traveling with the VA

Jul 13, 2008 10:19 PM

by vikichck

Hello all,

I wanted to see if anyone has had experience with this type of traveling. I am planning to work for the VA my first year after graduation. After that I was planning on traveling. The VA does have Travel nurse corps but they only have 2 sites and they are Phoenix and San Diego. I live in Phoenix currently and have been to San Diego many times so that doesn't help much. What I recently found out is that some nurses get temporary relocation positions in the VA.
What I'm wondering is... How long do you have to stay at the location before moving again? Also I'm worried the places I'm wanting to travel to (Hawaii,NYC) won't have any openings. Maybe they do if it's just a temporary position?

I know these are very specific questions but I still wanted to see if anyone has experienced or heard something about this.

Thanks!

surething1 · Jul 13, 2008, 11:55 PM

Re: traveling with the VA

From what I understand the VA travel corps is new and it is still in its beginning phase. It will gradually grow larger in scope.

I am really interestred in hearing some replies as well.

Maybe u should post the question in the Military/VA forum also.

Since u will be working there soon keep us updated as well to what u find out. Thanks.

travelinjones · Jul 16, 2008, 12:13 PM

Re: traveling with the VA

I wrote to the VA regarding their travel nurse and this is the reply I received:

The VA Travel Nurse Corps (TNC) is currently hiring RN's for staff positions at the Phoenix and San Diego VA medical centers. These positions are temporary intermittent appointments which have a per hour salary with shift differentials and overtime if required. We also offer full federal travel benefits which include travel, lodging, per diem and incidentals while on assignment for the city in which you are working.

The pay is based on a salary schedule for the VA TNC. That schedule is only for the southwest region. We will have different salary schedules when we expand to other areas of the country. VA nurses go through a boarding process which established their grade and step, which then establishes their salary. It is based on the individual's education and experience. That sets a per hour rate. VA also pays 10% differential for night and evening shifts; 25% for weekend shifts; a combination of the two for 35% and overtime after 8 hours. Salary is separate from the travel benefits.

At this time, please note that the appointments are only temporary intermittent. In that way, we are like the travel nurse industry with 13 week assignments. At this time, we are working with each nurse and facility on the length of the assignments. We can go a little longer or a little shorter if needed. With only two sites (Phoenix and San Diego), we can not keep a nurse fully employed until we have more sites established. The temporary appointments do not have any benefits.
If there are any changes to the program, they will be posted on our website at www.travelnurse.va.gov. We know that we have nurses out there that want to travel, but still need their benefits. We assist our nurse applicants with an online application process which creates an application form and at the same time, completes the credentialing portion of the application process.

(I deleted bits that pertained directly to me, but included all of the general info in the email) Hope this helps....

redsnapper3333 · Jul 16, 2008, 01:15 PM

Re: traveling with the VA

Hi. You Are Very Lucky To Travel Within The Veterans Administration. I Myself Am Going To Prescott, Az Next Week. I Am Not Sure If This Is Your First Assignment Or Not, But Just To Be Able To Work With The Veterans Is A Priviledge, They Have So Many Stories And There Are So Many Strong People That Need Our Help...be All You Can Be With These Pateints...a Smile A Touch Great Care...and You Will Be Rewarded...

vikichck · Jul 18, 2008, 10:32 PM

Re: traveling with the VA

Thanks travelinjones. It's nice they pay a differential. I haven't heard of hospitals paying differential for travel nurses. I hope this goes really well for the VA and they decide to open many more locations. I'll try to be patient till then.

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traveling with the VA

traveling with the VA

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