Help me pick between two jobs! I'm a physician assistant.?

Question

I currently work at a pain clinic making good money and get health and dental insurance. I drive 1 hr and 40 min. on Monday and they put me in a hotel room on Mon. and Tues night. After I'm done on Wednesday I'm done for the week (total of 24 hours). I've been offered a job at VA hospital (40 hours week/5 days week) for a little more money but of course the benefits and security are better and it's in my own town. Plus of course you retire in 20 years with a government job. What would you do? Any other health care people with an opinion?

Answer 1

As a PA, personally, I would find the VA job far more challenging and advanced educational from a medical standpoint--you will learn & see & do much more than at the narrow focus of a pain clinic.  That is in addition to the reduced commute time & federal benefits. If you decide to move on from either job, the VA job experience will be far more valuable & marketable than the pain clinic. However--this is all about YOU--what works for you in the long run.

Answer 2

Well this is an easy one for me as I am a nurse and getting along in years lol

I would take the VA position, just think in 20 years you will get a pension and i think paid for Medical/Dental for life? i think

not sure how old you are my quess in 20 years you would still be young you could get a part time job to suplement what the Gov gives you and maybe you could pursue something you always wanted to do

but maybe it did not pay as well ??

  Physican's Asst is great career, and really can't think what the big decision is here for you, seems simple to me, but I am not you

you must really like your current job..

Also the VA has more paid holidays than any employer I ever have worked for as I check out a job there at one time in San Diego but at the time the only open positon was in the nursing home part.

but as i recall the Bene's are great

Good Luck and in the end only you know what is best for you and your family etc.

Answer 3

The VA is a great job for one reason: You get federal retirement insurance when you retire. This is much cheaper insurance for your family that state or other insurance plans after you retire. Downfall, as a physicians assistant, you will do most of the work and put up with a lot of c**p. But, it should be steady hours, good benefits, and steady pay. Hopefully less driving too. LOL Anyways, the main point is that if you take the job you are ready to put up with c**p from docs that do nothing but run their mouth. People who are gripey a lot. etc...

Answer 4

While I would agree for the most part with the benefits being an advantage at the VA hospital, you haven't said what type position it is at the VA Hospital.

Of course it would be great to be home, and have nice benefits and a good salary, but if you hate the job, it is a bad move.  If you enjoy working with the pain patients, and that is important to you, then that must also be a consideration.

There is also the fact that currently you have 4 day weekends which I am sure you enjoy.  This may be important if your family is free to be with you, but may be less important if you are sitting at home for the 2 days.

Each of us has our own needs in life, and only you can decide which of these positions meets your needs best.

Whichever you choose, good luck with your career.

Incidentally, I have always preferred working with pain issues, so I am biased.