Curious re: Veterans Affairs Nursing

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

Anyone know GS of BSN with 16 yrs total nsg experience? I am interested in VA nsg, but wondering what kind of pay.:heartbeat

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This is what I know but please whoever knows more, chime right in! RNs are not GS employees. They're covered under whats known as Title 38. RNs, CRNA, CNS, and NPs are "boarded" to determine salary. There are 4 grades and then there are steps within each grade. For example, you may come in as a grade 3, step 4 and your salary would be xxx dollars depending on where you live in the country. So a grade 3, step 4, would have a lower salary in Little Rock as compared to someone at exactly the same grade and step in San Francisco. Your grade and step are determined by a board of your peers looking over your education and nursing experience. Clear as mud, right??

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This is what I know but please whoever knows more, chime right in! RNs are not GS employees. They're covered under whats known as Title 38. RNs, CRNA, CNS, and NPs are "boarded" to determine salary. There are 4 grades and then there are steps within each grade. For example, you may come in as a grade 3, step 4 and your salary would be xxx dollars depending on where you live in the country. So a grade 3, step 4, would have a lower salary in Little Rock as compared to someone at exactly the same grade and step in San Francisco. Your grade and step are determined by a board of your peers looking over your education and nursing experience. Clear as mud, right??

You got it right, the only thing I would add is that the grade goes like this grade 1 is ASN, grade 2 is BSN, grade 3 MSN and then on to PHD and other specialty positions. The steps are based on your experiance with one step for everytwo years as a nurse . I have ten years experiance and have a BSN that started me as a grade 2 step 5. You earn a step every two years and can also earn them for certifications and by promotion from your nurse manager. I also work a 72 hour schedule and get paid for 80.

I have worked at a couple of hospitals in my area and am now at the VA. The pay is higher, the benefits better and am a member of the union. They have some of the same problems that the private sector has but I believe I will be happier there. Since I am new I will have to wait and see.

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

Thank you for your responses! I tried to do the research online for myself, but I didn't understand what I was reading. You've been a big help.:D

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You gotta love us vets too :D that's the clincher

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

Don't know what you mean by GS, but the VA tends to pay very well in comparison to other local nursing jobs.

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