questions for DOD civilian nurses

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2009

i am currently a dod civilian. with military conflicts ending around the world, i need to have a back up plan. there has been some talk of down sizing at the base where i work. it took me a long time to get this job and i don't want to leave civil service unless i really have to. i have always had an interest in nursing and really can't see myself at desk job (which is the next progression in my current career) if i can get into nursing school now, i am in a really good position to finish rather quickly. i have a few questions for anyone who is a dod civilian working at a military hospital, or va hospital.
1. is the culture the same as a civilian hospital? is it better or worse?
va's are more political then civilian hospitals and can take longer to make needed changes. but on the plus side they are usually staffed & equipted better. the overall care i believe is better, you do not have as much pressure about the budget since the budget for inpatient care is based on the number of veterans in your service area vs daily census. never had call offs at the va i worked for no matter what the census was.
2. what's your schedule like?
8 & 12's, was hard to get it changed from straight 8's to 4-6 12's & 1-4 8's per 2 week payperiod. some va's have been working 12 hour shifts for along time. just depends on the faciliaty
3. is it hard for a new grad to get in or transfer from another branch?
dont know
4. what's the pay like?
pay is lower for new nurses but as time goes on you end up making more then civilian nurses. you can depend on step raises as in the pay scale & yearly cola raises. as you know some civilian hospitals have frozen wages and not giving out any raises this year & have cut benefits. the va pays bsn's much better then its adn's so it is worthwhile to get your bsn if you have a adn. in the va as a rn you start out with 25 days of vacation & 13 sick days a year. you have a wide choice of health insurance options.
5. do you get to go overseas?
no, but there is a va in guam.
thanks to everyone who answers

sorry but i can not answer any question about a dod hospital. since you already work for the dod why don't you make an appointment with chief nurse etc. to find out what it is like to work there.

daisymae0 · Sep 20, 2009

that's a good idea jeckrn, i'll have to look into that

NrsintheFam · Sep 20, 2009

I don't have any personal experiences w/ the VA (not even a nurse yet). But my mom used to work for a VA hospital as an RN, and she really really really misses it and wished she lived near one. She keeps telling me if my fam and I move to the tampa area (after graduating), I better work for the VA hospital over there...lmao!!

hopeful_army_NP · Sep 21, 2009

I am currently a DOD civilian. With military conflicts ending around the world, I need to have a back up plan. There has been some talk of down sizing at the base where I work. It took me a long time to get this job and I don't want to leave civil service unless I really have to. I have always had an interest in nursing and really can't see myself at desk job (which is the next progression in my current career) If I can get into nursing school now, I am in a really good position to finish rather quickly. I have a few questions for anyone who is a DOD civilian working at a military hospital, or VA hospital.
1. Is the culture the same as a civilian hospital? Is it better or worse?
2. What's your schedule like?5. Do you get to go overseas?
3. Is it hard for a new grad to get in or transfer from another branch?
4. What's the pay like?
Thanks to everyone who answers

I don't go Active Duty until next year, but hopefully someone who is can help you, the answers you received so far are based on VA only, I highlted the military hospital in your original question so others will respond. I believe the repsonses will vary whether it's VA vs. Military hospital. Best wishes!