Leave VA or Stay

[26.2, BSN]

Hello everyone,

I in a dilemma with my current job. I work on a basic med surg unit. I have been here at the VA 6 months now. Took me 4 months to get in.

I came from a step down unit and I feel like on this med surg unit I am loosing my skills. Of course they have great benefits here and that is why a lot of people like to work here.

ICU positions here come up every few years where 100 people apply and 2 positions get filled.

I see there are critical care internships in surrounding civilian hospitals offered. So I don't know if I should leave such a good benefit job for ICU position which is what I really want.

Is there any Nurses out there that have worked at VA and left? Or left a good paying, good nebefit job for better positions?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Tossing in my own two cents, you might want to consider job and financial stability as well. It's great to always work on a unit that you are crazy about, but the reality is jobs in nursing are becoming scarcer as facilities close and downsize. You might get into a unit you think is fabulous, but after being there 6 months you could easily get a pink slip ("sorry, you're great, but we're cutting costs and nurses are being herded out the door").

Where you are now, you have a chance at REAL job stability and financial security for your new family. Yes, you will have a pension and a chance to have $$ matching in place; you might not even get the option for that if you leave for a private sector job. I know of what I speak: after years in the private sector, and now in VA, I can't imagine what could possibly entice me 'out there' to make me leave a reasonably secure position. A government job isn't iron-clad, but if you do it well and give no reason for dismissal, you keep it, period. In the private sector, you are typically considered an 'at will' employee; you keep your job only as long as your employer wills it! And if they want to cut benefits, or hours, or pay....all is fair game. Where you are now, not happening.

Your concern is that ICU jobs don't come up much where you are. But what happens if you get your dream job and your hours are cut? Benefits are cut, or cost so much you CAN'T afford to keep them? I'm sure you realize babies aren't cheap, and insurance is pricey, so.....just worth keeping in mind as you consider leaving where you are for The Great Unknown.

[26.2, BSN]

RnsRWe,

Thank you for your input. You are definitely on the spot. I know a lot of people don't leave the VA at all. I agree with you on the private sector. I work at the VA in St. Petersburg. I do have great benefits and pay as well.

I do want ICU and that is my dream job. I plan on doing part time there or as needed if I don't get ICU there. I am not leaving the system. I have a while to think about it before I make any stupid moves and regret it later.

Thank you for your two cents.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I am a vet thinking about applying to the VA. Is it true that they dont do a lot of heparin? How is the EMR?

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

I am a vet thinking about applying to the VA. Is it true that they dont do a lot of heparin? How is the EMR?

Not sure if you worked with the military's charting but for the most part it is better then the Army's. But one thing g they still use is their version of CHCS. I have worked with 3 or 4 civilian electronic records and the VA' s was better then all of them. Still can use some improvements and would not doubt if there are some better ones out there just that I did not work with any.

[LAM2010, BSN]

I am not sure about your VA, but ones with "waiting list" issues are hiring a lot more people... others might be, too... I know mine is. So you might see ICU jobs open up for you when the patient load increases... :)

[ORTech2RN]

The VA still has a pension. FERS is social security plus pension plus TSP. I even logged into mypay to check this

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Posted below is from OPM.gov related to FERS

"FERS is a retirement plan that provides benefits from three different sources: aBasic Benefit Plan, Social Security and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Two of the three parts of FERS (Social Security and the TSP) can go with you to your next job if you leave the Federal Government before retirement. The Basic Benefit and Social Security parts of FERS require you to pay your share each pay period. Your agency withholds the cost of the Basic Benefit and Social Security from your pay as payroll deductions. Your agency pays its part too. Then, after you retire, you receive annuity payments each month for the rest of your life.

[26.2, BSN]

Thank you jeckrn for clarification