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Discussion

Continue Bedside or Take Occ? US RN in Europe

Hi all, 

First off, I wish all my colleagues well and know that although I don’t know you all, I am pulling for us through this pandemic. 
 

Just needing some quick advice. I’ve been fortunate to be offered an awesome opportunity as a civilian RN for Med/Surg at the US military hospital in Europe. Midway in after accepting my offer (federal government hiring is utterly slow by the way) I received a second offer today for their RN Occupational Health department. It would be to manage occupational health injuries for the US military across Europe and includes supervisory duties. Something new and exciting. 
 

My background: been a nurse for 6 years started out in Tele, have done urgent care, ED, occupational health (worked for a medical clinic at a major airport in the US), travel medicine, float, travel nursing-both international and domestic- and now live in Europe which is why I set out for the position. I’m also currently working on my FNP-PHD. I’m just unsure which position to go for. I feel either one is a win. The Med/Surg position , from what I’ve told, is “very relaxed compared to US counterpart”, also involves a bit of supervisory skills as we have LPNs(but I’m thinking of that ratio increasing) and since they serve the entire military branch of Europe, it’s an open field in helping with the helipad, etc. 

But let’s face it, bedside is exhausting and this year has just proven it. I still love bedside but now there’s a chance for something to new...or do I continue to hone my skills? Plus the OCC health is a step up in pay (civilians are determined via the GS system). But housing is also provided. I’m just curious to know what my colleagues think. Which would you do? Thank you in advance all. Appreciate you taking the time to read my mess. 

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    • Featured Replies

    OCC Health is it's own specialty and there can be lots of opportunities to develop assessment skills, as well as plenty of chances to do patient teaching. Hospital nursing is not the end all and be all of nursing. It sounds like a great opportunity- go for it!

     

    Also, it sounds like it could complement the primary care emphasis in a FHP program.

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    Pay is more for occ hx so your housing/utilities allowance will be more.  You'll be on straight days basically with occ hx, you'll do rotating shifts on med-surg.  You'll have 10 federal holidays off on the day of the holiday with occ hx, not so with m-s.  Of course the bad part of that is that you'll be traveling when everyone else who works M-F will be traveling.  And really, if you're talking the major MTF in Germany run mostly by the Army I don't think they use the helipad all that much.  Patients are transported back to the US via medevac flights but all you'll do with that is get them and paperwork ready and possibly help take them down to get on the bus/ambulance to go to the flightline.  You won't go to the flightline yourself usually.

    I just reread your post, do you not get housing with the m-s position also?  Will you be considered a stateside hire (which includes housing) or are you there with a spouse.  If occ hx pays housing and m-s doesn't you're looking at a lot of money right there!

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    Oh, concerning traveling...if you go occ hx you'll end up taking more leave days to travel cuz you'll only have S-S off except holiday weekends.  If you go m-s you'll be on 12 hour shifts (I'm assuming they're still doing them) and you can travel on 4 days off without taking leave.  Plus you can hopefully request 5 days off.  You see I'm more about the traveling than the job because as a friend who was going there as military said "I don't care what I do, I'm fine with anything, it's the location that's important!''

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    • Author

    Thanks for your response! There’s housing pay for both, though I have a home in Europe with my fiancé (he’s European citizen), I’ve still maintained my housing in the states so housing would still qualify for either position I choose. I have lived in Europe now for almost 4 years and done a bit of traveling but like you say, traveling is great and I’ll never get tired of it! You make a good point on the hours worked and that has crossed my mind. Thought I had my mind made up but still a bit perplexed on which to choose ...have until tomorrow to decide but hoping to decide by today. I feel like I’ve made my time with bedside nursing and Occ Hx is great to continue with again. I’ll post soon to share what I’ve decided! So far, family and friends all vote for Occ HX, but ultimately of course it’s my decision. Thanks again for your reply! 

    Jed, you make an excellent point about the hospital not being the end of all! As well as tying the FNP with Occ Hx. Thank you 

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    • Experts

    It sounds like Occ Hx is the way to go, although they both seem like great opportunities. Only thing I would potentially be hesitant of is if you already officially accepted the med surg position, would you be burning any bridges be rescinding that acceptance and switching to Occ health instead...if not then I say go for it!

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