LPN has 2 job offers; 1 for VA clinic as Health tech and 1 LPN private clinic. help

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2009

I don't know.

What are the benefits - retirement, medical, vacation - of the two different spots?

Jules A, MSN · Oct 30, 2009

How old are you? Federal benefits are incredible if you are older and focused on that type of thing. For younger folks I know that might not be as big a motivator. Kudos, either way it sounds like a good spot to be in!

cynthy · Oct 30, 2009

The VA offers to continue to pay a portion of insurance after retirement. It is not as cheap as it is at other place.. the pay is about $160 more a month and with VA I am guaranteed a step increase annually for first 3 years plus some cost of living.. but, I don't work as nurse, I am a health tech, I do phlebotomy, ekg's assist receptionist, dr's with spec. proc. I am not allowed to work in capacity as a nurse per VA rules. The other, I am working at a residency program clinic, I am a 'team leader' with one MA on my team and 5 Dr's. 1 1st year dr. 1 2nd year dr. and 1 3rd year dr. and 1 faculty dr. and 1 community health dr. they rotate shifts. I pretty much manage how the team works. and majority of work is on computer doing electronic med. rec. answering messages, phone calls, patient calls, and so on.. insurance for self is paid for but not after I retire... no guarantee for pay raise although they are great people/organization and would be fair. Mainly manage low income and uninsured patients..

cynthy · Oct 30, 2009

I am 43 yo.. and I really am ready to find a home and start building up my retirement. the private clinic doesnt allow me to join retirement until after 2 years of employment.. I became a nurse at age of 40..late bloomer..

Jules A, MSN · Oct 30, 2009

I am 43 yo.. and I really am ready to find a home and start building up my retirement. the private clinic doesnt allow me to join retirement until after 2 years of employment.. I became a nurse at age of 40..late bloomer..

Your other post sounds like you are definitely in favor of the other job but I'd really think long and hard before passing up a VA position. I would hope that getting your foot in the door would most likely lead to a LPN position. Any chance you are going to get your RN? That would give you more security no matter which you pick. I'm big on the carry over of health benefits after retirement. If it weren't for needing health benefits DH and I could retire at 50 but that is just too big of an expense if you aren't on a group plan.

CASTLEGATES · Oct 30, 2009

I'd work for the va over any private institution hands down because after your probation period, you can transfer as an lpn anywhere there's a va and not lose everything like you do with private places. 5 weeks vacation 10 holidays? add that up on paper and do a benefits comparison this, next and in 5 years. VA's pay for school which is huge!

Lacie, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2009

There are significant perks you dont get in the "civilian" settings of health care. The amount of time off per year to include holidays is generally more than most other nursing jobs. Also the retirement benefits is very good. Primary pt care in VA clinics are service connected Veterans and many retired service personell. Contrary to the previous poster that it is mainly low income and uninsured is not quite true. I am a disabled veteran with my own health insurance of which the VA bills (Cigna) for care that is not related to my service connected disabilty. I chose to treat with VA in that I can keep my care consistent with one provider rather than several. Especially right now the VA clinics are a large range of ages from WW2 vets to those returning from Iraq and Afganistan. They further offer such a wide range of care and duly encourage preventive medicine. Most of the Vets attending VA outpt clinics are quite appreciative of the care they recieve. Also if down the road you get your RN then they also have travel nursing for various VA clinics and hospitals in need. Keep in mind once your licensed and working for VA your license can be used in ANY state as long as in the VA Federal System therefore you dont need to get specifically licensed in that state if for a short time. I'm watching now for the New VA hospital (they just broke ground this past month) as I will be one of the first on the bandwagon for a job there. The local VA outpatient clinic has a very low staff turnover so those jobs are hard to come by since people tend to stay. What's nice to is my service time would be counted towards my retirement and payscale.

cynthy · Oct 30, 2009

There are significant perks you dont get in the "civilian" settings of health care. The amount of time off per year to include holidays is generally more than most other nursing jobs. Also the retirement benefits is very good. Primary pt care in VA clinics are service connected Veterans and many retired service personell. Contrary to the previous poster that it is mainly low income and uninsured is not quite true. I am a disabled veteran with my own health insurance of which the VA bills (Cigna) for care that is not related to my service connected disabilty. I chose to treat with VA in that I can keep my care consistent with one provider rather than several. Especially right now the VA clinics are a large range of ages from WW2 vets to those returning from Iraq and Afganistan. They further offer such a wide range of care and duly encourage preventive medicine. Most of the Vets attending VA outpt clinics are quite appreciative of the care they recieve. Also if down the road you get your RN then they also have travel nursing for various VA clinics and hospitals in need. Keep in mind once your licensed and working for VA your license can be used in ANY state as long as in the VA Federal System therefore you dont need to get specifically licensed in that state if for a short time. I'm watching now for the New VA hospital (they just broke ground this past month) as I will be one of the first on the bandwagon for a job there. The local VA outpatient clinic has a very low staff turnover so those jobs are hard to come by since people tend to stay. What's nice to is my service time would be counted towards my retirement and payscale.

Thanks so much for the great advice... I don't mind serving the low income and uninsured population. I consider it a blessing to be able to help.. The private clinic is the one that serves the low income and uninsured...but on the other hand.. serving veterans is also a blessing! KUDOS!

cynthy · Oct 30, 2009

I'd work for the va over any private institution hands down because after your probation period, you can transfer as an lpn anywhere there's a va and not lose everything like you do with private places. 5 weeks vacation 10 holidays? add that up on paper and do a benefits comparison this, next and in 5 years. VA's pay for school which is huge!

Thanks for the advice.. A part of me is telling me that same thing.. With the other job 'begging' for me to work for them, makes it very hard to say no...it makes me feel good and want to give back to them in return.. but ,, your right,, the VA is a good job to have even though I won't be working in a nurse position.. I do plan on finishing my RN . do you know if they help pay for college? and then place you in a job or do you have to do that on own and bid on job?

cynthy · Oct 30, 2009

Your other post sounds like you are definitely in favor of the other job but I'd really think long and hard before passing up a VA position. I would hope that getting your foot in the door would most likely lead to a LPN position. Any chance you are going to get your RN? That would give you more security no matter which you pick. I'm big on the carry over of health benefits after retirement. If it weren't for needing health benefits DH and I could retire at 50 but that is just too big of an expense if you aren't on a group plan.

Part of me is leaning toward the private clinic because they are being so nice and want me to work for them... that makes me feel good about myself and makes me want to help them and work there.. but.. I have always heard that you want to get a fed. gov. job.. If you get in (VA) then you can always move up and travel.. more opportunities.. Do you know if they help pay for school? I am planning on gettting my RN.. just don't know how that will work into my job for VA

mlk1217 · Oct 31, 2009

VA is much better long term, pay sucks at first, but will build up. you might consider asking the private office to pay for school, stay for a few years then apply with the VA as an RN.