Anyone using VA VOC Rehab...

Kapteezy21 · May 20, 2014

At your first appointment you will most likely do a skills survey to see what career field matches your skills. What is your end goal? What do you want to do in nursing?

I have already been accepted to graduate school this fall to become a Clinical Nurse Leader, so that is my end goal

offthedome · Jul 25, 2014

Yes I did! I haven't applied to Voc Rehab yet, because I'm still unsure about the process. I would really like to know how you got approve for a MS program so early? I won't have job experience until I graduate, so I don't know if the VA will approve since I'll have some sort of job

DiamondDoula · Oct 2, 2014

I just applied for VocRehab today. I was MEB'd for PTSD at 30% back in 2006. I've wanted to be a nurse since I got out of the military, but being married to it as well we ended up in Germany. I am just now getting to school. I've learned that I was messed around my first year of college and there for basically wasted a year of my GI Bill on classes I did not need. I am now nearing the end of my Post 9/11 but probably have two years of school left. I am hoping that they will cover it. I am a little worried as we are due to PCS (final one, yay for hubby retiring) and how that will effect my ability to be awarded VocRehab.

ShondaJ · Oct 2, 2014

Well if you PCS in the middle of schooling it may present A little delay for you because Voc Rehab is contracted with the school you are attending but you can transfer.

I was attending Community College when I started my Voc Rehab and transferred to a University to finish my degree sooner. I had the same Case Manager though because I was in the same area.

As far as you PCSing, you might want to ask if you will keep the same Case Manager or will they change it. Those are questions you want to find out in case you PCS out of the state to another state. Ask questions so that it won't interfere with your education.

Good Luck and Congrats on Hubby's Upcoming Retirement.

DiamondDoula · Oct 3, 2014

I will keep that in mind. I know we will be moving out of state. Alabama just does not do it for us. I miss having 4 seasons. The plan is to move up between Maryland and Virginia and there is a good midwifery school up there. This part of military life is nerve wrecking.

ShondaJ · Oct 3, 2014

Yes it is nerve wrecking for real. Always have to stop and start.

txsjohnny · Nov 13, 2014

I was accepted to go back to school by VA Voc Rehab, Winston-Salem, NC but she would NOT approve me for a nursing degree & told me she would approve me for a Medical Assistant degree. WTFrack? Nothing against MA's, but I want to be a nurse practitioner so I can help my brother and sister Veterans and my community. I could never make it on a MA's salary! Plus, being a 52 yr old, white male, I doubt many doctor's offices would even consider hiring me as a medical assistant. Most of them want perky, young females running around their clinics. I am sorry if my views appear sexist, but I used to work as a non-certified medical assistant and the doctor and office manager did not like that I had my own mind and was not constantly cowering at their feet but suggesting how to make the office run better and more efficient. They fired me. So what do I do now? I feel like if I tell my counselor I do not want to pursue a degree in medical assisting that she will just boot me out of the system. She told me that due to my PTSD (rated 80%) she does not think I could handle the stress of working as a nurse! I have been working in hospitals as a health tech for almost 14 years now and most of that in the ER and Oncology! Talk about stress! I am at a loss and am depressed, feeling dejected again by the VA and their cronies.

RNnotdunn · Jan 20, 2015

Hello. I am new to the forum. I have a quick question. I apologize if it has been answered, but I'd greatly appreciate your input.

If I am 100% P&T does that disqualify me from using Chap 31/voc rehab?

Camwill, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, LPN, APRN, NP · Feb 1, 2015

No it does not disqualify you. I know a friend who receives it that is 100% the only problem you will have is whether you can pick the degree you want. You have to prove that the degree you get wont hurt your disability.

RNnotdunn · Feb 1, 2015

Thank you Camwill.... Are you currently enrolled in the program??? I have my initial appointment coming up and very nervous... Not quite sure what to expect... Please PM if you have any suggestions...

Camwill, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, LPN, APRN, NP · Feb 4, 2015

I am currently in the program. My suggestion would be to be prepared with the school you want to go to, why you want to do this, why the profession will not cause further injury to your disabilities. I had letters from nurses that had disabilities similar to mine and how they deal with it. It you have any questions let me know?

jessica.rhods · Feb 19, 2015

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in a BSN program right now and I'm about 99% certain my vocational rehab counselor is going to deny me for retraining to become an NP due to my rating and the type of injuries I have. I need to find safety policies from hospitals (I'm in Ca) that have wording like "nurses aren't supposed to lift more than 35lbs without a mechanical lift" or "nurses have to call the lift team to lift heavy patients". something like that. some policy or something in writing that I can provide to my counselor to support the fact that getting through nursing school and becoming a nurse practitioner won't aggravate my injuries. Does anyone out there know where I can find anything like this online? or which department of the hospital I should call and ask for it? Will they even provide something like that to someone who's not an employee??

And I guess I need to start working on my appeal as well. Who did you go to for help for your appeal process? Thanks in advance!