Please help, decision time - Job choice

[Vwpenn]

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!

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

Would you get civil service for retirement from the VA job? I had two neighbors who had worked for the government and got civil service instead of Social Security when they retired, and those people were loaded. Like take regular vacations down to Florida, fly to Vegas a few times a year, and pretty much live any way they want to loaded. Exactly the way I want to be able to live after I retire type of loaded. Not to mention you're trying to get away from the bedside, and the opportunity sounds gift wrapped.

I would take the VA job, and then I would relocate closer to it if I couldn't transfer to where I lived.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Hi, I moved to Nursing Career Advice for members interested in helping you make career decisions.

You might want to review discussions in our Dialysis / Renal / Urology

forum regarding members laments about this career choice.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

If you are 55years or older then job security and a good retirement plan are important considerations. In a union type of environment like the VA, there will be a higher level of job security and benefits, than in a dialysis clinic. After reading some of the threads in the dialysis/renal/urology forum, it seems there are low levels of job security and job satisfaction in many dialysis clinics.

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

It is only a tough decision (in my opinion) because of the distance to the VA. As everyone has said, VA is govt, the benefits probably outweigh the miles. I would take that one.