Need help finding Title 38 pay schedules? I stumbled across this today for anyone who needs it: Title 38 Pay Schedules

If you know your VA's station number you can look up the pay scale in the first section or you can look up the state in the section below.

Grade 01 = Nurse I

Grade 02 = Nurse II and so on

Nurse I, Level 2 pay starts at Step 03 and Level 3 starts at Step 05.

As a new grad with a BSN, I started as a Nurse I, Level 2, Step 05.

Hope this helps!

Specializes in Research.
Nurse330 said:

Hello All, 

I received a call from the hiring manager of the VA in Rockford IL that she would like to direct hire me for a RN care manager position. I have 7 years of nursing experience. Most of my experience is case management/ clinic related. Do you think it would be reasonable to start at Nurse II? most of the job descriptions say BSN with 2-3 years experience will start at Nurse II which is equivalent to grade 2? 

Excel pay scale uploaded. Under Rockford thinking at least first pay scale for grade 2?

IL (18).xls

I think it is definitely possible you could start at Nurse/Grade 2, but I don't think it is guaranteed. 

Is there a job listing for the position? I ask because sometimes on those it will list the Grade on the payscale that the job falls under (but not the Step which is determined later by the review board based on your experience and how well you selled yourself in your application).

Also, in case you don't know, the VA is notorious for being slow when it comes to the hiring process. From the time I found out I got the job to  the I got the formal offer (after the review board determined what my pay would be) was several months. 

Does the VA offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit? I can't find anything online.

HM3-2-BSN said:
Does the VA offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit? I can't find anything online.

Scholarship $ for continuing education for nurses is offered, but there are hoops ?

Each VAMC approves or disapproves each application for scholarship; nothing is guaranteed. While it's true that many have started with an ADN at VA and gone on for BSN, MSN, even DNP on VA's dime, that isn't true of all. Some are not approved; much depends on the needs of the facility, competition in the region, and the big one: available funds.

If you are selected for reimbursement, the specifics of how much they will pay and for what duration of time is spelled out in the agreement between you and VA. If for any reason you don't complete the program (get the degree), you will owe VA $$$. Likewise if you finish the degree but don't stay the agreed-upon time afterward; varies from 1-3 years. And if you fail to hold up your end of the agreement....expect to pay 3x the cost of the actual expense as a penalty.

Short answer is "YES". Longer answer is "yes...mostly....sometimes....make darned sure you really wanna do it" ?

Pairofshues said:
I have a question about the Nurse Locality Pay Schedule (Title 38 Pay Schedules - Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)) what does the number under Level 2 or Level 3 mean?

Example if you go to the link, click on Nurse Locality Pay Schedule, click Texas, the first line is Houston Registered Nurse,

what does the '3' under level 2 or the '5' under the level 3 mean?

Thanks for the info!

I took a look, and while I can't be sure, my GUESS is that it's the number of positions for that level that the facility has (or had) open at the time of the posting? I really don't know...it's not the total number of positions, as that's obviously too small, but....maybe it was current only at that time?

I'm sorry, I don't know. VA has its own mysteries that we keep trying to figure out, even when WORKING there!

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

It is also on the VA intranet.

Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele.

Is there a set shift diff $ or % for VA Nurses or does the differential differ among VA facilities / locations?

I had heard it was 10% night diff and 25% weekend diff...is this correct?

Also does all the VA hospitals use the same computer and EMAR charting system? If so what program is it?

Thanks for the info!

Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele.

Thanks jeckrn!!

I noticed you said 2nd and 3rd shift, so do the nurses in the hospital setting work 8 hour shifts or is it 12 hour shifts?

....I will be on a med/surg/tele floor at the dallas VA hospital.

What would I start out as a BSN new grad in a Tampa VA hospital? I can't find any clear figures online and am a bit confused about the pay scale. I also have 5 points for prior military service...does this affect the pay? How did they determine the steps? Thanks for any help!

Thanks!

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
pfchang said:
Every VA determines your initial offer differently. There is no consistency from one facility to another. There is no pay increase for prior military service. Military service gets you points in the interview and selection process but not in salary determination.

It can get you some seniority, it all depends on the VA a d what you did in the service.

Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

Did you have your BSN the whole time? Or did you get it recently? They may not 'count' ADN time.

I just got an offer this week for the VA Travel Nurse Corps. I'm a 5 year, RN, BSN, veteran. Nurse II Step Three at $75,900.

I did just get my BSN, but I've been an RN for over 7 years and an LPN for 1.5 years prior to that. Being told that I am Grade I, Level 3, Step 7. Also, the pay range for current positions is $53,493-$101,188. When I applied, the starting salary was around $50,700 but they've been on a hiring freeze for quite some time now. Considering what the starting salary is though, it still seems like a very low offer considering I'm boarded at less than $3,000 more than a new grad w/ an ADN gets.

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