Negotiating Salary for a Military Vet

Nurses General Nursing

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Howdy all! New to the board, love the information I see, but throughout the internet I cannot find an answer to my question, so I figured I'd get the expert advice from ya'll.

In two years my contract with the USAF will be over, and I will be ready to move on to my life as an RN. Resume as follows:

Male

Associates Degree in Nursing

Associates Degree in Applied Health Sciences

Six years Military experience as a Medical Technician

-Have worked Family Practice, Ambulance Services, ICU, and ER

I'm set on moving to San Diego, or anywhere in California south of Vandenberg AFB. I'd love to be working Hospital, since that is my love. Travel nurse and Clinic doesn't really excite me.

Just wondering what you all think is a fair hourly rate that I can negotiate for with my previous experience. Thanks!:twocents:

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

can't help with a number, but as a fellow vet, it has been my experience that the only degree and experience that influences nursing pay is nursing itself.

good luck, and welcome back to the "real world"!:lol2:

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can't help with a number, but as a fellow vet, it has been my experience that the only degree and experience that influences nursing pay is nursing itself.

good luck, and welcome back to the "real world"!:lol2:

not a vet, but i agree. how much actual rn experience do you have?

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Not a vet, but I agree. How much actual RN experience do you have?

In my setting, I don't function as an RN per se - I don't carry the title. That's for officers.

However, we perform many if not all of the same capabilities - Feeding the pt, changing, catherization, administering medication under doctors orders, IV therapy, and even suturing.

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.
in my setting, i don't function as an rn per se - i don't carry the title. that's for officers.

however, we perform many if not all of the same capabilities - feeding the pt, changing, catherization, administering medication under doctors orders, iv therapy, and even suturing.

despite the rn degree, it appears as if you'll likely be seen as an experienced lpn and/or gn. :banghead:

have you considered the va, where they'll actually understand your experience and the military structure--and all your time in grade will count??

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despite the rn degree, it appears as if you'll likely be seen as an experienced lpn and/or gn. :banghead:

have you considered the va, where they'll actually understand your experience and the military structure--and all your time in grade will count??

negative, i really have had my fill of the military, and veteran affairs is pulling me back in.

ugh. i was enticed into the whole nursing program because, through the grapevine, i heard rns were making 80 - 90 k a year, 40 - 50 dollars an hour.

some of my research proved that.

but when i found this website and heard all these "horror" stories of only like 18 dollars an hour, my heart sank.

what can i expect in an area like that? 18? 30? 40?

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

i'd post this question on the state-specific forum (california) for better, more accurate numbers--but i do know that since san diego is one of the most costly places in the country to live, that the salaries are comensurately high!:typing

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i'd post this question on the state-specific forum (california) for better, more accurate numbers--but i do know that since san diego is one of the most costly places in the country to live, that the salaries are comensurately high!:typing

roger, i'll do that. thanks!

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I suspect that, outside of the military, you're going to find that the only "experience" that is going to count much toward negotiating RN salary is experience as a licensed RN. You mentioned in your OP that your "resume" includes an ADN -- are you currently licensed as an RN, or eligible for licensure as an RN?

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Specializes in OB.
Negative, I really have had my fill of the military, and Veteran Affairs is pulling me back in.

Ugh. I was enticed into the whole nursing program because, through the grapevine, I heard RNs were making 80 - 90 k a year, 40 - 50 dollars an hour.

Some of my research proved that.

But when I found this website and heard all these "horror" stories of only like 18 dollars an hour, my heart sank.

What can I expect in an area like that? 18? 30? 40?

As an alternative to the VA, you might want to consider other federal jobs in nursing, such as the Indian Health Service or a public health position. The federal jobs do give weighted advantage in hiring and promotion for military veterans (even in the civil service jobs) as well as some sort of credit toward time in service for retirement. You might want to peruse the Federal DOH jobs website. (And with the differentials, step raises, etc. as well as good benefits, it can be well paid- though nothing is as good as some of the stories you hear!)

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I wish I was making 40-50 dollars an hour. I only make 40 bucks an hour when I'm working overtime. Otherwise, I make 27.11 and I've had more than two years of experience in nursing. Maybe RNs make more working at VA hospitals.

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