2 job offers... now what???

Hello everyone! I have a dilemma and would like some feedback and/or opinions...

Currently, I work for a health system undergoing some major changes in the services we provide. In a nutshell, we are combining services between hospitals to save money. In my present position, I work as a staff nurse on a short stay unit. My background is primarily oncology/hematology/BMT (with a little outpatient surgery). Because there has been a major decline in our census, I have been job searching to avoid being laid off. The future of the entire health system is not clear, but it will definitely last in some form or another.

I have 2 job offers on the table and am completely stuck on which to take. I know the choice is ultimately my decision, but I do value the insight of others.

Job A is with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in my area on an inpatient medicine/liver transplant/oncology unit. The pay is very competitive, great benefits, 5 weeks of vacation, and free parking. I would have to rotate all shifts and work every other weekend. This position is 80 hours per pay and there is flexibility in scheduling, but I would be required to work some 12-hour shifts. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:4-5 on day shift and 1:6 on night shift with no guarantee of a nurse assistant.

Job B is with a large oncology practice with the system (12 offices) across 5 counties, and I would be floating between to oncology offices. This is a salary position for 80 hours per pay regardless of hours worked and would be what I currently make. The benefits are pretty good, 3 weeks of vacation, and parking is $50/month (on-site). It is Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, no weekends or holidays. I would be primarly administering chemotherapy. Everyone was super super nice at the interview and at both sites. The two offices are within 8 miles of my house.

Where I work now, I work Monday through Friday, 5 8's or 2 8's and 2 12's. No weekends or holidays. All outpatient and give a lot of chemotherapy and IV infusions.

I am sure the answer is obvious, but I am really in a bind... PLEASE HELP ME!!!
I would take the job with the VA.

I woul take job B. Best of luck with your decision!

You know, it's really not obvious. It looks like you have two really excellent offers.My personal bias is the VA position. Federal jobs are the bomb (I have one.) You will not get better benefits anywhere, or more vacation. The thing is your schedule is not going to be anywhere near as awesome as your outpatient schedule will be and it sounds like the specialty of the unit isn't quite what you are used to. I didn't look and see how old you were, but if you are looking for a health system that is going to set you up with a good salary, retirement, and potentially a very long career, the VA is awesome. There is a lot less of this system redesign/consolidate/liquidate/lay-off business happening in the government sector. It is a very, very stable job, which may or may not mean a lot to you.

I don't know that the answer is obvious, but the next question that seems to be is:What kind of LIFE do you want to have?Consider how each option might affect your health and well being, your relationships, and your financial goals.

Job A is with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in my area on an inpatient medicine/liver transplant/oncology unit. The pay is very competitive, great benefits, 5 weeks of vacation, and free parking. I would have to rotate all shifts and work every other weekend. This position is 80 hours per pay and there is flexibility in scheduling, but I would be required to work some 12-hour shifts. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:4-5 on day shift and 1:6 on night shift with no guarantee of a nurse assistant.

Quote from grandmawrinkleYou know, it's really not obvious. It looks like you have two really excellent offers.My personal bias is the VA position. Federal jobs are the bomb (I have one.) You will not get better benefits anywhere, or more vacation. The thing is your schedule is not going to be anywhere near as awesome as your outpatient schedule will be and it sounds like the specialty of the unit isn't quite what you are used to.

VA for all the reasons listed above.

I'll go for the VA job!

VA for sure, I will add this perspective that I have noticed with many posts involving multible job offers to a few nurses. I wonder how reading these posts affects the hundreds of nurses out there that cannot even obtain an interview and ready to give up on the whole nursing idea? Quite depressing to read about nurse so and so asking a question that should be common sense along with her own decision. just my 2 cents,

Take Job A-with the VA Hospital.....except of course if you abhor working week-ends.

Quote from rntim49VA for sure, I will add this perspective that I have noticed with many posts involving multible job offers to a few nurses. I wonder how reading these posts affects the hundreds of nurses out there that cannot even obtain an interview and ready to give up on the whole nursing idea? Quite depressing to read about nurse so and so asking a question that should be common sense along with her own decision. just my 2 cents,

Quote from rntim49VA for sure, I will add this perspective that I have noticed with many posts involving multible job offers to a few nurses. I wonder how reading these posts affects the hundreds of nurses out there that cannot even obtain an interview and ready to give up on the whole nursing idea? Quite depressing to read about nurse so and so asking a question that should be common sense along with her own decision. just my 2 cents,