Insight, please, on pros/cons of VA position

[evansmum]

Good afternoon, all!

I would genuinely appreciate some insight from other nurses who have worked, or currently work, for the VA Health system. I was given a conditional offer for an ER position out in Kansas City, MO, and I am enthralled with the opportunity (and how quickly the offer rolled in). There's a lot to weigh and consider, however, as I move forward with the credentialing process....

I currently live in Clarksville, TN, as my husband is still active duty Army. He is set to ETS this upcoming March, but is hoping to leave the service earlier (around October), given a new regulation that permits such a move....I am also 20 weeks pregnant and due November 1st. The VA there is aware, and doesn't seem to have any concerns. I've already traveled from TN to KS to do my physical and draw titers.

As far as moving ahead of time without my husband--that doesn't intimidate me. BUT! I want to ensure that this is the right move for me and for my family. We are planning on living on the KS side, which means a commute to work--probably close to 45 minutes. I've commuted for work before (65 mi one way), and it eventually wore me down....but, I also wasn't completely happy in my position, either. We haven't begun to discuss pay yet, and I know I have to wait until the board convenes. However, moving from an area with a lower cost-of-living, to an area with a higher cost-of-living, I worry that the pay won't be sufficient enough to make up the difference. I graduate with my BSN on August 9th, and have worked for 2 years in the ED. I want a level II final offer, and was wondering if this was even plausible?

The benefits are what is really alluring, especially with my husband's time in service coming to a close, and needing to pick up health insurance again for our family. It's just a big decision to make--the financial commitment to moving us out there, the commute, etc....

Please, someone, ease my mind that this is the right decision. I am having my doubts, which is upsetting, because I was so excited about this position and offer. I have rarely seen open ED positions in the VA, and emergency medicine is my passion and comfort zone.

Thanks!

[coupb8222]

Hi,

I am sorry dear that I can't ease your mind.

I'm a Veteran and I work for the VA as well.

Job opportunity sounds great. However not sure if it sounds like a good fit giving all you have going on.

If you are having a baby I think you will not like the commute. Jobs are not everything. Why not find a job closer to home. Life is to short to be commuting all the time. The VA is great, It is great you want to invest in the system. I think the commute will be hard on you, and don't recommend commuting for families. You will be adjusting to a lot, the baby and him not being active duty anymore. Too stressful. Money sounds great, position sounds great. But how will your marriage be? How will time with husband and baby be with that long commute? things to consider.

Also important to Note if you have been an If you are a New RN with no experience you do not qualify for Nurse I Level II. Your past experience is not RN experience so it does not count. If you are ACLS certified, and have high GPA make sure to include that as it may make a difference in your pay (I received step increases with this).

Also for cost of living try to use this calculator to determine what the exact difference is for cost of living. Cost of Living Calculator: Compare the Cost of Living in Two Cities - CNNMoney

Good luck. Talk with your husband about it and what happens when baby is born, what are you doing for daycare etc? What does your day look like with baby + commute. all things to consider.

Best of luck in your choice.

Congratulations on your graduation, and Congrats to your husband's ETS, and soon Honorable Discharge!

[evansmum]

Hi,

I am sorry dear that I can't ease your mind.

I'm a Veteran and I work for the VA as well.

Job opportunity sounds great. However not sure if it sounds like a good fit giving all you have going on.

If you are having a baby I think you will not like the commute. Jobs are not everything. Why not find a job closer to home. Life is to short to be commuting all the time. The VA is great, It is great you want to invest in the system. I think the commute will be hard on you, and don't recommend commuting for families. You will be adjusting to a lot, the baby and him not being active duty anymore. Too stressful. Money sounds great, position sounds great. But how will your marriage be? How will time with husband and baby be with that long commute? things to consider.

Also important to Note if you have been an If you are a New RN with no experience you do not qualify for Nurse I Level II. Your past experience is not RN experience so it does not count. If you are ACLS certified, and have high GPA make sure to include that as it may make a difference in your pay (I received step increases with this).

Also for cost of living try to use this calculator to determine what the exact difference is for cost of living. Cost of Living Calculator: Compare the Cost of Living in Two Cities - CNNMoney

Good luck. Talk with your husband about it and what happens when baby is born, what are you doing for daycare etc? What does your day look like with baby + commute. all things to consider.

Best of luck in your choice.

Congratulations on your graduation, and Congrats to your husband's ETS, and soon Honorable Discharge!

Hello!

Thank you so much for your response--it is greatly appreciated! I suppose I didn't go into as much depth as I should have....I have been working in the ER for two years now as an RN. I initially worked trauma, so along with my BLS/ACLS, I also carry TNCC, and have been entertaining the idea of sitting for my CEN. I am just now graduating in August from USF with my BSN, since I went part-time after graduating with my ADN (although, an accomplishment, none-the-less!)

This is my third baby, and as you said, the commute is deterring to me...I hated it before, and being a Florida girl at heart, I dread a long commute when winter decides to settle in up in Kansas...I fear the commute will be anxiety-ridden!

I hate passing up such a great opportunity, because the benefits are certainly alluring (especially all of that PTO!), but I just can't help but feel that it's not the right move. There's so much up in the air concerning my husband's actual ETS date, that I fear he wouldn't make it up for the birth of our daughter, and I don't want to take that experience from him (plus, I WANT him there!). Plus, it's a swing shift, and I feel like that would be a bit difficult to finagle on my own with my older two--especially with one entering kindergarten.

Sigh.

Infiltrating the VA system seemed like the perfect opportunity--especially as a veteran, myself, and with dreams of continuing my education: great stability, great benefits, etc... But, Kansas City is far from the place I want to raise my family, and I'd love to stay more rural in the country, and have only a slight commute to my position.

I suppose I should get in contact with HR and submit my decision. I just hope I don't regret it!