Benefits over passion?

[KJCnango]

I just graduated nursing school and am currently exploring my options. I have 3 children to support and am older, so I recognize the importance of those benefits that so many take for granted (pension, 401k, health insurance, etc.)

I interviewed for a position with the local VA Hospital and was given a verbal offer by the manager that upon passing the NCLEX and providing them with my license number, they would be making me an offer on their med surg floor. The benefits of working at the VA are amazing.

The problem is that I've wanted to be an OR nurse since the beginning of nursing school. I'd been set on applying to an OR Academy the last 2 years. Even since giving my verbal commitment to working at the VA, I have thought every day at least once about the OR.

I feel like I'd be stupid to give up the long-term benefits of the VA for the lackluster ones of a private hospital. Is it something that I can learn to love when I see the benefits, or will I always feel like I should have gone the OR route?

Did you take a job that wasn't your passion and later regret it?

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

I'm curious- as you're not yet a practicing nurse, what makes you so passionate about OR?

[monkeyshines, ASN]

So I'm a little bit different, but still relevant I think. I'm a federal employee, working my way toward nursing school. The benefits really are fantastic, but everything else about the job is just no good for me. I've been here ten years and I know that I can't take much more of it. I feel crazy sometimes for giving up my federal benefits, but job satisfaction is important to me as well.

I've thought about trying to get a job at the VA once I'm a fully fledged nurse, but I know that it is often a difficult place to work, and none of my passions (which I know might change) are there. If I were in your shoes, I might consider working there for a year or two. Once you get into the Thrift Savings Plan for your retirement savings, you get to keep it for life. From what I understand, any retirement savings you might have at another workplace can roll into your TSP once you leave that work place. I think that is an amazing resource to have. But if you have the option to do something else, for good but not as great benefits, that isn't the end of the world either. A lot of people are still at my workplace even though they are unhappy, simply for the benefits, and they are miserable. Job satisfaction really is important, so you don't want to give that up entirely!

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Be practical and be smart. VA. You cannot beat their benefits.

[Oldmahubbard]

Passion comes and goes. You think you have a passion for the OR, but you have no way of knowing if it would last.

I would take the job with the best overall compensation, including benefits.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I am one that goes for security. Is it possible to work for the VA and later transfer to an OR spot in the VA system?

EXACTLY. Passion is overrated, KJCnago. I know your heart is set on one thing...but hear me out:

OR nurses are phenomenal. They only learn OR nursing though, and while their assessment skills are above average and they are attuned to minute shifts in the patient's vitals (and they can transition very easily into PACU)...that's only one kind of nursing.

It's hard for a new nurse to hear this but your "passion" at this point should be getting training to become a competent nurse with a safe practice. Looking back - if I had been offered (and was smart enough to take) a med-surg opportunity...I might still be in the hospital setting.

Take the GOOD JOB. You will be trained well there - Mr. Ruby Jane went from the VA's ER to cardiac cath to management in a decade. You may not need super-awesome health insurance right this minute but it's there. The VA will pay for continuing education! Take the med-surg gig, get good at nursing, join a few committees and the world will be your oyster.

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

So I'm a little bit different, but still relevant I think. I'm a federal employee, working my way toward nursing school. The benefits really are fantastic, but everything else about the job is just no good for me. I've been here ten years and I know that I can't take much more of it. I feel crazy sometimes for giving up my federal benefits, but job satisfaction is important to me as well.

I've thought about trying to get a job at the VA once I'm a fully fledged nurse, but I know that it is often a difficult place to work, and none of my passions (which I know might change) are there. If I were in your shoes, I might consider working there for a year or two. Once you get into the Thrift Savings Plan for your retirement savings, you get to keep it for life. From what I understand, any retirement savings you might have at another workplace can roll into your TSP once you leave that work place. I think that is an amazing resource to have. But if you have the option to do something else, for good but not as great benefits, that isn't the end of the world either. A lot of people are still at my workplace even though they are unhappy, simply for the benefits, and they are miserable. Job satisfaction really is important, so you don't want to give that up entirely!

I am in the completely same position!! I have a state job and the benefits are AMAZING but I am bored to death most days I am here. That's one of the reasons I decided to go back to school and pursue nursing. I am super sad about losing these benefits once I get a nursing job, but I am more excited to be doing something that interests and excites me. That being said OP, if the VA is available to do nursing, it might be worth looking into while you get your feet wet. You can always change positions and work while going to get the OR certification/schooling. Good luck!

[Daisy Joyce]

There was a thread on here a couple months ago about retirement and people not being prepared.

As much as TV and novels tell us to "follow our heart", the bills have to be paid.

Also, tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. We might become disabled or our kids get sick, and all the pretty dreams in the world aren't going to help you then.

If they're offering you a handsome benefits package, take it!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

For all things holy take the VA job! Most new grads find out they don't end up loving the specialty they thought they would. Take the job that is going to offer you the best deal in the end. As another poster said, there are no guarantees in life. Those extra 3 weeks of vacation will make a difference. You said you're older so that pension could be a literal lifesaver for you. You might not love med surge, but you don't have to do that forever. I wish you luck and want you to know that many of us are happy for your opportunity and super jealous of it. Congrats!

[HalfBoiled, BSN, RN]

I would get the benefits over anything especially since you have a family to help support.

Consider transferring to OR during your "burn out" years prior to retiring or when you're financially "balanced."

[Eris Discordia BSN, RN]

I do think the additional time off will make it worth it for me. I already gave up a lot of time with them in the last 2 years while going to school. They're still young and I think the additional 3 weeks might make me more content in the position.

Oh, absolutely, YES! Benefits matter a whole bunch when it comes to job satisfaction. My benefits are crappy and even though I enjoy my job, it takes a lot out of that satisfaction when the benefits are poor. I'm in the thick of middle age and all those positives you listed with the VA are crucial to job satisfaction. Plus, job stability matters so much in the job satisfaction equation.

Also, nursing school just gives you a tiny taste of nursing. All first jobs are challenging in their own right, so even if you find yourself unhappy in med-surg, if you get some time in, a transfer can be just a click away. It's very hard to get into the VA, so I would jump at that option. But that's probably my money strapped middle-aged-self sensibility talking.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm curious- as you're not yet a practicing nurse, what makes you so passionate about OR?

Well, that could be asked of any freshly licensed new grad freshly who swears their passion is ED, L&D, ICU, peds, etc....

[K.Alva, BSN, RN]

I would say get your foot in the door. Once you are internal you can transfer into any openings after a probationary period. Also, if you wanted to go straight into the OR just know you still get god benefits just not VA benefits. If it were me I'd go to the OR bc thats your passion and thats what you are going to be doing day in and day out. What good are VA benefits when your thinking about quitting everyday? Med surg is also not something that can really "grow" on you... most people stay in med surg for a limited amount of time.