VA Job Offer

[TippyTappyMeow, MSN]

I received an offer from my local VA. I have some reservations about taking the position more so because I really did not want to go further into the hospital. I currently work on an observation unit that falls under the emergency department. The VA position is on a med/surg/tele unit and I'd be working dayshift. Working days was my biggest motivator for applying. My other concern is it's classified as part time despite my FTE not changing between positions. 

This first question I fully recognize should've been asked during my interview, but can you tour/shadow on units before being hired? What impact does being part time (0.9) have on benefits vs full time? 

I haven't hit my 6 months in nursing, but I know nightshift isn't for me anymore. Ideally, I'd love to go towards a clinic position. My gut is telling me to decline the VA offer and finish out the Summer when I will have made it 6 months and then reassess what direction I want. If I feel the same about clinic nursing then I need to hit my 1 year mark to make myself more desirable internally as a candidate.

[amoLucia]

Just FYI, it usually takes quite a bit of time between the time of your offer and the completion of all the other pre-employment details needed. So that will buy you some wiggle-room time before you would start.

Also VA positions are highly sought after. So it would be in your best interest to move cautiously if you are seriously thinking of declining a VA position. For all the silly rigamarol related to VA positions, those positions offer great opp'ties re benefits to nurses.

 Also you have the privilege of providing service to a very special population off pts needing your care.

[guest1168940]

I agree I would take it and can transfer probably after a year and looking at other units or clinics etc. 

[Shan82]

I have a tentative offer with VA and I’m asked to accept it. If I accept it and I changed my mind, can I still turn it down?