Leave a job I enjoy for a chance at the VA?

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Long story short: I'm a new grad, been working at a psych hospital for 2 months now. Really enjoy my job! Got a call the other day from a nurse manager I've been keeping in touch with asking me to interview for a position at a local VA hospital for a skilled nursing/hospice floor. Everyone says it'd be a great opportunity for me, so I agreed to interview.

I'm scared at the thought of leaving a job I really like for the chance to join the VA on a unit that does not interest me. Plus, I don't want to screw over the facility I'm working at by leaving after only a couple of months. But everyone keeps saying its an amazing opportunity I probably won't get again, that I'll gain valuable skills, plus the awesome benefits at the VA would "even out" me possibly not liking the job as much as my current one.

Any advice? Or anyone working for a VA that can tell me how they like it? I go back & forth on what I want/think I should do...

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Go to the interview. See if you get offerred the job first. Wait to quit if you get a final job offer from the VA, it can take months to get cleared for everything by the VA, if you decide to. Only you can decide

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From what you sound like when you're saying a unit that does not interest you. Listen to yourself. Everyone can be a judge of what choices you can make but ultimately it is up to you. Do what makes you happy. If you are satisfied with your job then stick with it. It won't hurt to interview and gain some knowledge on this new place. If it isn't appealing to you well you need to go with your gut. We all know how the job market is and yes you don't want to burn bridges. So you be the ultimate decider of your career! Best of luck and congrats for being at a job that you like now!

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That grass is not greener on the other side. To genuinely enjoy ur job is a rarity, and if u have been lucky enough to find just that, I'd stick with it. Just my two cents

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Specializes in ORTHO, TRAUMA, MED-SURG, L&D, POSTPARTUM.

Did you end up getting an offer or accepting the VA Hospital job?

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Yep. Been working there for just over a year. Learned a ton and actually love going into work every day!

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Specializes in public health.

Money can't buy happiness

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