2 job offers... now what???

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in oncology.

Hello everyone! I have a dilemma and would like some feedback and/or opinions...

Currently, I work for a health system undergoing some major changes in the services we provide. In a nutshell, we are combining services between hospitals to save money. In my present position, I work as a staff nurse on a short stay unit. My background is primarily oncology/hematology/BMT (with a little outpatient surgery). Because there has been a major decline in our census, I have been job searching to avoid being laid off. The future of the entire health system is not clear, but it will definitely last in some form or another.

I have 2 job offers on the table and am completely stuck on which to take. I know the choice is ultimately my decision, but I do value the insight of others.

Job A is with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in my area on an inpatient medicine/liver transplant/oncology unit. The pay is very competitive, great benefits, 5 weeks of vacation, and free parking. I would have to rotate all shifts and work every other weekend. This position is 80 hours per pay and there is flexibility in scheduling, but I would be required to work some 12-hour shifts. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:4-5 on day shift and 1:6 on night shift with no guarantee of a nurse assistant.

Job B is with a large oncology practice with the system (12 offices) across 5 counties, and I would be floating between to oncology offices. This is a salary position for 80 hours per pay regardless of hours worked and would be what I currently make. The benefits are pretty good, 3 weeks of vacation, and parking is $50/month (on-site). It is Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, no weekends or holidays. I would be primarly administering chemotherapy. Everyone was super super nice at the interview and at both sites. The two offices are within 8 miles of my house.

Where I work now, I work Monday through Friday, 5 8's or 2 8's and 2 12's. No weekends or holidays. All outpatient and give a lot of chemotherapy and IV infusions.

I am sure the answer is obvious, but I am really in a bind... PLEASE HELP ME!!!

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I would take the job with the VA.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

I woul take job B.

Best of luck with your decision!

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Specializes in adult ICU.

You know, it's really not obvious. It looks like you have two really excellent offers.

My personal bias is the VA position. Federal jobs are the bomb (I have one.) You will not get better benefits anywhere, or more vacation. The thing is your schedule is not going to be anywhere near as awesome as your outpatient schedule will be and it sounds like the specialty of the unit isn't quite what you are used to.

I didn't look and see how old you were, but if you are looking for a health system that is going to set you up with a good salary, retirement, and potentially a very long career, the VA is awesome. There is a lot less of this system redesign/consolidate/liquidate/lay-off business happening in the government sector. It is a very, very stable job, which may or may not mean a lot to you.

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Specializes in Psych.

I don't know that the answer is obvious, but the next question that seems to be is:

What kind of LIFE do you want to have?

Consider how each option might affect your health and well being, your relationships, and your financial goals.

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.
Job A is with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in my area on an inpatient medicine/liver transplant/oncology unit. The pay is very competitive, great benefits, 5 weeks of vacation, and free parking. I would have to rotate all shifts and work every other weekend. This position is 80 hours per pay and there is flexibility in scheduling, but I would be required to work some 12-hour shifts. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:4-5 on day shift and 1:6 on night shift with no guarantee of a nurse assistant.

This job, although rotating shifts, and every other weekend, sounds challenging and a place to learn and grow. Also, a job at the VA, enables you to have a great pension when you retire. 2 weeks more vacation and free parking. Many opportunities are avalible in a VA Hospital, and who says you would have to stay in that position? Were you told how long you would have to stay in that position before bidding on a different job? This job has sooooooo many different possibilities.

Job B is with a large oncology practice with the system (12 offices) across 5 counties, and I would be floating between to oncology offices. This is a salary position for 80 hours per pay regardless of hours worked and would be what I currently make. The benefits are pretty good, 3 weeks of vacation, and parking is $50/month (on-site). It is Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, no weekends or holidays. I would be primarly administering chemotherapy. Everyone was super super nice at the interview and at both sites. The two offices are within 8 miles of my house.

I bet you are thinking this job would probably be your first choice, but are you going to learn new things? Will you become bored with the same ole, same ole? And commuting between 12 offices, across 5 counties? How new is your vehicle, and how fast do you want to rack up mile after mile on it?

This is my opinion, I think maybe you should think long and hard about job A, but it's JMO. Let me know what you decide. Good luck in what ever path you choose.:)

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You know, it's really not obvious. It looks like you have two really excellent offers.

My personal bias is the VA position. Federal jobs are the bomb (I have one.) You will not get better benefits anywhere, or more vacation. The thing is your schedule is not going to be anywhere near as awesome as your outpatient schedule will be and it sounds like the specialty of the unit isn't quite what you are used to.

I agree, take the VA job. My dad has a federal job that he thought he was only going to keep for a year or two at most. Eight years later, he's getting ready to retire with a great pension and amazing insurance for the rest of his life. :)

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

VA for all the reasons listed above. :)

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Specializes in med-surg.

I'll go for the VA job!;)

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Specializes in ER/ float.

VA for sure, I will add this perspective that I have noticed with many posts involving multible job offers to a few nurses. I wonder how reading these posts affects the hundreds of nurses out there that cannot even obtain an interview and ready to give up on the whole nursing idea? Quite depressing to read about nurse so and so asking a question that should be common sense along with her own decision. just my 2 cents,

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Take Job A-with the VA Hospital.....except of course if you abhor working week-ends.

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Specializes in Psych.
VA for sure, I will add this perspective that I have noticed with many posts involving multible job offers to a few nurses. I wonder how reading these posts affects the hundreds of nurses out there that cannot even obtain an interview and ready to give up on the whole nursing idea? Quite depressing to read about nurse so and so asking a question that should be common sense along with her own decision. just my 2 cents,

It's very nice of you to be thinking of us unemployed new grads. Speaking for myself...no it doesn't depress me to hear of this person's (or anyone's) good fortune. I realize that right now there are not enough jobs for everyone who wants one, and that for the jobs they do have available, that employers are looking for the most experienced candidates they can get.

I AM though, just about ready to give up on this whole nursing thing, as are a number of my pals from the class of 2009.

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