things on May 14, 2022 11:58:24 GMT -5
You don't want career advice from me. 20+ years in sales and I want to get the fuck out.
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Post by Raoul Duke on May 14, 2022 11:59:56 GMT -5
And regardless of what you choose, congrats on the offer. Pretty impressive achievement CO to RN now this.
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Post by tbp on May 14, 2022 12:07:44 GMT -5
I would advise you to not give up the extra week of vacation. Tell them that this is not negotiable. Trust me, they will let you keep it. If they want you, bad enough, they will give you a lot to get you. As for salary, ask where what they are offering you places you in the job salary range, I would ask for more. Lastly, there is no better time to make your requirements for assuming that position rather than what they are putting on the table as a starter. You have leverage, use it. The position sounds like a major load of responsibility and a shitload of inter-personal skills, which come with a lot of headaches (imagine having shakin as one of your employees!  ). Good luck - be aggressive and assertive. |
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Post by Jetworks on May 14, 2022 12:17:58 GMT -5
Would turning down the offer have a negative impact on your current status? Unless you're in real need of the extra cash I say do what makes you the happiest. Just the fact that today you say you love what you do is fantastic and quite frankly rare. No, my current position will not be affected. If anything, there's also the chance I can leverage something with my turning down this offer. This is kind of my mindset right now to be honest. I would advise you to not give up the extra week of vacation. Tell them that this is not negotiable. Trust me, they will let you keep it. If they want you, bad enough, they will give you a lot to get you. As for salary, ask where what they are offering you places you in the job salary range, I would ask for more. Lastly, there is no better time to make your requirements for assuming that position rather than what they are putting on the table as a starter. You have leverage, use it. The position sounds like a major load of responsibility and a shitload of inter-personal skills, which come with a lot of headaches (imagine having shakin as one of your employees!  ). Good luck - be aggressive and assertive. I figured that would be my tack with the vacation. I realize that there is some leverage on my part as I am well-respected by the trauma team, and I am an in-house candidate. That said, I don't have ABCDEFGXYZ at the end of my name, so there are limits to my leverage. The IPC skills I have in spades thanks to DoC and now from the ER. Frankly, it's also probably a large reason as to why I am being considered. I've pushed (gently) on a couple of things, I'll have to see how hard I can push back on the next interview I guess. Thanks so far guys!!! |
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Post by Big L on May 14, 2022 14:47:28 GMT -5
Just a couple thoughts-
The bump in pay - could you use the extra cash or are you comfortable now? I left my previous employer 7 years ago, and got a little bump in pay but my yearly bonus is often 40% or more of my salary (depends on how good of a year we had), and in 7 years, I’ve made almost 3x extra than my yearly salary at my previous job. The extra money is nice, and has allowed my family and I to do some nice things with fuck you money. In summary lol if 30k is a big bump, might be something to consider. But if 30k is is only like a 3% bump, then might not be worth it. Bump in pay may also allow you to retire sooner.
I second the do NOT drop a week vacation. Like tbp said, they’ll probably agree to give you your week back no issues.
Is the new position ‘safer’ than what you do now? Personal safety and health-wise? Less chance of you getting sick, cut, stuck, whatever? Less chance of bringing any germs back home to your family?
That’s all for now, good luck!
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Post by Jetworks on May 14, 2022 14:56:46 GMT -5
Just a couple thoughts- The bump in pay - could you use the extra cash or are you comfortable now? I left my previous employer 7 years ago, and got a little bump in pay but my yearly bonus is often 40% or more of my salary (depends on how good of a year we had), and in 7 years, I’ve made almost 3x extra than my yearly salary at my previous job. The extra money is nice, and has allowed my family and I to do some nice things with fuck you money. In summary lol if 30k is a big bump, might be something to consider. But if 30k is is only like a 3% bump, then might not be worth it. Bump in pay may also allow you to retire sooner. I second the do NOT drop a week vacation. Like tbp said, they’ll probably agree to give you your week back no issues. Is the new position ‘safer’ than what you do now? Personal safety and health-wise? Less chance of you getting sick, cut, stuck, whatever? Less chance of bringing any germs back home to your family? That’s all for now, good luck! It's about a 25% bump, so significant. I will certainly negotiate the extra week. I've also come up with a potential strategy that will benefit them as well as me as far as the clinical aspect and the hours structure. Yes, the new position is mostly administrative. But I didn't get into this gig for safety; I love the ER, it's in my bones at this point, and it's the main reason why I'm so hung up on the clinical stuff. I love it, and I'm really good at it. First time in my adult life I've ever been able to say such a thing.  |
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Post by Big L on May 14, 2022 14:58:51 GMT -5
PS I love what I do, and I think that’s very important. Do you think you’d like your potential new job? Or would going to work be a chore?
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Post by Jetworks on May 14, 2022 15:06:41 GMT -5
PS I love what I do, and I think that’s very important. Do you think you’d like your potential new job? Or would going to work be a chore? Well now that's going back to a very basic argument. I'm the same as you with my feelings for my current job. But it's way more complicated than that at this point. I wish that wasn't the case, but it is. If it just comes down to my happiness, then I will end up staying in my current role as a staff RN. But $30k helps with a lot of other things which bring me happiness as well, as does the potential to make a different kind of difference, not to mention career choices. No easy answer, bud |
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Post by shakin on May 14, 2022 17:26:18 GMT -5
imagine having shakin as one of your employees! tell that to the people that hired me then rehired me 2 more times after i walked away over the course of 9 years i was great at what i did. anway have fun at work on monday lol |
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Post by shakin on May 14, 2022 17:38:00 GMT -5
PS I love what I do, and I think that’s very important. Do you think you’d like your potential new job? Or would going to work be a chore? Well now that's going back to a very basic argument. I'm the same as you with my feelings for my current job. But it's way more complicated than that at this point. I wish that wasn't the case, but it is. If it just comes down to my happiness, then I will end up staying in my current role as a staff RN. But $30k helps with a lot of other things which bring me happiness as well, as does the potential to make a different kind of difference, not to mention career choices. No easy answer, bud a few things to consider: net net does it put you into another tax bracket? run the numbers and see what the actual net gain in your pocket will be. i'm assuming your OT is at least time and a half... keep in mind that being on the clock vs. being salaried, you will likely end up taking a lot of the job (and work) home with you (i know i did), and put in a hell of a lot more than a 40 hour week. can you handle managing people that may not have the same work ethic as you? this issue is getting worse and worse with each new generation in the workforce. they are entitled and difficult to manage will you be HAPPY in the new role? if you are truly happy in your present role you really can't put a price on that what was your desired career path when you went into this field? does this align with it? do the other people in similar roles/responsibilities seem happy in their jobs? what are the complaints you may hear from them? how much additional stress will this bring into your life? is it worth a 30k bump minus taxes? that's all i got for now |
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