VA Mental Health Provider Venting / Problem-solving / Peer Support Thread

[ccpsych16]

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Got the final numbers for the non-VA job and trying to decide if my sanity is worth a $40,000 pay cut. It’s not even a bad salary for a very early career psychologist. But it feels bad coming from an inflated salary.

 

[psy.d. 2021]

Got the final numbers for the non-VA job and trying to decide if my sanity is worth a $40,000 pay cut. It’s not even a bad salary for a very early career psychologist. But it feels bad coming from an inflated salary.

I have no idea about your personal situation but probably not. Especially since the non VA job is likely not going to be without its own headaches although doubtfully nothing like VA

 

[ccpsych16]

I have no idea about your personal situation but probably not. Especially since the non VA job is likely not going to be without its own headaches although doubtfully nothing like VA

I know you’re right, though the idea of an escape from this hell is strongly appealing. I’ve cold messaged about 6 different staff (some psychologists, some not) who currently or formerly worked there and they were very transparent about work life and salary. The biggest plus for me career wise is that they focus on a specific disorder/group of disorders that I want to specialize in and VA does not offer treatment for in a formalized way. And they are a well known and regarded organization within that niche.

I’ll give the weekend to think about whether I want to move forward with the final interview. And probably reach out to some former mentors for their advice.

 

[psy.d. 2021]

I know you’re right, though the idea of an escape from this hell is strongly appealing. I’ve cold messaged about 6 different staff (some psychologists, some not) who currently or formerly worked there and they were very transparent about work life and salary. The biggest plus for me career wise is that they focus on a specific disorder/group of disorders that I want to specialize in and VA does not offer treatment for in a formalized way. And they are a well known and regarded organization within that niche.

I’ll give the weekend to think about whether I want to move forward with the final interview. And probably reach out to some former mentors for their advice.

If you're hoping to gain skills on treatment for a specific disorder and pivot to PP after a year or so....could be worth it because you could make up the lost money. Highly dependent on that, if you can financially deal with a 40k pay cut and as we discussed how much you value your sanity.

Personally, I'm not going to leave VA until I find something that compensates me the same or more. I've received offers for similar salaries but counting benefits as well as Edrp (big amount for me) VA has them beat by a considerable margin. It'll be an easier decision for me if I'm still working at VA when EDRP is done for me.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Got the final numbers for the non-VA job and trying to decide if my sanity is worth a $40,000 pay cut. It’s not even a bad salary for a very early career psychologist. But it feels bad coming from an inflated salary.

I struggled to leave the VA for a $40-50k pay increase tbh. I really loved working for the VA. Also, I’m curious about the salary numbers—could you PM me?