Work for the State?

Nurses Career Support

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Hi Fellow Nurses,

I have interviewed for a position as a nurse surveyor for the state. I have been a nurse for well over 20 years and am looking for a job I will have (hopefully) until I retire (20 plus years). The pay is low, probably a good 15,000 less than what I could make in a different position. I am wondering if it will be worth it for job security and benefits. Anyone out there work for the state and if so what have you found to be pros/cons. Thank you for your time in advance.

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I have never worked for the state, but I have sat in front of nurse surveyors from the state:nailbiting: . Of course everyone dreads you, but you can make a huge difference for patients.

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I worked for several years as a surveyor for my state and CMS (all state surveyors are also contract surveyors for CMS). I used to joke that, when the nurses from the different divisions of the state agency met, we bonded over swapping tales of how big a pay cut we had taken to take the job (I took around a 25% pay cut from my previous clinical position). Yes, you get paid less, but, as you note, the state positions usually make up for that (more or less) by offering good benefits, job security/stability, generous leave policies, and "office hours" jobs.

I enjoyed the job while I had it; our agency was a good group of people, for the most part, and I felt respected, appreciated, and supported by the senior management of the organization (how often can you say that about a nursing job?? :)). I eventually left because of changes in the management of my division at work that negatively impacted my job, and changes in my personal life.

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Funny I am the least fearful person you would ever meet. If I take the job I will have to find my game face ;)

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Thank you for your reply. If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing now?

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Specializes in Med-surg, telemetry, oncology, rehab, LTC, ALF.
Funny I am the least fearful person you would ever meet. If I take the job I will have to find my game face ;)

My favorite state surveyors are the ones that aren't intimidating. In fact, of the group that just recently finished up survey at the facility I work for, only one of them appeared intimidating. The rest of them were very pleasant to work with and smiled frequently (probably to put staff members at ease since we had many newbies running around).

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Specializes in Med-surg, telemetry, oncology, rehab, LTC, ALF.

My aunt worked as a state surveyor. In fact, she is still working within that capacity and she is well into retirement age. She seems to enjoy her job and the many benefits that come with a state position.

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What benefits if you don't mind?

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I will be a year working as a surveyor in three months and I enjoy it.The training will take about a year close to your probation period .If you are physically not well with doing bedside care ,this will fit you.Mentally draining as you need to have investigative skills but generous training and learning provided.Also driving is like your partner here.in my mid 40's now and I think about retiring here.No weekends,holiday paid,generous leave benefits,8-5 working hrs.,I have a life after work..í ½í¸€í ½í¸€

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