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



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Oct 30, 2009 01:52 PM

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

by cynthy

Can anyone out there help me with a really tough decision.. I am an LPN-IV certified with med/surg, er, school nursing, clinic, and homehealth experience. I have a dilemna, I have been offered a job with VA working in community oubased clinic as a health tech. doing phlebotomy and ekg's etc. No license needed. same pay as lPN. Also, a private Dr. office/residendcy program are begging me to work for them... I have people there that know me and they really want me to work for them.. I just don't know which is the better career choice.. which would be the happiest road? need to have advice Now.. they need to know.. Help!! Thanks

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16 Comments
No. 1
from SuesquatchRN
Old Oct 30, 2009, 01:54 PM

Default Re: LPN has 2 job offers; 1 for VA clinic as Health tech and 1 LPN private clinic. he
I don't know.

What are the benefits - retirement, medical, vacation - of the two different spots?
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No. 2
from Jules A
Old Oct 30, 2009, 02:00 PM

Default Re: LPN has 2 job offers; 1 for VA clinic as Health tech and 1 LPN private clinic. he
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!
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No. 3
from cynthy
Old Oct 30, 2009, 02:23 PM

Default Re: LPN has 2 job offers; 1 for VA clinic as Health tech and 1 LPN private clinic. he
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..
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No. 4
from cynthy
Old Oct 30, 2009, 02:24 PM

Default Re: LPN has 2 job offers; 1 for VA clinic as Health tech and 1 LPN private clinic. he
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..
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No. 5
from Jules A
Old Oct 30, 2009, 02:31 PM

Default Re: LPN has 2 job offers; 1 for VA clinic as Health tech and 1 LPN private clinic. he
Originally Posted by cpowell View Post
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.
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No. 6
from CASTLEGATES
Old Oct 30, 2009, 02:33 PM

Default Re: LPN has 2 job offers; 1 for VA clinic as Health tech and 1 LPN private clinic. he
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!
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No. 7
from Lacie
Old Oct 30, 2009, 02:34 PM

Default Re: LPN has 2 job offers; 1 for VA clinic as Health tech and 1 LPN private clinic. he
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.
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No. 8
from cynthy
Old Oct 30, 2009, 02:38 PM

Default Re: LPN has 2 job offers; 1 for VA clinic as Health tech and 1 LPN private clinic. he
Originally Posted by Lacie View Post
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!
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No. 9
from cynthy
Old Oct 30, 2009, 02:41 PM

Default Re: LPN has 2 job offers; 1 for VA clinic as Health tech and 1 LPN private clinic. he
Originally Posted by CASTLEGATES View Post
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?
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