Anyone using VA VOC Rehab...

Nurses Disabilities

Published

I was wondering if anyone on this forum is currently or has used the VA Vocational Rehab program to go through nursing school? I am in school for my RN and looking at becoming an advanced practiced nurse (apn). I need help with making a plan for my initial meeting with my VRC.

Have your disabilities limited you, when it came to making the initial goal with your Voc Rehab Counselor (VRC)?? Any information that can be given would be helpful.

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

You can try to get letters from NPs and have them state that they don't do that in their job description. That is what my counselor had me do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Irishluck,

I could use some Voc Rehab help. My counselor is not being very communicative with me and has said that I won't get approved for nursing school because "my disabilities are contraindicated to the clinical portion of nursing school." Got any advice on this? I asked the regional manager to get a new counselor, but he's worse at responding to emails and phone calls than my counselor is. Thank you in advance for any info you can share.

Jessica Flanagan

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Is anyone still using this thread? Im currently just now applying for voc rehab and im just wondering what my chances are of be8ng approved or if its just a lipe dream? I have a 50% disability ratimg and already habe my associates i just need to get my bsn. Also i have two letters of recommendation and i already work as a tech at a childrens er. I like to think i have my **** together and that i would be a great candidate but i just would like to hear more from anyone who recently applied/got approved. Thanks you can also email me at [email protected] thanks again

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, I was wondering what exactly should my doctor say in the medical report for the VA counselor. I have already talked to my doctor and he can not believe that he needs to provide such a document, when it is already evident that I can not continue in my current position( admin) with my current disability. A little about my background I work in an administration office where i have to sit down for 8 hours a day typing. I have service connected left knee and right hip disability,as well as a thoracic spine and thyroid problem. I have server arthritis. I.I need to be working somewhere where I have freedom to move about, i.e nursing or in a school setting. I have a masters degree and at first they said they world pay for me to go back to school, but when I sent them the enrollment document for a PHD program they cam back and said oh no, we will not pay for a phd and looking at your masters you already have the training you need for what our program offers. I was highly upset and asked to speak to the supervisor , so after 3 days I finally get to talk to her and she says we need a medical report from your doctor explaining how your current job is aggravating your disability. Any have any advice for me..?? by the way Im an overseas veteran.

Thanks,

Flustrated

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They straight up told me that I was not mentally stable because I can't work with men. Umm, I was sexually assaulted and I am going into midwifery...ALAS no men.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm being jerked around, also. applied for Nurse Practitioner, and the counselor is telling me I won't get approved for the BSN I need to get through to be eligible for NP school. Even though I'm halfway through my program and obviously i'm able to attend clinical without exasperating my injuries. and I know nurses who work in wheel chairs. It's as if these counselors have never heard of the Americans with Disabilities act or something.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

apply! As long as you can back up that you can't find work using your associates degree. It's better to apply and get denied, and then appeal, then to have never applied at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

I know this topic is kinda dead but I'm dragging it back to the top. I've got my first appointment with the counselor tomorrow. I applied and was accepted two years ago but then got a job with a VA which satisfies the program.

fast forward and the unit I am working in was changed from an infirmary to a level 3 mental health unit with no training in mental health. My PTSD symptoms which were under control are back from the stress of dealing with such high acuity behavioral issues, and my migraines and IBS are flaring up to where I'm missing tons of work from the stress and I've been diagnosed with really bad hypertension.

I was was hired back before the VA required CNA licensing but now that they do, I can't apply for jobs outside my unit because I don't meet the qualifications. I'm trying to convince the VRC that my job is unsuitable employment and help pay for the BSN program I start Thursday.

hopefully he agrees that my current position is unsuitable and gaining licensure as an RN will give me more flexibility and time off as a title 38 employee. I guess I'll see tomorrow!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

I had 11 months of Post 9/11 GI bill left, got approved for the entirety of my BSN program to be paid for by Chapter 31. Beyond stoked.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Great Post, I have my first meeting with my VA counselor coming up next week. I picked the School but want to be prepared for the meeting so that I have enough ammunition to be accepted. What should I go in with?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

Big thing to consider: is your service connection related to any musculoskeletal injuries? Your counselor won't likely approve nursing as a rehabilitation goal if you've got a bad back or knees.

It was also easier to get approved with an acceptance letter. My counselor said he's reluctant to approve nursing programs because most of the veterans couldn't get accepted after completing prereqs.

Things you will want to bring with you to your meeting next week:

  • Current resume
  • College transcripts
  • College acceptance letter (if you have one)
  • Take and print the results of the O*Net interest test located: O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move
  • O*Net and bls.gov information for three jobs you are interested in (I picked MD, PA, BSN, which were supported by my O*Net aptitude results -- I wanted RN and was already accepted to a BSN program, so I made my other choices fantastical and unrealistic, so the nursing program looked most cost effective than my other goals from the counselors POV)
  • Local job listings for those jobs (at least 3 for each)
  • Schools nearby that offer those programs, and the entry requirements of each

Be prepared to watch an hour or so long video and to take several aptitude and logic tests. Good luck!

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
UPDATE: Hey all. Long time, no talk. Proud to say that chapter 31 Voc Rehab has paid 24 months of my education so far. I have my Associates and am working on my BSN. I'm applying to grad school now, so I'll be more involved on the forum if anyone has questions.

I was seated in a BSN program and was wondering if I could get some information from you guys about how you used your Chapter 31? I currently am using my Chap 33 for a community college to finish my nursing program pre-reqs this semester

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment