Not sure what to do-VA (Hospital) vs Civilian RN (Family Practice)

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OK, I'm torn. I've been working in a clinic for 3 years as an RN, and have been job searching. I need some input from anyone who works at VA Hospitals, or as a contract civilian RN for the military.

Our local VA is in need of an RN for their Hospital in 3 departments (Medical, Senior Care, and Specialty Ambulatory Care Unit). I understand that I would be making about double the amount that I am now, and that the retirement and benefits are excellent. The downfall with this position in my eyes is that is a longer distance to drive (about 40 minutes), is more time on my feet than what I'm used, back to shift work and Holidays, etc... to the recruiting manager is sending out the application package next week.

THEN, I got a call from a recruiter looking for a Civilian RN (1 year contract...which renews yearly...has been a position for 10 years, but the person is leaving...) for an AirForce Base. This is in a Family Practice Clinc...Federal Holidays off, M-F, 8-4:30. I'm not sure what they would pay, not sure what to ask for salary....any suggestions?? Do they take money out for taxes with contract nurses? I'm not sure WHAT to do.

I understand that the VA would be my best choice if I'm looking for LONG TERM retirement, but then if I've got my foot in the door at the AirForce Base...maybe once my contract is up, then I could move into a more permanent position? I'm not sure how that works.

Please let me know if any of you have any suggestions or experiences for me. Tell me some pros and cons of either position.

HELP!?!?!?! :banghead:

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
OK, I'm torn. I've been working in a clinic for 3 years as an RN, and have been job searching. I need some input from anyone who works at VA Hospitals, or as a contract civilian RN for the military.

Our local VA is in need of an RN for their Hospital in 3 departments (Medical, Senior Care, and Specialty Ambulatory Care Unit). I understand that I would be making about double the amount that I am now, and that the retirement and benefits are excellent. The downfall with this position in my eyes is that is a longer distance to drive (about 40 minutes), is more time on my feet than what I'm used, back to shift work and Holidays, etc... to the recruiting manager is sending out the application package next week.

THEN, I got a call from a recruiter looking for a Civilian RN (1 year contract...which renews yearly...has been a position for 10 years, but the person is leaving...) for an AirForce Base. This is in a Family Practice Clinc...Federal Holidays off, M-F, 8-4:30. I'm not sure what they would pay, not sure what to ask for salary....any suggestions?? Do they take money out for taxes with contract nurses? I'm not sure WHAT to do.

I understand that the VA would be my best choice if I'm looking for LONG TERM retirement, but then if I've got my foot in the door at the AirForce Base...maybe once my contract is up, then I could move into a more permanent position? I'm not sure how that works.

Please let me know if any of you have any suggestions or experiences for me. Tell me some pros and cons of either position.

HELP!?!?!?! :banghead:

The contract position at AF bases are usually just like a normal job i.e. they take taxes out and everything else just like a normal job. The hours/time off our pretty sweet working in a clinic in the AF as a contractor, but the majority of your job is doing telephone consults. If answering the phone all the time and sitting behind a desk doesn't bother you it is a really nice job.

You would be making double the amount you do now working at the VA? That is really unusual most people that I know take a small pay cut to work at the VA, but do it because of the benefits. I had a really bad experience doing manning assist at the VA and don't hold the VA system in high regard. I highly recommend finding out as much as you can about the areas you would work in at the VA before you take a position there. From my limited experience the staff often calls, you get stuck with all the worst schedules/holidays until you have several years of senority, and some of the worst nurses/staff are protected by their senority/union.

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Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.

This is a very old post. Just wondering if you ever found out about the pay at the Air Force Base, and what you ultimately decided to do.

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All the jobs and how much they pay are on USAJOBS.COM

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FOOLED ME.

Didn't look at the freakin date!!!

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