Anyone have experience as an RN with the VA PACT

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I have a tentative offer with a local VA hospital as an RN for their patient aligned care team (PACT). I am in the process of getting boarded right now. I am wondering if anyone has worked in this position and if so do you like it? It is a Monday through Friday position with hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm. I have worked in an office setting before and wondered if you usually get out on time and is it comparable to a physician office outside of the VA system? Thank you.

Thank you so much! I I used to work at the VA and tried private for a year and I really miss the VA so I have accepted a role as an RN for PACT. In terms of hands on aspect do you give injections, ekgs? What's that part like? Thank you!!! So far sounds like a great fit for me!

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.
Thank you so much! I I used to work at the VA and tried private for a year and I really miss the VA so I have accepted a role as an RN for PACT. In terms of hands on aspect do you give injections, ekgs? What's that part like? Thank you!!! So far sounds like a great fit for me!

You triage patients so hands on with all your patients according to whatever they are coming in for...I seldom do injections...no ekgs, if they need that they are going to the ED if symptomatic, otherwise they can have a consult to cardiology, you may take pictures of wounds and dress them. If you ever worked in the ED then think of triage, it is like that!

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Thank you so much for the response! I have a better picture of the role! Sounds like a great job for an RN! Do they have some sort of orientation with another PACT RN?

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

They do...mine was short since I am familiar with the VA...I did a week and then off on my own...the other RNs I have seen get several weeks orientation!

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Has anyone else started this position yet? I will be starting soon and would love to hear more updated details and tips on how to manage things... Thanks!

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Specializes in Preoperative and PACU; Med/Surg; ED; Home Health.

Very intriguing!

Any updates from new hires a few years ago?

Any further descriptions to share?

Favorite aspect of job?

Least fave?

Any recommendations for YOUR deciding factors to switch from private to federal? And completing the 9 dimensions of nursing?

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On 5/5/2016 at 8:49 PM, Camwill said:

Your role as a pact nurse is very complex and kind of hard to answer...you are a case manager and a leader with your Dr. I work in a pact team and my Dr called me the heart of the team today. I coordinate with everyone in our team including our veterans. My day usually starts with seeing walk ins, trouble shooting any problem with schedule or anything else that may come up, answering secure messages, and alerts. The rest of the day is continuing to see walk ins, working on dashboard, cans, pac, and case management of diabetic, hypertension, wound care, and several other cases. This is not always the order and there is more but I love the experience. Please ask any other questions you may have.

Hello. Is this job a desk job with a lot of typing? I got hired as a VA pact nurse too but am worried I have to sit down and type a lot. ?

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