I'm a nursing manager, great job, who is thinking of going to the VA.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

I'm an Army vet who worked at the VA, before I moved to another state.

I am working for an organization with great benefits and pay, and a huge opportunity for advancement. However, I feel the call to care for and help all the vets who are returning from the wars that gwb started and can't finish.

I could make a difference in the lives of these vets as well as the vets who served in Vietnam, Korea, WWII and possibly WWI (I worked at a VA hospital in the late 80's and cared for WWI vets).

I am seriously contemplating this move. I would bring experience that could really support the care of our vets and, as a nurse who managed a large clinic, could bring organizational skills, as well.

It's comfort vs. difficulty.

It's also, commitment to my current company (which I love and appreciate for its ethical approach to patient care) vs. pain and heartbreak associated with fighting for too few resources for too many patients, yet knowing I'm fighting the good fight and making a difference.

I'd love to hear my fellow DU'ers on the pros and cons of this move. BTW, my husband (Vietnam era vet) supports me in whatever I decide to do. MKJ

[Captain Hilts]

1. Check to see if salaries in your profession ...

are up to local standards.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. Thanks, great point.

I'm taking time off next week and will be checking into this. I appreciate the info. MKJ

[Captain Hilts]

3. In areas with a lot of military...

where there often are VA facilities, you'll be competing with retired military personnel who will work cheaper. Or in the South where there are Right to Work states, same thing.

I like your attitude and the reasons you want to help our troops. I've done a bit of volunteer work at Bethesda Naval.

My brother had a very good experience with VA medical treatment in Florida.

Best of luck.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

7. Excellent input from DU'ers, as usual. It's calling vs. security, and I

must admit that I'm struggling with the decision.

Your posts are so helpful in presenting a truly objective view, based on your current experiences.

Thanks again. MKJ

:yourock:

[CC]

4. Check to see that

the VA will still have a job for you 6 mos, or a year down the road. They are laying off people around here and subcontracting. Have you thought about volunteering at the VA instead? Many of the vets could use visitors more than anything. We have a group that takes their dogs in at least once a week. Those that don't want to talk still like the dogs, others like the dogs and talk. (And some of us have taken our kids too) Something to think about instead of giving up a job you like.

[Eloriel]

5. My advice is to

find some other way to help the vets. You will NEVER be happy or satisfied or supported in this political climate working directly for the VA.

However, I'm sure there are many, many, many ways you can be of direct help to individual vets and vets as a group using your talents. Think about it. You could keep your current job and use some of your free time to develop something, or perhaps find something already going on organization-wise where you can be of help.

Also, pls. check your PMs (in a minute).

I'm sorry, but I just can't think that any reasonably competent, caring individual wouldn't get so freakin' burned out working in this climate that they would rue the day they ever thought about working for the VA.

Another thing you could do is go interview some folks actually working at one.

[salin]

6. then again,

sometimes there is a certain level of self-fulfillment that is hard to quantify - out of doing something that one knows can make a real difference, a human difference, in others lives.

For many years of my working life I have worked far under market value (wages wise and benefits wise), in a field that many find great burnout (working with urban youth) - but for me - the value of being able to be in a space where my work can, and does, make a huge difference - somehow gives me the reslience that lets me survive, what gives other people burnout.

Believe me, in many different types of work I could never do the work and not suffer burnout. I am not a "special" person. But for me, I get such energy - that is hard to describe - that it fuels me in a way that other work could not do. But were I to be doing different work, I would not get that energy.

If this work, can give one some intangible energy, then one should seriously consider doing it, even if on the face of it the work seems thankless. I wouldn't dismiss the work out of hand. Nor would I recommend it. Serious self-searching time - think worse conditions - AND the best emotional benefits (eg the energy to which I refer) and where, realistically, does the balance fall?

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

9. I completely understand the intangible rewards of a vocation and

having been in nursing for many years, I know that the rewards are often not fiscal, but emotional.

I will continue to investigate this change in career and thanks to all for your well thought out suggestions. MKJ

[CAG]

8. I work at a VA, and love it....

it is a calling: not only do you serve patients, but you serve patients who once stood in front of bullets for you.

I struggle with the budget constraints just like everyone else, but what am I supposed to do, walk away? And exactly what health care managed care area can I work in that doesn't have fiscal issues??

Next year's budget is bleak because this administration continues to spend all of our tax revenues on military activities that have nothing to do about the war on terror, er, I mean, struggle against extremism. When I have to confront physicians who wonder why VA managers have to make the tough decisions about restricting nutritional supplements and adult diapers, I'm just simply going to start resorting to "go call your congressman," because that's who is ultimately making the decision by shortchanging our veterans.