Re: VA Acute care Originally Posted by twokidsmom,rn 
HI
I have an interview with my local VA it is for the med surg floor but not intensive care. It is for nite shift full time everyother weekend. I currently work at a hospital that is over 45min from home 3nites a week on a med surg floor which the acuity is getting higher. THe VA is 10min from home. Not sure what to do, I also have started with Bayada one nite a week like that so far but less money. I do know a couple nurses that work at the VA they said it is very busy and have its good days and bad but that is everywhere, they did feel it would be less stressful than the hosp. ANy advise on how to make a decision would be helpful. I know I did not get offered the job yet but want to be ready IF I do get offered.
Thanks
I worked at a VA until I went on active duty this summer. The VA is a differnet ball game then working at most civilian hospitals. One of the biggest things is working for the Federal government. The benefits are better at the VA then most other hospitals, you start out with 25 days of vacation and 13 sick days per year. Almost every year there is a cost of living raise & depending on which step in the paygrade you are at dictates if you get another raise each year, every other year, or every 3 years based on your start date. The lower the step the more frequent the step increases are. The VA is one of the few hospitals that will pay you more for having your BSN vs ADN. When I completed my BSN the step/pay increase amounted to about $3.50/hr. As with everywhere there are good and bad points. One of the bad points is the hiring process is long.
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