I almost want to kick myself for asking....

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

because it seems like there's so many posts about people asking about which job to take.

Background: RN 3 years experience in ICU, 3 years experience as an LVN (clinic, etc)

Potential positions I have are:

Case Management RN

Pros:

Seems like a Promotion, sorta

Hours M-F 8-5

New Marketable Skill set

Cons:

Limited overtime potential Night Shift

Limited flexibility of scheduling

VA Hospital of Long Beach

Pros:

Student Loan Repayment Program (30K in qualified loans that if I put in 3 years would be gone)

It's federal benefits

Cons:

It's for Telemetry, not sure I'd like it. I feel my critical thinking was underused from what I'm used to when I'd float there.

It's still nights, which have been getting harder.

I feel like overall the job offers are pretty equal. Night shift has been wearing me down, but it'd be so nice to get a break on my student loans. Although it's not my federal loans that I'm truly struggling with.

My other concern is taking a job in a telemetry unit and then being unable to break back into ICU, or it slowing down my ability to advance.

I would appreciate advice from anyone who has either worked at the VA or in Case Management to chip in.

I am capable of making my own decisions, I just think in this particular instance, I could use an objective third party.

Thanks!

[Marshall1]

With your experience you can always break back into ICU...basically sounds like you have to decide mostly on your student loan situation..if you removed that from the equation would you still be interested in the position? If not, then that tells you the position you are considering is for financial reasons only and over the long haul would that (paying off student loans) be worth it? Also, do you not have to be employed by the VA for a certain amt. of time before they will start paying the loans?

Sounds like you are leaning toward the CM position - and those positions, at least around my area, are not easy to get. Most nurses stay in them or have to get certified to even be considered.

You are in a great position overall to have 3 positions to choose from.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Thanks Marshall! I think I am leaning towards the CM position. The more I read about the Education Deb Reduction Program, the more I don't think I would benefit from it at the VA anyway. My loans were mostly incurred due to attempting to save a house and use the money to live on while I finished school (my husband was temporarily disabled at the worst time). It appears you have to "prove" what the loans were used for. I can't prove much of anything, I had a grant for the actual tuition. If anyone actually has any insight about the requirements of the VA Loan repayment program I'd appreciate it.