Please help, decision time - Job choice

Nurses Career Support

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Ok guys, I'm not looking for anybody to make my decision for me but I am looking for some input and advice. Here it goes.....

i was offered a job at the VA for a non-bedside job (which I am desperatly trying to get away from bedside nursing) the VA is 40+ miles away from me. Only pays 26 an hour and it's five days 8 hour days a week. ( I'm use to three 12's). Plus, there is a clinc in my hometown I think I might able to eventually put in for.

also got offered a job at a dialysis clinc which is 20 miles away. 29 an hour and I work 3 12's one week 4 12's the next week. (There is also one of these in my hometown to, but not hiring)

Please don't be critical. I'm not looking for anybody to make any decisions for me I jus want some input from people who have worked these jobs and try to weigh what my best option is. I don't know much about either, and I have researched both. But it would nice to have someone to offer an inside scoop. Thank you all! Have a great day!

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Specializes in OB.

First thing that comes to my mind is 40 miles each way x 5 days/week is 400 miles/week in gas costs and wear and tear on your car. I could see it 3 days/week but it would have to be the "dream" job for me to think it worth 5 days.

Just one consideration.

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Are both jobs unionized?

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Will the VA I'm sure is union type (?) but pretty much no Union on either job

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Will either job be a pay cut? How are the benefits stacking up against each other?

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Specializes in Oncology.

5 eight hour days with over a 40 mile drive each way quickly becomes 5 10-11 hour days. Might as well work 3 12's if you're going to do that. The dialysis job is miles better imo.

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The idea of a five day work week and an 80 mile commute to and from sounds exactly like a nightmare to me!

There are lots of Nursing Jobs where you can get away from 'bedside nursing' that are more in the middle of a desk job and a hospital job. That's why I'd vote for the dialysis job, myself. You are technically bedside -- with one patient for hours on end. It will be very different than bedside nursing on a typical hospital unit.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Considering VA benefits the rates are probably comparable but like others have said the amount of time invested will be significantly more. FWIW I loathe 5-8s so that might be clouding my response. The other thing is that although VA is a decent system to enter there is also no guarantee you will be able to transfer closer to home and in my experience many of VA employees are not so happy although that might be system specific. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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Yes I will be taking a pay cut on both jobs, I will be switching from nights to days so there goes my shift diff. Which I'm ok about cause I have done nights for far to long and ready to maybe have a more normal lifestyle. The VA will be the more huge pay cut at least 8 dollars less an hour. I know the dialysis is more the way to go, but I also know the benefits at the VA can't be beat! But I can't live off the benefits right now. I jus don't want to pass this opportunity up if it could possible be a great one.

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Dialysis job, no brainer.

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Benefits trump ALOT to me. My whole retirement plan was my (now ex) husband's retirement plan because he had amazing benefits. When I divorced, I knew I needed to get on top of that on my own. It's one of the reasons I took a school nurse job- the benefits cannot be beat and I believe that VA benefits are similar.

Would you move to be closer? I'm not sure where you are located, but $26 seems very low if you have experience (for my area)

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I'd have to want to do dialysis to take the dialysis job, doesn't sound like there is opportunity for change.

Also the type of driving would matter. Here 40 miles takes 50 minutes on fast country highways rarely affected by weather with a few slow downs through commercial areas.

And the chances of being able to transfer to home town or use the experience for either career building or lateral change with a different employer closer to home.

And if it afforded me the opportunity to shop at Costco and Trader Joes anytime I wanted :)

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