Any NP's a part of the US Public Health Service Corp

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in Retail Health.

Please share your work experience, ease in finding a government position, perks/incentives, pros/cons of membership, recommendations etc. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, ICU,clinic supervis case manager,.

hello there, at one point I worked for the va system, all the NP's seem to like it, very little turnover rate, good bennies, 5 weeks vac, 12 sick/personal days, 10 holidays, most NP'S worked in the firms-clinics, some work geriatric, mental health, no one appeared particularly stressed salary range from 65-109,000 MI ANN ARBOR, and DETROIT

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, ICU,clinic supervis case manager,.

Oh by the way they require ANCC cert

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Retail Health.

Cool, thanks for that reply. That is an awesome benefits package but it seems close to impossible to get a position in the VA system????

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You could always get your foot in the door as a contractor or doing locums work. I know several people that have gone that route as many of the VA's have hiring freezes right now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I joined the USPHS right after graduating from NP school and ran away screaming after I finished my 3 year obligation. It was horrendous. I worked for DIHS, which is immigration health services. It was a high-stress environment, as the NPs are expected to carry the workload. If the patients are very complicated, an MD is available to see them, but the main role of the MD at our facility (or medical director) was administrative work. The call was difficult, as it went on for a week at a time (so not much sleep for a week). The benefits are excellent, with plenty of leave time (in theory only, because we were always too short to take our leave), free medical, that sort of thing.

NOT worth it, from my standpoint. I wish it had been a better experience, but the pay and benefits were just not worth it.

Hope that helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Retail Health.

Wow, thanks for your insight! Did you receive the 20,000-25000 dollar nursing bonus? Did they pay off all of your student loans? Also, what did you end up getting into afterwards, if you don't mind me asking?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

(I changed my user name from barlowbar:)

Unfortunately, I was not eligible to receive any bonus because I had received a National Health Service Corps Scholarship. I had to serve 3 years to pay them back. After I left, I started working for a community health center, and am still here! Community health centers do qualify (most of them) for loan repayment, if you need loans paid off. It is a world of difference from working with USPHS, big time. The pay and benefits are not as good, but the autonomy, respect and freedom in your "off" time is worth much more to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Retail Health.

Ok, thanks alot for your input!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No problem and best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, ICU,clinic supervis case manager,.

What state are you in?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Retail Health.

Im in Texas

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment