VA Nurse Salary

pfchang · May 7, 2015

I think in some facilities RNs can work .9 FTE which is 72 hrs and still retain full benefits. Check with your union. I don't think all facilities are doing it but it may have been a response to private sector where, for many, 72 hrs is full-time.

icunurseforlife · May 7, 2015

Ok.....what?
Private sector hospital RNs who work 8 hour shifts (I should say, get paid for 8 hour shifts, as they are usually scheduled for 8.5 hours to compensate for lunch) work 80 hours in two weeks. Those who work 12's will either work 72 in two weeks or 80 if they have a facility that likes scheduling an additional 12 every other week to make it up to 80. Same as VA. A private sector facility can determine 72 hours is full time, or make it 80 for the purposes of determining benefits, but they are only being paid for what they are working. Same as VA.
Whatever a private sector nurse works, schedule-wise, he/she STILL only gets XX amount of PTO. If a VA nurse works the SAME schedule.....he/she gets a shade over 5 weeks AL, 10 Fed holidays, umptyfive SL days, etc.
How do you figure they are working less hours but being paid for more hours?
Actually, your post reminded me of a joke email that used to go around, something like "oh, so you want to request a day off? Well, let's see... there are XX hours in a day, you spend XX time at work, but XX time for lunch...XX time for coffee breaks...XX time asleep...XX time on vacation..etc etc....(and the "math" worked out to exactly ONE day a year the employee worked)....so I'll be danged if you're going to take that one day off!!"

I am *not* saying private sector RNs are being paid more.

What I am saying here is IF you are a VA nurse who works 12 hour shifts, and 80 hours in a two week pay period, you earn 8 hours of vacation. 8 hours x 26 weeks is 208 hours of vacation time.

In the private sector, most nurses who work 12 hour shifts *ONLY* work 72 hours. This is 8 hours less than a VA nurse works (at least in the few VAs I've worked in and several other VAs my colleagues have worked in).

SO- it is a facade that the VA has *AMAZING* vacation benefits. We work an extra 8 hours per pay period (8 hours worked x 26 weeks = 208 hours). We get 8 hours of vacation time per pay period (8 hours vacation time x 26 weeks = 208 hours). Therefore these two cancel each other out.

Yes, we get in general more holiday pay than private sector. And yes, we earn approximately 2.5 weeks of sick time per year. BUT, our extra hours worked and our vacation hours earned, cancel each other out.

Hopefully that makes more sense. :)

icunurseforlife · May 7, 2015

We found information in the VA Handbook 5011 version 2012 that notes the 72/80 work schedule being possible... Called an alternative work schedule. Our VA however, makes people fill out a "request for part time" form to drop their 8 hour shift. We just find it very disconcerting. Thanks for your input... We have been communicating with the union but the answers are not readily being given.

Do you know of any particular VA that has the 72 hour work schedule?

Thanks again! :)

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 7, 2015

I am *not* saying private sector RNs are being paid more.
What I am saying here is IF you are a VA nurse who works 12 hour shifts, and 80 hours in a two week pay period, you earn 8 hours of vacation. 8 hours x 26 weeks is 208 hours of vacation time.
In the private sector, most nurses who work 12 hour shifts *ONLY* work 72 hours. This is 8 hours less than a VA nurse works (at least in the few VAs I've worked in and several other VAs my colleagues have worked in).
SO- it is a facade that the VA has *AMAZING* vacation benefits. We work an extra 8 hours per pay period (8 hours worked x 26 weeks = 208 hours). We get 8 hours of vacation time per pay period (8 hours vacation time x 26 weeks = 208 hours). Therefore these two cancel each other out.
Yes, we get in general more holiday pay than private sector. And yes, we earn approximately 2.5 weeks of sick time per year. BUT, our extra hours worked and our vacation hours earned, cancel each other out.
Hopefully that makes more sense. :)

Ok, I understand now, thanks for clarifying! I see what you're saying. I guess I'm thinking that those who work 8 hour shifts in EITHER location (gov't or private) are being paid for the shifts they work, except the VA nurses are getting significantly more PTO. If you're doing 12's in either location, then I see what you mean about the "extra" work. But of course BOTH are getting paid for each hour they work, the VA nurse would be paid for 80 hours versus the private being paid for 72 hours; the only difference is that the 72 hour nurse qualifies for full-time benefits like the 80-hr nurses do.

Those that have it the best, time-off-wise, would be the VA nurses working 8's: full time benes, lots of PTO, and less time at work. Assuming, of course, they aren't as interested in earning the pay that goes along with that additional 4 hours of work each week.

