Civilian nursing vs military nursing experiences

castlegates- does that go for all military facilities or are you just referring to VA hospitals? i am hoping to get into the air force and with no prior military background the whole situation and work schedule is daunting. just curious if your positive attitude is reflective of the military as a whole or just the VA.

I would disagree that the VA and AF nursing are anything alike. I have been loaned out and have done clinicals at the VA at two different locations. My personal opinion of the VA is that it is epitome of government bureaucracy with some of the laziest/ most unprofessional individuals any place I have ever worked. There are some great people that work at the VA, but they are by far the minority.

As a nurse in a VA you're title 38 which is the same as doctors.

It's the only system I know of that pays for your years of experience (no pay compression like private hospitals)... You can transfer anywhere and no private place has half the bennies. Not one....They give you on paper what you need to do for your next raise... Not based on if you got your head nurse coffee or brown nosed it but based on what further educated you get and what you do for the VA and for the staff. They DO promote from within. Nearly ALL my former VA coworkers are JD's, NP's, managers and doctors. Nearly ALL!