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?

 

[WisNeuro]

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.

I make much more than I did while in the VA, but I would have still left with a pay cut. The flexibility and not having to deal with the bs there would have more than made up for any differences in pay for me.

 

[Sanman]

I make much more than I did while in the VA, but I would have still left with a pay cut. The flexibility and not having to deal with the bs there would have more than made up for any differences in pay for me.

When you speak of flexibility, I assume you mean for solo PP. I did not find other employed positions to be that much less of a headache, to be frank. I loved the freedom as a contractor though.

Not sure working for private equity or other large hospital group is really any better than VA.

 

[WisNeuro]

When you speak of flexibility, I assume you mean for solo PP. I did not find other employed positions to be that much less of a headache, to be frank. I loved the freedom as a contractor though.

Not sure working for private equity or other large hospital group is really any better than VA.

May definitely be difference sin assessment vs. therapy for flexibility. But, after I left the VA, I worked in another hospital setting, still much more preferable than my past VA positions.

 

[ccpsych16]

I wouldn’t want to go anywhere if we were better staffed (not as badly/urgently anyway). Even 3 years ago we were staffed much better, still nowhere near full, and things were great. IMO, VA is going to become even harder to hire for in the future, so I don’t see this issue getting any better. Especially not at a CBOC which can be even harder to hire for depending on how desirable the area is vs main campus in a larger city.

EDIT: typos

 

[Sanman]

May definitely be difference sin assessment vs. therapy for flexibility. But, after I left the VA, I worked in another hospital setting, still much more preferable than my past VA positions.

It may be that or just individual employers/ hospitals with different attitudes. The only problem that really annoys me about VA vs private is the leave and time card processes. I have always found the private sector to be much more rvu focused and much less forgiving about things like commuting in bad weather.

 

[Sanman]

I wouldn’t want to go anywhere if we were better staffed (not as badly/urgently anyway). Even 3 years ago we were staffed much better, still nowhere near full, and things were great. IMO, VA is going to become even harder to hire for in the future, so I don’t see this issue getting any better. Especially not at a CBOC which can be even harder to hire for depending on how desirable the area is vs main campus in a larger city.

EDIT: typos

Depends on the CBOC. Sometimes it can be its own island while the main hospital is on fire. Less staffed but sometimes less busy or scrutinized.

 

[WisNeuro]

It may be that or just individual employers/ hospitals with different attitudes. The only problem that really annoys me about VA vs private is the leave and time card processes. I have always found the private sector to be much more rvu focused and much less forgiving about things like commuting in bad weather.

I imagine it varies quite a bit. I was still in the hospital system when we had our first. No problems whatsoever with calling in the morning of when I had to attend to a sick infant. In PP the flexibility makes that easier, though I only cancel legal work as a last resort, but I also don't schedule it for when I don't have backups in case something goes wrong at school/daycare.

 

[Sanman]

I imagine it varies quite a bit. I was still in the hospital system when we had our first. No problems whatsoever with calling in the morning of when I had to attend to a sick infant. In PP the flexibility makes that easier, though I only cancel legal work as a last resort, but I also don't schedule it for when I don't have backups in case something goes wrong at school/daycare.

Same for me with the VA and I have over 300 hrs of sick leave stacked up. I also got 3 mths paid paternity leave, which is not an option that I have seen elsewhere.

 

[WisNeuro]

Same for me with the VA and I have over 300 hrs of sick leave stacked up. I also got 3 mths paid paternity leave, which is not an option that I have seen elsewhere.

I'll give you that one, that's hard to find in the good ol US of A, though I also expect to see these things go away in the near future as they try to make the VA as dysfunctional as possible to push privatization.

 

[Sanman]

I'll give you that one, that's hard to find in the good ol US of A, though I also expect to see these things go away in the near future as they try to make the VA as dysfunctional as possible to push privatization.

Unfortunately, you are most likely correct. I had planned my departure for no later than 2027 due to the PACT Act expiring. I am still hanging onto remote status, so we shall see how it goes.