Have to say, having worked 8's and 12's, I now prefer my 8's AND getting A LOT more PTO than I have ever had before!! Even if I am working more hours than when I did 12's, heck, I AM being paid for that time, so.....win/win

I think that some love it, some not so much, but at least it's a solid job when the job market isn't so solid. As long as you don't do anything that would be fireable, LOL, you still have the Union protection so you're not stuck with the "at will" situation in much of the community hospitals. As in HR "wills" you to vacate your position in favor of someone cheaper

PMFB-RN, RN · May 7, 2015

Speaking only for the one VA I know about here. A 0.9 FTE (six, 12 hours shifts, 72 hours / 2 weeks) are considered full time employees for all purposed except holiday pay. 1.0 FTE's (80 hours / 2 weeks) get 12 hours holiday pay for every holiday, work it or not. 0.9 and less only get holiday pay if they work that holiday.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · May 10, 2015

Ok, I understand now, thanks for clarifying! I see what you're saying. I guess I'm thinking that those who work 8 hour shifts in EITHER location (gov't or private) are being paid for the shifts they work, except the VA nurses are getting significantly more PTO. If you're doing 12's in either location, then I see what you mean about the "extra" work. But of course BOTH are getting paid for each hour they work, the VA nurse would be paid for 80 hours versus the private being paid for 72 hours; the only difference is that the 72 hour nurse qualifies for full-time benefits like the 80-hr nurses do.
Those that have it the best, time-off-wise, would be the VA nurses working 8's: full time benes, lots of PTO, and less time at work. Assuming, of course, they aren't as interested in earning the pay that goes along with that additional 4 hours of work each week.
Have to say, having worked 8's and 12's, I now prefer my 8's AND getting A LOT more PTO than I have ever had before!! Even if I am working more hours than when I did 12's, heck, I AM being paid for that time, so.....win/win
I think that some love it, some not so much, but at least it's a solid job when the job market isn't so solid. As long as you don't do anything that would be fireable, LOL, you still have the Union protection so you're not stuck with the "at will" situation in much of the community hospitals. As in HR "wills" you to vacate your position in favor of someone cheaper

Not sure what you mean by 8 hour shifts would give you more PTO then those working 12 hour shifts. If your hours add up to the same you will still be getting the same amount off. All VA nurse's who work 80 hours every 2 weeks get 8 hours of vacation per pay period.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 11, 2015

Not sure what you mean by 8 hour shifts would give you more PTO then those working 12 hour shifts. If your hours add up to the same you will still be getting the same amount off. All VA nurse's who work 80 hours every 2 weeks get 8 hours of vacation per pay period.

You've misunderstood, I was referring to working 8's OUTSIDE of VA, which is what the person I was responding to was comparing to.

When I said "I now prefer my 8's AND getting A LOT more PTO than I have ever had before!!" I was referring to the private sector compared with VA. I DO get a lot more PTO than I have ever had before. But as I already said, 8-hour and 12-hour employees within VA all earn the same PTO; those working fewer hours in a 2-week period earn less overall as they work fewer hours, overall. Those who work the same hours....there you go.

The PP's primary concern was having to literally work more hours (in VA as compared to private) in order to qualify for those extra weeks of PTO (also comparing a 12-hour employee with a 8-hour employee).

Pairofshues · Jun 5, 2015

I'm at a HCA hospital in Nevada and am relocating and starting at the KC VA hospital next month. I have a few questions:

How long do you have to stay in your current position before you can transfer to another department at the same VA hospital?

Is that an easy process or is daunting like the initial hiring process?

Then how does moving to a different VA hospital work?

Does the VA offer tuition assistance for obtaining your Master's degree? (think it's called NNEI) and how does that work?

How does holiday pay work and is it double time or time and a half? I am scheduled to work 12 hour nights

Thanks for all your help in advance! :)

And for those who are wondering about how the pay at the Kansas City VA compares to other local private hospitals - it is better - several dollars more an hour better! I was surprised :)

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2015

I'm at a HCA hospital in Nevada and am relocating and starting at the KC VA hospital next month. I have a few questions:
How long do you have to stay in your current position before you can transfer to another department at the same VA hospital?
Is that an easy process or is daunting like the initial hiring process?
Then how does moving to a different VA hospital work?
Does the VA offer tuition assistance for obtaining your Master's degree? (think it's called NNEI) and how does that work?
How does holiday pay work and is it double time or time and a half? I am scheduled to work 12 hour nights
Thanks for all your help in advance! :)
And for those who are wondering about how the pay at the Kansas City VA compares to other local private hospitals - it is better - several dollars more an hour better! I was surprised :)

Wow, lots of questions! Maybe I can combine some for quicker answers

It's up to each facility as to how long they might expect you to stay in one spot before being considered for a move to a different unit. Whenever you want to change to a different unit, or a different facility entirely, it's not so much a "transfer" as it is you are applying for a new job. You AREN'T jumping through as many hoops as your credentialing is done already, resume on file, etc, BUT you cannot move to another position without applying for it the same way as everyone else, having an interview, etc.

