lifesacomedy

Well just to update everyone! I am so thankful for all of your insights. I spent several days stewing over this and feeling drawn to the VA position the whole time. The surgical clinic called and made my decision for me. The offer was way low (I was surprised actually, and I think the person doing comps wasn't familiar with the nursing field). So I declined. I feel very excited about my VA prospects and feel like I needed to go to another interview and get and decline another offer to be certain. And now I am certain of where I want to be. í ½í¸Š So refreshing and thank you everyone!

This is also my concern. It COULD be an amazing opportunity. Or it could be throwing myself into the fire.

I do think that I would like to move into management but I don't feel like I can fully affirm this until I have done it.

Thank you! I see myself in mgmt at some point either way. I neglected to mention this. But it would be a staff RN VA CBOC job with the hopes of moving up and around later (plus pay and hours are better than where I am now) or take a mgmt job right away but with little support. Thank you for your insights!

Certainly someone has an opinion? Hmm.

I have two job offers coming in, and I need help deciding which would be best. For the sake of argument, let's say that the pay would be equal or commensurate, because I would negotiate that since I have two offers. :) My background: BSN for 5 years, prior experience as a teacher and case manager for 5 years. I have done relief charge, and bedside nursing in neonatal intensive care and adult critical care. Job 1: Clinical Nurse Manager of a growing multi-specialty surgical practice. This is a new position with the promise that the other specialties also want a CNM too. Managing MA's, developing and educating staff, writing policy and procedure, data management, filling in clinically (one day/week is definitely a specialty clinical day). The small practice serves as my resource, but since this is a new position, there will be very little mentorship or training. Job 2: VA outpatient clinic. Float RN in an outpt clinic. Great benefits, good pay, stable. Transferable. Which would you take? And why?

Hi there. I'm happy to answer questions for you. I've been an RN at FMC for 5 years and have lived in Flagstaff for 12. It can be a hard place to learn to live with the cost of living. But to be honest, it's gotten much easier as a nurse. I don't think you'll be blown away by the pay. You'll make more in Phoenix. But...then you'd have to live in Phoenix. You won't suffer though. We own a home and a rental home. We both have to work to meet obligations and raise our kids. Homes are expensive and small. But it's a lifestyle. And if you're used to that, or if it's worth it to you to become used to that you will like it. Feel free to shoot me some questions.

Wow! What a ride! I was called and offered a position yesterday! Let the process begin! Thank you again for recommending the template for the document. I'm going to begin working on that.

Thank you so much for that insight! I googled that and found a good website, explanation, and template. I really appreciate it because it appears that the boarding is heavily weighted by the writing of this document. I want to make sure I do a great job!

Hello, I have applied and been referred for a CBOC Assistant Mgr position. I currently work in a local civilian hospital and do not have government experience. Can anyone tell me what I may expect now? The pay range is incredibly broad. I know approx where I would fall on the scale if I were a new hire RN (Nurse II, step 3 or 4). Does the Assistant RN manager role fall on the same scale? What step might I be looking at? The hours listed on the post are incredibly broad as well. Sounds like M-F and possible night, weekend, holiday coverage. Are these positions always on call, is it site specific, or does this just mean hours are undecided at this point? Thank you in advance for answering my questions. I am excited about the possibility but know that the process can be long and unclear.

hi there! I just graduated with my BSN in December. I am now a new grad NICU RN, but prior I did a NICU Externship, so I know exactly where you stand! It's an exciting time, and congrats on getting the position! Our education program used "Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing." It is a thorough book, and a great resource. Might be a great book to pick up, but don't plan to read it cover to cover or understand everything in the book. Most importantly, learn from your preceptor and your experiences. It's a totally different world than any other, but it's amazing. Soak it in! Congrats again!

of course! we are in class together then...who knew! i'm the one who is becoming more pregnant by the day. :0) and I had black-bishop for 350 this semester and was doing hospice. we take our hesi on monday. i'm taking the weekend, going to phoenix, and plan to lay by my friend's pool, belly up to the sun with a hesi study guide to shield my eyes (I hear they're good for napping under) ;0) . get out of this late snow!

That is wonderful! I'm glad it is working out well! I graduate in December, so I'm finishing up the last of the last right now, getting ready to take my Exit HESI, and then looking forward to Capstone next semester. Again, I wasn't trying to be a downer, I just wanted to make sure you were setting yourself up for success, but it sounds like you knew what you were capable of and went for it! Best of luck in the rest of your program! And congrats on completing the first year! Almost there!

I'm in the program now as a second degree student. Lots of people say that the program is hard to get in to. I only applied once and got in, so I didn't have that experience. I had a 3.2 gpa (not amazing) and a 92% HESI. Best of luck!

Daytonite, I always love your responses and wondered if you would go ahead and post Na and (oh shoot, now I can't remember which ones you did and didn't post). I'm printing the guides for my own reference. Would you mind including the others? Thanks!