Just accepted a VA Staff Psychologist position - is it bad to apply to another?

[MidWestLass]

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Hello SDN folks! I am finishing up my postdoc and accepted a Staff Psychologist position at my local VA. Since accepting, a new position opened up at a neighboring VA that offers EDRP (mine does not). Is it inadvisable to apply for the position that offers EDRP at this time? I really don't want to burn any bridges, but EDRP would help my finances a great deal. If it would be frowned upon, how long should I stay in my current position before applying to others that offer EDRP? It's really important to me that I don't sour any relationships and I also want to have financial security which EDRP would offer. Your thoughts are much appreciated!

 

[WisNeuro]

If you jump ship right away, it will probably burn bridges. The job posting, interviewing, hiring process is long and arduous in the VA. At this point, it's essentially keeping that position unfilled for more than a year. So, it wouldn't be great for them. So, if you ever wanted a job back at that VA in the foreseeable future, I'd probably write off that dream.

But, in the end, got to do what's right for you. Depends on the size of the loans, but if it wasn't that much, and I really liked the VA that I accepted a position with, I'd stay there. Kind of depends on how good the other job is, as you may be stuck there for a while.

 

[summerbabe]

I had pretty much this exact situation (minus EDRP) as I job hunted at the end of postdoc. The position that I ultimately took had not yet extended interviews while my first offer wanted a decision in 2 days (and it was not my first choice). It sucked for them when I reneged but it's also a crappy situation to be in as a trainee since you don't have the security of indefinite paid employment while you job hunt.

In my situation, the place that I reneged on is a not place I would likely look to for future employment so that made my decision easier.

I would definitely apply to the new position and see if you land an interview since EDRP is a big deal and there's no guarantee you'll find it in the future. And once you have a position with EDRP, you can potentially carry that EDRP to another VA position if that facility has EDRP funds left and the new position is EDRP eligible. You also might not be considered and it'll be a moot point.

Are you doing postdoc at the facility where you took the offer? It could be a bit tricky (but far from impossible) to go through the reference process if that's the case.

So, if you ever wanted a job back at that VA in the foreseeable future, I'd probably write off that dream.

I see these very much as YMMV situations. You might be applying to different hiring managers who might not know (or care) you backed out. Or if it's a facility with major access issues and trouble hiring/retaining staff, they could very well look beyond any past interactions. But places with lower turnover and/or significantly higher demand from job hunters or Chiefs of Psychology who hold grudges may be more challenging.

If it would be frowned upon, how long should I stay in my current position before applying to others that offer EDRP?

If you don't apply or aren't selected for the other option, just do what's best for you in the future. Look at USAJobs frequently. I left my first VA staff position after about 16 months for another VA position where I will stay much longer. I also know others who have left earlier. As long as somebody else is happy to hire you, I wouldn't worry about staying a fixed amount of time.

 

[CheetahGirl]

Hey...it's been done before. At my VA, we onboarded someone and as she was supposed to begin, she quit for another position. I got her job (as a postdoc) so all worked out in the end. Do what's best for you. They will find another Staff Psychologist.

 

[IWillSurvive]

Hey...it's been done before. At my VA, we onboarded someone and as she was supposed to begin, she quit for another position. I got her job (as a postdoc) so all worked out in the end. Do what's best for you. They will find another Staff Psychologist.

Totally agree with this....and the post above saying EDRP is a big deal and it can be a valid reason to go with another position if you decide that's more important to you. But I will say, I used to think EDRP was the end all/be all. I now have EDRP and realize the loans are going to be there but making it through 30 years of employment semi-pleasantly is more important (to me) than getting a chunk of loans forgiven. I used to balk at the idea that people would give up loan forgiveness for other life things but I get it now. It will all work out. I say go for what you will personally value most on a day to day basis. The thrill of EDRP fades but you have to go into that same workplace 40+ hours per week. You def want to like the work, the setting, and your coworkers as much as possible. And to be real, EDRP is provided for hard to fill positions. Be sure to consider why site A's positions aren't hard to fill but site B's are (i.e., geography, access issues, other things?).

 

[cara susanna]

I stayed at my last VA job less than a year (9-10 months I think?)

 

[deuce22]

Do what is best for you. EDRP is for positions that are hard to fill and/or to recruit and retain providers who might otherwise not be drawn to that location. For the position you've already accepted, if they were really struggling to fill it, EDRP would have been attached. They will figure it out.

 

[iliketohelppeople]

Got a VA offer and verbally accepted. Got a different and better offer a couple of months later (about a month and half before I was supposed to start at the VA); I called the VA person I was working with and informed them of my decision. They said, "We are sad that you will not be joining us, but always feel free to come back if you don't like your new job, we always need folks." That sentiment made me feel like I likely made a good decision...