[DLHRNUSAF]

Retired Captain 25years (Enlisted first then comissioned, 8 active and rest Air Guard) USAF Nurse seeking infor on ideas on working for the goverment again. I joined the Air Guard with a AD, I had my time so I was put out, because I did not have my BSN. I have been out about 7 years now, but have experince with 20 years at my job now(MICU, CCU, Telemetry, Med/Surg, Medical Rehab). Make about about $27 hours working nights. Looking for a change. I live in West Virginia. Want to change, off nights. The nearsest VA Hospital is in Huntington WV. Will they hire me with a AD? What is it like? Fedreal Prison Nearest is Askland Kentucky. What is it like. Posibilty working as a civilian nurse for the military? Can I do this and where would I start. Maybe with homeland defense are there any ideas from you. Email contacts and web sites to look at would be helpful. Thinking about traveling also maybe to a military base, do they hire travelers? Thanks in advance for your help.

[traumaRUs]

First - thanks for your service. Second - I enjoyed the VA experience. However, I do think they require BSN to get hired nowadays. Anyone else with input? Have you considered furthering your education. You have loads of experience and would be an asset to any hospital!

[BadBird]

I have my ADN and the VA hired me less than a year ago, I plan on getting my BSN and the VA will pay for it. I guess the easiest way to get started is to call the VA that you want to work at and ask for Human Resource Nurse Recruiter, believe me, they want you. Good luck. There is a website but I find it is not up to date.

[RNPATL]

Originally Posted by traumaRUs

First - thanks for your service. Second - I enjoyed the VA experience. However, I do think they require BSN to get hired nowadays. Anyone else with input? Have you considered furthering your education. You have loads of experience and would be an asset to any hospital!

According to the VAMC - they are currently under an initiaitive to ensure that all their RN's are BSN prepared by 2008. Current ADN's working with the VA are grandfathered, but the VA will not consider ADN prepared graduates after that date. Of course, I will believe it when I see it, but apparently they are serious about this. In addition, the VA is paying for many of their ADN nurses to obtain their BSN.

I guess this line of thought is consistent with branches of the armed forces where only a BSN is considered for officer training. Not sure how this is going to work with the VA though.