Hired in VA OR

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Specializes in O.R. Nursing - ENT, CTC, Vasc..

Hi. I got a job in the OR at my local VA. It's in the city, and directly beside another major University med center. It's MD residents and students come to the VA, too.

My current boss likes to tell me how awful it is. She's never been there. She isn't really being devious; but we work in an ASC and so it's all healthy outpatients and no call or weekends... etc.

What made me look at other jobs was our surgery center was changing and our caseload dropped indefinitely. I am the sole provider in my home so I couldn't afford to wait it out and "hope" we got new cases. My boss told me we'd get more cases, but I don't trust anyone - I am used to working for big hospitals and Comcast, after all. So as the deadline for the business change approached, so did the deadline for applying for this OR job I found.

When I told her I got interviewed at the VA and they were going to call her (after they told me they wouldn't call until I got a job offer... Grrr...), she did some things to keep me there. But then our company doubled my insurance rates and deductibles, etc. So I completed the whole hiring process at the VA and chose the latest orientation date that I could, still not 100% sure if I wanted to leave - it comes down to call at the VA vs. no call where I am. And benefits.

Now, we just learned the ASC is being bought by a big hospital and we're getting cases again.

But the VA has the retirement and I'm pretty sure their medical benefits are cheaper. AND, they told me they don't make us go home if caseload is low.

I worked in a city hospital OR before - everyone thinks it's nasty but I loved it, it wasn't as bad as everyone thought it was. So I don't see how a VA could be worse than that.

I also don't take people's word for things, either... lol.... So I don't know why I am posting. Just working it out, I guess.... But having a better retirement in 20 years and getting education and lots of time off does sound nice. I think I am just spoiled by the ASC hours.

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Good luck with your decision! I'm considering a va job as well. The time off there is unmatched! The population can be difficult to work with, but overall they are very sweet and cooperative.

RN BSN 2014

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Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.

I went from an ASC to the VA and received the same comments from doctors and nurses about how horrible the VA is. I actually loved the VA and the OR in Philly. There were some kinks but what workplace doesn't? The benefits were great and the PTO is AMAZING!!! You'll earn 12 hours each pay period (every 2 weeks!) I love the paid time off!! I'm leaving the VA, the OR, and Philly all together to move to the Sunshine State in Florida. I just started working in the ICU.

I only left the VA because they couldn't train me in the ICU (further my growth) which was unfortunate. I'm a vet and I loved taking care of veterans. Maybe one day I'll come back to the VA as a CRNA.

I think you should explore the opportunity! But don't take my word for it 😁! Good Luck!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

A lot of people who have never worked at the VA says its horrible. Most of that comes from the media and the past reputation of the VA. Is there problems at the VA, yes just like every other facility. The time off is great, where else can you start with 26 days of vacation a year, 13 sick days and no call offs. I know of nurses who work at community hospitals and end up with no vacation time because they have to use it for call offs and when they ask for time off they are told no because they do not have any time. There is more choices at the VA for health insurance they anywhere else I have worked. Most places its one and only one choice, the federal government has many choices. It is not cheap but it is good insurance. You must make the right decision for you; when it comes to call ask how often call is and how often the team gets called in. I do not like call either but it is one of things in working in a OR.

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Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.

And don't forget about those 10 paid federal holidays on top of the other paid days off as mentioned above. That's 49 paid days off a year! I loved it!

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Specializes in O.R. Nursing - ENT, CTC, Vasc..

I worked at a safety net hospital everyone thought was awful, but I ended up liking it. I figure this can't be worse than that, lol :) Thanks for your thoughts

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