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Discussion

When it rains, it pours.

I graduated in May of this year, but was unable to take boards for a few months since I was relocating across the country. I took (and passed) boards in August and have been licensed for about 2 months now.

I have been applying to for anything and everything that I remotely qualify for often without even getting a response. I went in to fill out an application at a home health agency last Monday and left after three interviews and a job offer. During the interviewing it was mentioned that they would like me to work there for a year since they didn't want to pay to train me and then have me jump ship. I agreed to that, but never actually signed an agreement.

Even though home health isn't where I see myself working in the long run I was ecstatic to have been offered a job especially since they wanted me to start immediately and the market for new grads is saturated. During my second day of orientation I received a handful of voice messages while out seeing patients with another nurse. I was called to set up interviews for two separate positions.

The interviews are for positions that I applied to in mid-August at our local VA hospital. The first is hiring four nurses, and the second is hiring three. As a veteran myself I would really like the opportunity to work at a VA hospital. With only two days of interviews to fill the positions I feel like I have a really good shot at either of the units since I interview well and it is my understanding that the VA likes to hire vets.

I feel terrible every time I talk to the nursing team leader since she seems to mention me working there a year during every conversation. She seems genuinely excited about me managing cases as soon as possible.

I had no intention of applying to other jobs since starting at the company, but this seems like an opportunity that I cannot pass up. The hospital jobs would be the best thing for both my career and my family, but I feel like I'm lying every time I talk with my manager.

Anyone have advice on how to handle this situation?

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    • Featured Replies

    Can you balance two full time jobs? Is home health 3-12s? Would they let you self-schedule?

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    It's great you have such a loyal attitude and truly care about the job you've taken on.

    Personally though I think it's best to do what's right for you and your family. I see no harm in going to interview if it's something that would really benefit you, after all if you don't get it then that is that.

    I'm sure your new boss won't be happy if you leave but there will always be another person to step up and take the job, so don't burden yourself down with guilt. If you stay you'll give your all I'm sure and if you leave, wish them the best and give them warning (AFTER you find you definately got the job elsewhere. Tell them the truth and say you applied there before this job and you received the job offer and it was too good to pass up for your family. That you appreciate everything they have done for you ect.)

    Working is a business, managers understand staff leave jobs for better ones whether for pay, worklife balance, closer commute ect.

    So do what's right for you. You only have one life, don't live with regrets.

    How I see it anyway ^.~

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    Go to the VA interviews..if you don't you will regret it. Even as a Vet getting hired into the VA takes months at the least so you have time. If/when the job opens up for you at the VA, just be honest w/your current employer - that you didn't expect this and as a Vet you prefer to work with other Vets and feel this is where you belong. I agree w/the above poster - you have one life - live it as you see right for you and not based on what someone else may think.

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    • Author

    Thanks for the advice.

    It would be near impossible to schedule both jobs at the same time. The VA jobs are supposed to be a mix of 8's and 12's, and the home health is however I schedule visits along with required grand rounds (bi-monthly), case conferences (PRN), and on-call days (one weekend a month).

    I went ahead and scheduled both interviews for the same day. I was informed that by both managers that they were in a time crunch, so hopefully I hear back from them sooner rather than later on their decision.

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    Hey from what I hear the VA interview process can take anywhere from 6-9 months. Soooo you may end up putting in close to a year anyway. Working there a year didn't mean you had to do it full-time... part-time is still employed. Don't burn your bridges either way.

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    The above poster is correct. I work at the VA and it takes months all the way up past a year to get hired in. the paperwork is outrageous, and background checks/references take them months to complete. you may be close to a year by the time all that is finished anyway.

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    The above poster is correct. I work at the VA and it takes months all the way up past a year to get hired in. the paperwork is outrageous, and background checks/references take them months to complete. you may be close to a year by the time all that is finished anyway.

    This would be awesome for you!

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    I haven't read through all the postings, so not sure if this has been mentioned, but... As a new grad I was advised against home health by a knowledgeable and experienced RN who runs a hospice program. Others on this site have mentioned concerns, too. The issue is that you are out there in the field with no one to turn to with questions or if something goes wrong that you're not ready to handle. Your license is potentially in jeopardy if you make a mistake by trying to handle something beyond your experience level.

    Don't mean to dissuade you, but just to caution...

    Good luck! If you take the home health job, just be very careful, make sure they train you adequately, and have backup available when needed!

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