I interviewed today and was offered one of six resident positions. I lost it. The panel laughed and said my reaction was the best one so far. ?
I was asked nine questions. They were along the lines of "Tell me about yourself; How will you contribute to VA care; Flexibility and describe a time when it was required; Career goals; Rate yourself 0 - 10 in the following aspects, etc.". I was sweating the whole time, but displayed a cool (I think) exterior.
It starts towards the end of September, so plenty of time for me to go over all my material from school and beef up my knowledge so I don't look like a total dunce.
I will periodically update this thread with all my trials and tribulations for those who are interested in applying for a spot in the future and want to know what the year will look like.
Hey guys! IDK if anyone still in on this forum or not, but I am currently applying to a couple of the VA residencies listed in this thread and I wanted to ask a few questions if possible! I have applied to the North Florida and the Orlando VA as well as a random Nashville VA. I am looking forward to hearing back from the programs and starting!
I just found this thread! I'm about to start my Primary care residency next week. Safe to say I'm excited and also freaking out. For those who have completed it, have you landed jobs within the VA system? Would love to hear any feedback from previous residents 🙂
Hello! Found this thread via a search. Hoping there are still folks around willing and able to discuss!
I'm in my last semester of my FNP program and absolutely love with the idea of a nurse practitioner residency program! I'm looking into the Portland, OR VA primary care residency. Looking ahead, I'm nervous that the stipend may not be enough to cover my household expenses even with the most stringent budgeting (I'm the sole income in our household). Silly question, but is this stipend taxed? If so, is it taxed in the same fashion as a salary/hourly wages? The average RN salary in OR before taxes is $98k, but the VA stipend offered in $83k. Other NP positions in the Portland area start around $130k, but they're not all open to new grads. I'm not looking for or even expecting a massive pay increase as a new grad NP, but I want to be able to pay my mortgage and other bills. 😅
During my residency, one person left the program because they did not like it.
If they had to leave for emergency reasons, maybe there would've been an option to return at the next cycle.
Yes, I was offered a job but I declined. I just didn't want to work in that department and it was nothing else open. You must network alot to know whats available, all jobs arent posted. Also, It was 3 people in my program. One left due to family issues, and was given the option to return next year. The other left because it wasnt for her anymore about 6 weeks before the end of the program.
Thank you so much, when did you complete the program? I am six months in however there aren't any jobs available, I was told to explore other options early on the program. But ultimately, I am leaving due to medical reasons and would like to prioritize in growing a family. Thank you so much for the insight. maybe I can go back as an NP once I have gotten more experience.
I finished in 9/2023. A young lady in the class behind me found a job in outpatient neurology but she was a nurse at the VA and knew how to network. She and her cohorts were denied a job on the unit we were on because the Chief MD didn't like NPs and he made it known. Even when I was there, thats part of the reason I didn't want the job being a novice to the VA system.
I finished in 2023. I was offered a job early on and have been working there since 8/23. That being said 8/25 is when my probationary period is over so I'm crawling to that finish line with all these RIFs right now. The VA isn't what it was even a few years ago. I have a feeling it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. I'll leave it at that. I don't really know if I would recommend taking a job here right now with all the uncertainty to be honest. If you are in the residency, best to take that experience and use it to apply on the outside. It's still a valuable experience. All of the people in my group got jobs and are all still working there as of now. There's already been a push to do more with less and I already work 10-12 hour days plus at least one day of the weekend 6-8 hours every week. I mostly cover all of my sick time and leave time which the exception of maybe 7 days/year. The money is good but I would be happy, I think, making less and having less stress and really working less hours. It's always something.
I have yet to learn, I guess, is that just being a NP or being a NP in primary care at the VA? Because this is all I know. Besides school and I even did school rotations here. My plan was to have my career here. It's all I wanted to do. But I'm burnt out and it's not even been 2 full years yet (plus residency so 3 I guess) plus everywhere online and IRL hates us. The VA sucks and we don't do anything right. It's unnerving and I have a pretty thick skin but it's just a lot to take..especially on daily minimal sleep.
I am also looking to leave the Residency program. I have been very disappointed in the way my program has been. Disorganization, little learning opportunities. If you are someone that learns on the spot with little support then my program may be for you, and other VA residencies may be very different but again I've been pretty dissatisfied with it. I had a very different view going into the program especially from some of the anecdotes from this thread and just hearing fairly good things about the VA in general. I have been actively looking for opportunities outside of the VA currently
Andrea F
2 Posts
Thank you so much!! That is the link I was searching for!
For those of you in the program, are you credentialed as a provider? Can you write your own prescriptions?