VA pay/ benefits or Pediatric Emergency Dept RN

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I have been blessed with two awesome job decisions. Pediatric ED or VA step down and tele. Ped. ED I have applied for 3 times and finally got an interview and job offer. And Stepdown/tele is a great position also. I'm looking to expand on my 3 years of nursing and I've also just began my FNP program. The VA will pay more and have better benefits, but pediatric emergency department will probably prepare me better for my future as an FNP. I have goals of working at an urgent care clinic or primary care office.Do I choose benefits/pay over what might benefit me more??

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Depends on how much more in pay, and benefits. Is it a significant difference?

If it were me, I'd do Peds ER in a heartbeat. That's a way better gig.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Not sure why peds ed would help your future goal of FNP. You will only take care of patients 13 and older as an FNP.

I.would jump at the chance for a VA job. The nurses I know who work for the VA are very happy. The pension alone is amazing.

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Specializes in Care Coordination, General Surgery, Oncology.

Vastly different populations, I'd say each requiring that you really want to work with said populations. Do you have experience with either of them, or have a sense of which you would prefer? I never knew I would enjoy working with vets until I worked with them, but I love it. I also thought I would enjoy working with kids until I had my peds rotation and hated it. In general, I love working at the VA, and the pension is nice. The benefits over time are great. But if you feel like you would enjoy the pediactric ED better, and it's more in line with what you plan to do later, it may be worth doing even if it means less pay/fewer benefits.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
Not sure why peds ed would help your future goal of FNP. You will only take care of patients 13 and older as an FNP.

I.would jump at the chance for a VA job. The nurses I know who work for the VA are very happy. The pension alone is amazing.

Are you sure about that age? I have seen FNP take care of kids of all ages, well under 13.

Annie

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
Are you sure about that age? I have seen FNP take care of kids of all ages, well under 13.

Annie

My bad. I just looked it up. Looks like FNP is all ages. I was thinking of acute care np.

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I work for the VA and recommend it highly. They pretty much paid for my BSN and DNP

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Prehospital.

BWAC, I can't pm you, could i speak to you privately re: the Portland VA?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Prehospital.

BWAC, just tried to reply to your PM. Hope it gets to you. I saw yours come thru, so if you can't see my reply, can you email me a different address so we can chat outside of the restrictive AN environment?

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Yes, to what email would you like to communicate with

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