Accepted into the VA VALOR nursing residency program!!!

RNlovesherPharmD · Feb 23, 2011

I'm finishing my 3rd year right now and I was accepted into the VALOR program. I was active duty Air Force for 8 years so I'm familiar with the government's idea of health care.
Is anyone else in this program? It sounds so much better than the civilian hospital's nurse apprentice programs. I just hope I'm not going to be too stressed out caring for 6 of my own patients. The most I've had during clinicals is 3.
Any suggestions or tips for me as I go through the new employee hiring process? I had my employment blood work done today and have my physical on Monday.
I'd like to hear from others who are in the VALOR program or who know about it. I'm worried about not having a clue of what I'm doing. How do you figure out how to get organized to get everything done? That is my biggest fear. :uhoh21:

Hi there--

I was a VALOR student last May through this December. You should have no worries about getting organized, it's the gov and they will have all your paperwork, schedule, etc taken care of for you.

As for my experience, it was PRICELESS!!! I rotated through each of the units at our VAMC to get a feel for each of them (stayed at each about 2 weeks). All of the units were unique, but very friendly and let me do many clinical skills that you don't get to do as a nurse extern in many private hospitals. I got to assist in a surgery, start many IVs in the ER, and document a code.....

I finished my hours, and still got to take two vacations over the summer as our school semester didn't start until the end of August. I was paid $21.45/ hr. I was only able to work 8 hour shifts, however, during the summer.

Then after fiscal year, we were approved for more VALOR funding--and I got to go back to work when it was convenient for me Nov-Dec (when I graduated) and worked 12 hour shifts. I was then converted to a full-time position on the Med/Surg Tele unit in January. I didn't have to go through all of the hiring process again as I was just converted. I did have to go through orientation again though, because I now hold a license. I am now making $29/hour and was "boarded" as having a year experience because I was a VALOR student. GOOD LUCK!!!

Feel free to ask me anything else!!! :nurse:

RNlovesherPharmD · Feb 23, 2011

Does the VA give preference to veterans or military?

Yes, they do.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2011

Yup - so does all federal jobs... other preferences include spouses... certain 'conflicts' that you might have participated in while in the military... certain 'awards'. You can start an online profile at usajobs.gov and during the questionnaire you will see the preferences they give and their eligibility and points of preference given.

ashnicole227 · Mar 9, 2011

Can someone explain what the VALOR program actually is? Is it to give people who are still students the experience many jobs require? I saw someone say they made 21$ an hour- is this before getting your RN license? I looked at their website and also see a STEP and SCEP program. Just confused about what its all about. When can you apply? Do you have to be in a BSN program....bc I will be getting my RN-BSN online.

Thanks for any insight!

PS my hubby is active duty army, and thats why i was interested in VA jobs =)

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2011

VALOR is a paid summer nursing student externship opportunity. The precise requirements will come from the VA and your school (things like letters of rec, a nomination from your program director, and application that ended up being like 12 pages long).

To apply to VALOR, you need to be in a traditional (not accelerated) BSN PRELICENSURE (not RN to BSN) program at a currently (not applicant status) NLN or CCNE accredited school and have successfully completed MedSurg I, have a minimum GPA (3.0 I think)... basically you apply to work during the summer after your junior year, and they might extend you to work during your senior year.

RNlovesherPharmD · Mar 9, 2011

Can someone explain what the VALOR program actually is? Is it to give people who are still students the experience many jobs require? I saw someone say they made 21$ an hour- is this before getting your RN license? I looked at their website and also see a STEP and SCEP program. Just confused about what its all about. When can you apply? Do you have to be in a BSN program....bc I will be getting my RN-BSN online.
Thanks for any insight!
PS my hubby is active duty army, and thats why i was interested in VA jobs =)

Yes. You have to be a BSN student to apply for the VALOR program, Summit is right. ADNs aren't considered.

VegetasGRL03RN · Jul 10, 2011

Can someone explain what the VALOR program actually is? Is it to give people who are still students the experience many jobs require? I saw someone say they made 21$ an hour- is this before getting your RN license? I looked at their website and also see a STEP and SCEP program. Just confused about what its all about. When can you apply? Do you have to be in a BSN program....bc I will be getting my RN-BSN online.
Thanks for any insight!
PS my hubby is active duty army, and thats why i was interested in VA jobs =)

The STEP program allows students that are enrolled (usually at least half-time) the opportunity to earn income working at that particular VA facility. My experience? You must be matriculating at one of several schools that the medical center has an agreement with. Throught the fall and spring semesters, you must maintain your credit course load & culmulative GPA minimum and agree to work at least 15 hours a week. This program is limited by which school you attend, not your major (I have co-workers/students that are in accounting, music, african-american studies).

The SCEP program I am not extremely familiar with, but it is limited to your course of study, such as health administration (nursing NOT included in the major options). The big difference I am aware of for SCEP vs STEP is that with the SCEP program, after you graduate, your student position converts into a permanent position. The STEP program lists you as a temporary employee that must wait until open VA positions are publically available in order to apply.

tt2323, BSN · Jul 16, 2011

Former VALOR student here as well. Great opportunity and I got hired full time afterwards.

puravidaLV · Aug 13, 2011

The STEP program allows students that are enrolled (usually at least half-time) the opportunity to earn income working at that particular VA facility. My experience? You must be matriculating at one of several schools that the medical center has an agreement with. Throught the fall and spring semesters, you must maintain your credit course load & culmulative GPA minimum and agree to work at least 15 hours a week. This program is limited by which school you attend, not your major (I have co-workers/students that are in accounting, music, african-american studies).
The SCEP program I am not extremely familiar with, but it is limited to your course of study, such as health administration (nursing NOT included in the major options). The big difference I am aware of for SCEP vs STEP is that with the SCEP program, after you graduate, your student position converts into a permanent position. The STEP program lists you as a temporary employee that must wait until open VA positions are publically available in order to apply.

depending on how your program is set up you have to do 15 hours. I get a total of 800 hours clinical time right now with the program and the first 400 which i am finishing up is during my summer break, the next 400 will be after september when funding is reissued for the program. The second portion also will occur during school, yet I am only working one day a week and have till graduation to complete.

Not to bad of an experience so far. Being paid is nice too

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2011

puraVida, is your second 400 hours clinical or working more as a tech?

puravidaLV · Aug 15, 2011

not sure what your definition of a tech is, but clinical is what i just finished up.

jonesgeo · Feb 13, 2012

Hi puravida,

How has your experience at the VA been so far? What type of schedule do you have? I am interested in applying to the program here in ATL. Which VA are you working at and how did you find out about their program?