Bikeworks
Well-Known Member
I realize that this is almost as up there as asking for medical advice on the internet, but I really am conflicted and am trying to get as many unbiased views on this as possible, so here it goes:
So, as some (most?) 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 immensely.
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. Going a step further, I'd be holding meetings with some of the same people who refused to hire me when I first became an RN due to my lack of an advance degree. Not being petty (maybe a little, fine), but it's an enormous sign of validation for me and my commitment to my profession. 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 (only people like you will understand that importance), 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 (different?) stress, versus the status quo of solid pay, union protection, more vacation and time off, and doing the clinical stuff I love.
So, as some (most?) 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 immensely.
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. Going a step further, I'd be holding meetings with some of the same people who refused to hire me when I first became an RN due to my lack of an advance degree. Not being petty (maybe a little, fine), but it's an enormous sign of validation for me and my commitment to my profession. 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 (only people like you will understand that importance), 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 (different?) stress, versus the status quo of solid pay, union protection, more vacation and time off, and doing the clinical stuff I love.