Input appreciated about job

[lmullan33]

Hi everyone! 

I’m looking for some insight. I have been a nurse for over ten years. I did emergency trauma for the bulk of it and then switched to a transplant coordinator. I currently work 48 hour call shifts where I am likely out 24+ hours straight on site at hospitals. I was offered a job M-F clinic at a VA but I’m horrible with change. So here’s where I need help- would going to M-F be awful. Hours 8-4? No weekends, holidays or call. Great pay. My current job is exhaustive and my four days “off” are catching up on sleep, sometimes actually off sometime I have meetings or doing hospital development at places and such. I have two little ones and I feel like I miss a lot- especially with holidays and weekend events when I’m on but I do like have my random week days off and time home with my kids but I feel burned out. I don’t want to do bedside right now so going to 3-12s isn’t something I’m interested in returning too. Anyone have insight on:

A - Is the VA nursing job a smart move?

B - Is M-F horrible? I’ve always loved shift workers but I’m struggling. 

C - Am I crazy and should I just stay where I am even if I feel exhausted and miserable at times?

I'm nervous to take on a new job and hate it as well and leave the seniority of a job I don’t care much for anyway. Sorry for the long post. Just would love insight on nurse who do M-F with little ones and if anyone works at a VA as a nurse their personal feelings of working there. TY! 

[lmullan33]

Sorry I tried updating this with more information and correcting misspellings but it won’t allow me too

[MelEpiRN]

I have no insight on that job, but I like M-F, no weekends, no call. I never really minded working holidays/ weekends when I wasn't married/ had kids. But I get to enjoy that now. It was also easier socially since most of my friends work M-F "normal" hours. I do miss things like running errands in the middle of a Tuesday since fewer people are at the stores but it isn't that big of a deal. My job is flexible enough that I can schedule Dr appointments and stuff during the week and not have to take an entire day off- but I don't know if you'll have that same benefit.

[DyerRN, LPN, RN]

This is coming from another Monday through Friday nurse 8-430. I honestly do not mind it. I regularly get to have dinner with my family, enjoy weekend events and can plan events in the future because of the set schedule. I am a manager of a SNF about to transition to hospice case manager with the same hours. Like the above poster I do miss running my errands on a Tuesday morning when I worked 3 12s. I also like the fact of guaranteed 40 hours a week.

Like every nursing field there are pros and cons. This may shock you, but if I were to pick it would probably be to stay with transplant. Even though it sounds like a stressful job the experience you get would be pretty interesting correct? 

If you need the better hours for family or for your sanity you will not go wrong working with the VA. I have some nursing school friends who work in different segments of the VA with a pretty high job satisfaction. 

Whatever your choice good luck and know there will always be more jobs out there!

[lmullan33]

@DyerRN I’ve been doing the transplant coordinator job 4 years now. Definitely interesting and I’ve learned a lot. I appreciate that all and my job is good to me but the cons of not being home for over 24 hours and such has taken a toll so I wanted change BUT M-F makes me nervous ?. I think I’ll try it and with what you said once I’m in the VA maybe I could find something internally if this doesn’t work? I’m just hoping I am making the best decision for my family and for my mental/physical health. Thank you to you both for the reply’s. I really appreciate it. @MelEpiRN

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

VA has great benefits! I hope it works out and that you have more time to sleep, more energy, and more time with your family.

[DyerRN, LPN, RN]

I agree with Libra, the VA has amazing benefits and usually great pay. Mon-Fri is nice because it is "normal" LOL. I see friends and family a little more than when I worked 12s.

[maydaymalone, BSN, RN]

I work for the VA and would highly recommend it.  This is my 4th nursing job / different hospitals, and this is the best job I've had.  I do work at a VA hospital and not a clinic, but I can confirm it has the best pay and benefits of any of the jobs I've had.  I work 12-hr shifts because I want to, but our dept has 8, 10 and 12 hour shifts which is nice because then almost everyone gets what suits them best.  Those that work 5-eights seem to like them--usually because of having younger children at home, but not always.  Once you get started at the VA, it is easy to switch jobs too, so if you don't like it you can transfer much easier than in the 'public sector' and not lose any time.  I will caution you that actually starting can take awhile (several months in some cases) due to the extra background checks etc. so don't put in your notice until you have officially been hired and given a start date. Good luck!