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by nrsjo

Does anyone have any experience working in the VA system? I am thinking of making a change, and want to know the good, the bad and the ugly of working in a government run facility. Thanks...

[BORI-BSNRN]

Re: VA Nursing

Hello, I would like to know too...someone told me that it's a very busy facility, but that it's a privilege to work at VA cause of the benefits....Any post I will appreciate it, Thanks!

[NRSKarenRN]

Re: VA Nursing

Check out our Military Nursing and Other Government Employeed Nursing forum.

[snowfreeze]

Re: VA Nursing

Remember it is military oriented. If you are very independant and like to make changes...you might be disappointed. If you can easily follow set rules and really follow set rules, then consider this avenue. The benefits are awesome. It is a large system, so some aspects do present as quite sluggish. Due to the size and financial backing cutting edge medicine happens often, along with interesting maintenance approaches.
Good luck in your career

[traumaRUs]

Re: VA Nursing

I worked for the military in hospitals in Alaska (Ft Greely), Korea (121 Evac Hosp - made famous in MASH), and in the VA in Indianapolis. Loved every minute of it. I am a vet and the above poster did say it well - you have to be kinda of conformist.

[nrsjo]

Re: VA Nursing

Thanks for the information. I did figure it would be very rules oriented, and they would expect policy and procedure to be followed. But to be honest, after this many years in other facilities I've not worked anywhere where my opinion counts for anything. Administrators live in a fantasy world of healthcare, so if I can be someplace more interesting I welcome it.

[Hoozdo]

Re: VA Nursing

Originally Posted by nrsjo

Does anyone have any experience working in the VA system? I am thinking of making a change, and want to know the good, the bad and the ugly of working in a government run facility. Thanks...

Great place to work and great benefits. Nurses are entitled to 26 days of vacation (8 hour days) the first year. You are gauranteed 40 hours a week. As far as strict policy - I find that not to be the case. Nurses are encouraged to work on projects to enhance patient safety and procedures. The only bad or ugly thing is that after a nurse completes the probationary 2 year period, it is very difficult to fire them.

The nurses are unionized which I don't mind. Nurses are highly encouraged to continue with their education at the VA's expense. Doctor's are forbidden to treat nurses rudely or yell at them. The latest in equipment, research, and technology.......what's not to like?

[BadBird]

Re: VA Nursing

I work for the VA in Pittsburgh, it is the best nursing job I ever had. Pay is good, cost of living raises every year too. Staffing ratio is the best in the city, plenty of equipment and supplies, no more going from one room to another to find a pulse ox cable. They are paying for my BSN now. If I could turn back the clock 15 yrs. I would be making about 25,000. more than I am making now. I say run don't walk to the nearest VA. Good luck to you.

[mak2]

Re: VA Nursing

The Veterans Administration is NOT a military hospital. I have about 15 years in the system. I have worked at other hospitals and have posted on here about it before. Before I start I am a staff nurse in the ER at Indy. I said that becasue I might sound like a recuriter. I love working there. The down side is, if you have never worked for the government there will be things you have to get used to. At civilian hospitals it is always the money. At the VA it is not. Doctors are a thousad times eaiser to work with. If there is a disagreeemnt between nursing and medicine usually whoever is right wins, as oppesed to who makes the hospital money. Our autonomy is not compareable with any other hospital I have ever even been to. RNs get 5 weeks vacation the first year and 2.5 weeks sick time. I get 100 dollars per pay period jsut for working there. I make more than my wife who is a manager with a civilian system, and has more time there than I do at the VA. I was offered a job at a civilian hospital recently and the unit manager thought I would jump at the money. Trust me, VA pays well to veteran nurses. We have a form of clinical ladder, new nurses might make about what the civilian sector makes, but not for long. Well I am getting tired of listening to me go on about the VA, like anyplace there are drawbacks, but I just cant think of many with the VA system.