VA APRN Salaries

Specialties Government

Published

Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

I've trained quite a bit with the VA academically, and I really like the local VA hospital where an APRN position is soon to become available that I would have inside assistance with obtaining.

That being said, the salary seems to vary widely by location. The RNs seem to make a lot of money compared to other area RNs, but the APRNs (particularly in my field) seem like they only make about 70% of what they would in the private sector. Is this true? Is one able to negotiate? People talk about the excellent benefits with the VA, but I could make $40k+ a year at a nearby private hospital. Forty grand can buy a lot of "benefits," lol.

I've been told the VA might reimburse one for school, but how does that happen? There are a lot of factors at play here that I would like to learn about aside from hearing it from the horse's mouth.

Other things equal, I'd take the VA position over any other, but at this point I think I owe it to myself and family to take the highest paying position available. I want to payoff my graduate school loans within one year of obtaining an APRN position and pick back up living my life which we've put on hold for three years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment