Veterans Admin. Travel Nurse Program

FarawaySoClose, BSN, DNP, RN · May 19, 2009

You might also try this question on the Government and Military Nursing Board. I'm a bit curious about the answers to your questions myself

HeavensNurse · May 19, 2009

I'd also love to hear more, if anyone finds out any details. I know the program is still up and running. I met an RN over the winter who was going for it, but I have lost touch with her. I hear their benefits are awesome!!! PLEASE KEEP US UP TO DATE... Thanks!

SargeRN · May 20, 2009

I contacted them a few months back and forwarded a resume with copies of all my certs/license etc. Being a Retired US Army E-7, went to Nursing School after I retired. Figured being retired military, and all that time in the medical field, plus working as a street EMT-I before nursing school, and now 15 years as a RN, they'd at least want to TALK to me.

NOT A WORD, Not a PEEP, no return E-mail, Nothing, Nada, zip, zilch!!!! And like I said this was 4-5 months or more ago!!

Sarge

techraider77, ADN, BSN · May 20, 2009

They told me they want a years worth of nursing experience. I know its still a pilot program, possibly on a hiring freeze like other places are during these economic times.

vikichck · May 20, 2009

Hello,

I'm assuming you mean the VA travel corps? They did a pilot with San Diego and Phoenix. I believe recently it has been expanded to anywhere in the US. I currently work for the VA and have heard a lot of employees going to work all over the US. You do need 1 year experience as an RN. What I have been hearing is the benefits are different, they don't offer insurance and they don't count the time towards retirement. I could be wrong so try contacting the office to find out more information. :)

sjsch · May 24, 2009

i wrote to the va regarding their travel nurse and this is the reply i received: this info may be old news by now...it has been a while...but here is a link just in case:

www.travelnurse.va.gov

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....

HeavensNurse · May 24, 2009

I am truly SHOCKED that the VA would not have any benefits.... I hope they change that. Afterall, in today's society WHO CAN LIVE WITHOUT health insurance? SHEESH!