Have you worked at the VA while in NP school?

[IfnotnowWhen]

Hello all,

I am an emergency room nurse currently about to start an FNP-DNP program in Chicago.

I currently work for the Veteran's Administration and am wondering what VA programs others have used while in NP school.

For some background. I will be using Post-911 GI bill benefits to pay for grad school. I do not require funding from my hospital.

The catch is others who receive funding through the VA for school (VANEEP etc) get preferential schedules, and have to sign contracts to work for the VA for X amount of years after graduation.

I just wish there was a way for me to sign a contract. That way the VA lets me have the full time pay while attending school and then retains me afterwards. Seems like a win-win considering they won't have to pay for the education.

Just wondering if anyone out there has a similar situation. Have you made any arrangement with the VA outside of their traditional scholarship programs? Especially if you are willing to continue working there and do not require their funds or school?

Thank you for the input

[twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN]

I'm also attending school while working at the VA. The catch with the programs your peers are contracted to is that they owe three times the amount of the scholarship if they don't perform adequately in school. The good thing is that while they are obligated to work for the VA after graduation the VA is also obligated to provide a job for them.