The biggest misconception, I think, about VA is that "you can move anywhere in the country where there's a VA and have a job". Sort of. If you are in New York and want to move to Texas, for instance, you have to see what jobs are available (posted USAjobs.gov) and apply. You cannot request to transfer your current job to another facility; they don't create positions for you. You have to fill an open one.

Sometimes it's a pretty easy transition, as a spot you want happens to be available. Sometimes, I've seen people wait years to relocate because either spots weren't open, or they weren't chosen for those positions. You still have to be the candidate that the hiring manager wants, in the end.

As for the pay situation, it's based on competition in the region, and locality pay. Federal gov't isn't allowed to be the highest-paying employer in a given region, but they can pay as much as the top one. Much depends on the Union, too. If you are being paid XX dollars at one facility, but the pay is higher for the very same job in another, it's because the going rate is higher in that other region.

If you are receiving a locality pay (additional money for working in an area recognized to have a higher COL than other areas), you don't take that with you to a new position that doesn't have the same locality pay, or any at all.

VA offers scholarships to RNs who are pursuing higher education; it varies by facility how much will be endorsed and how many are given out. Your local facility determines what the need is for that facility, and recommends accordingly. For the most part, approval isn't very difficult, BUT there are hoops galore :) Please read the fine print CAREFULLY and be sure you know what you're getting into when you submit that application for scholarship; it most definitely comes with strings and conditions. That said, I know MANY who have gotten higher degrees without having incurred any expense on their part. Just have to know what it all is about, is all.

Holiday pay.....not sure on that. I never work them in my position. No doubt that can be answered pretty easily, though :)

Good luck!

Pairofshues · Jun 10, 2015

Thank you !!!

jcnurse47 · Jun 24, 2015

Thanks to everyone for all the posts, for it has been helpful since I just applied for a Assistant Manager Nurse position at the VA hospital in NC.

My question is: Looking at the at the pay scale table for VA pay, I am having difficulty understand what the pay would be for level 2 or level 3. Under Nurse grade 1, they have a "3" under level 2, and a "5" under level 3, what does this mean?

I interviewed last Friday for this position and not sure what my chances are. I do have an ADN, which I am assuming is acceptable for this position or they would have not interviewed me. Does anyone have an idea what my grade, level, step would be. I have an ADN , RN for 6 yrs, and have 2+ years with experience with this particular position.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 27, 2015

Thanks to everyone for all the posts, for it has been helpful since I just applied for a Assistant Manager Nurse position at the VA hospital in NC.
My question is: Looking at the at the pay scale table for VA pay, I am having difficulty understand what the pay would be for level 2 or level 3. Under Nurse grade 1, they have a "3" under level 2, and a "5" under level 3, what does this mean?
I interviewed last Friday for this position and not sure what my chances are. I do have an ADN, which I am assuming is acceptable for this position or they would have not interviewed me. Does anyone have an idea what my grade, level, step would be. I have an ADN , RN for 6 yrs, and have 2+ years with experience with this particular position.
Any feedback would be appreciated!

Only nurse I has grades. So for nurse I there is nurse I, grade 1, 2, or 3 AND your step level. Think of step level as your years of experience. The more years you have the higher your step will be. Plus once you are hired it's normal to get a step increase automatically every other year. You can also get step increases for things like moving to a higher level of acuity unit, taking a more challenging job, outstanding performance (as measured by the VA).

There is not pay difference between the Nurse I grades 1, 2 and 3.

If you are a Nurse I, you must get to grade 3 before you can be promoted to nurse II. Given your experience I would expect you to be hired at a Nurse I, grade 3, step 5 to 7.

To be promoted to Nurse II you must have either a bachelors or higher degree in nursing, or an education waiver. It varied drastically between facilities as to how difficult it is to get the waiver.

When (if) you are promoted to nurse II you will move to Nurse II, step whatever provides you with the smallest possible raise. You won't go down in pay, like if you are a nurse I, step 12 and you get promoted to Nurse II you won't start at Nurse II step 1. You will start at whatever step provided you with the smallest raise. For example in Minneapolis VA (I have their pay scale in front of me) a Nurse I, grade 3, step 12 who got promoted to nurse II would be nurse II step 4.

I know its confusing and I hope I have explained it well enough. Am happy to answer any more questions that I can.

Here is a link to the Minneapolis VA RN pay scales. You will notice that ANM have their own pay scale that is slightly higher than staff RN pay scale.

http://www.afge3669.org/documents/Locality_Pay_Schedules-618.pdf

In addition to requiring a nursing degree or a education waiver you must also be preformed at a Nurse II level. Usually this is defined as having an impact beyond just your own patients. Usually nurses do some sort of project, like provide education to the unit as part of getting promoted.