[blueheaven]

I have been in the VA system for 4 years. There are many advantages (read some of the other posts) and perks. Besides the benefits, you can also relocate throughout the US if positions are available in the area you are going to. Many staff, middle management are getting close to retirement age now and opportunities for upper mobility are very good. If I can be of any help, please e-mail me.

Susan,
Nurse at the VA Spa

[saminde]

Thank you to everyone who responded! My husband is a federal employee and it would be great if we could both work for the same facility! I appreciate hearing about your experiences. As a new grad, it's difficult to sort through all of the options!

Thank you, again!

[AFnurse3]

Originally Posted by RNPATL

All branches of the military require a BSN (I believe - Military people help me out please). I am not sure what the age cut off is, but perhaps others reading tyhe thread can answer.

I believe of the AF, the cut off is 46 1/2.

[blueheaven]

Originally Posted by bluesky

I am very happy with my full time SICU position at WHC but I have always wanted to volunteer a shift a week or so at the VA because my father was a Vietnam vet. I think I tried calling just last Friday here in D.C. and the guy told me that they were overwhelmed with volunteers and that they didn't use nurses as volunteers. Do you know if there's any way around that? I don't think they'd hire me for just a shift a week or less, would they?

Bluesky,
Check with the nursing office at the DC VA and find out what agencies they use for staffing shortages. You can specify with the agency that you are only interested in picking up an extra shift or two at the VA. Once you get accustomed to the computer system they use, you should have no problem.

Blueheaven
Baltimore VA nurse

[bluecandi]

Thanks for all the responses and info. I did have some bits of my own research to offer. The reserves....not all but AirNG and ArmyNG will take ADN's but they must earn the BSN within 5 years. I am not aware of any active duty branch taking less than a BSN though.

I have one year left on a ADN program, then I am enrolling in the RN to BSN program so in 2 years if all goes well I will have a BSN. I am considering the AF reserves or AirNG in the meantime as I am on a scholarship and committed to work as an RN at my local hospital for 2 years after graduation. Plus hubby will be here for 3 more years in engineering school. He is currently AFreserve and prior AD AF so that is why I am considering the AF as well.
The ultimate goal is for both of us to go back to active duty with a commission.

I jsut hope they will accept me. As a kid my records had Chronic Otitis Media stamped all over them. I'm fine now but here's to hoping for a wavier but not holding my breath.

[wtbcrna]

Originally Posted by bluecandi

Thanks for all the responses and info. I did have some bits of my own research to offer. The reserves....not all but AirNG and ArmyNG will take ADN's but they must earn the BSN within 5 years. I am not aware of any active duty branch taking less than a BSN though.

I have one year left on a ADN program, then I am enrolling in the RN to BSN program so in 2 years if all goes well I will have a BSN. I am considering the AF reserves or AirNG in the meantime as I am on a scholarship and committed to work as an RN at my local hospital for 2 years after graduation. Plus hubby will be here for 3 more years in engineering school. He is currently AFreserve and prior AD AF so that is why I am considering the AF as well.
The ultimate goal is for both of us to go back to active duty with a commission.

I jsut hope they will accept me. As a kid my records had Chronic Otitis Media stamped all over them. I'm fine now but here's to hoping for a wavier but not holding my breath.

I don't think you will have any problem getting into the AF nurse corps as long as you can pass a hearing test. I would go ahead and start checking into getting into the AF reserves/ng now. It is kinda of slow process to get in.

Good Luck!

[bluecandi]

Thanks crna!!!!

[docavlee]

Being a military RN either in service or VA is very rewarding. I have been fortunate to do both. Currently I am an active duty military officer in the Navy working in the Labor and Delivery unit at Naval Hospital Pensacola.

The best part of being a military RN is the opportunity to work in an environment where professionalism is maintained. Respect is warranted from your active duty enlisted corpsman (equivalent to CNA's). Except in the military, Hospital Corpsman are CNA's on steroids so they have the capability to do as much as an RN or more. This really allows for more time to care for the patient. It is not similar to the civilian world where one has only time to treat their patient and document.

The best part of being a VA nurse is sharing in the experiences of EVERY patient. Each one has his/her "sea stories." These stories shared from retired military patients are unique in themselves. This has greatly enhanced my ability to establish a strong patient rapport with all patients.

Good luck with all your endeavors. Hopefully some of this helped. Any other questions, give be a buzz!

[jwBSN]

True!!!!!!! I have been with Veterans Affairs for 15 years in the ICU...In our city with 5 hospitals--we have the best staffing (all Rn's) in the ICU.., the newest equipment, 5 weeks vacation, 13 sick leave days, double time on the holidays...the list goes on and on! It is such an honor to serve the Veterans!!!

[minnielynn]

Originally Posted by va nurse

The V.A. has 5 grades for RN's from 1-5 with 13 steps in each grade. The salary range that I am quoting is for the area that I live in. Each area pay scale differs somewhat do to locality pay. Grade 01 step 01 in this area has a base pay rate of $39,110. The top is nurse 5, step 13 which has a base pay of $131,400.

Would you happen to know what the starting salary is for an LPN?
Thanks!