Do you know a nurse who worked at a Veterans Administration hospital?

[mikethern]

Hello everyone. I am thinking of working at a VA hospital. How are the medical and dental benefits for nurses there?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I agree with the posters who stated that there is a different pay scale at each VA - this is true. You really do have to contact the individual VA. There are a lot of variables too because the VA does pay more for education, experience, etc.. I was very very happily surprized that my active duty time counted for seniority so even though I was a new grad RN, I had 9 years seniority already - very, very nice.

[ms_orion]

:bowingpurI have questions.....Does VA have their own rules and scopes of practice? Example: CNA's able to do foley catheters butnot allowed to do glucosefinger sticks on residents? Who/Where do I find out the scope of practice at the VA hospitals?

[teenynurse]

go to USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site put in RN and where you live it will give you idea how much nurses make I live near Buffalo NY pay for staff nurses is 19-41 dollars hour depending on experience ect

[blueheaven]

There are NO dental benefits!

I beg to differ with you. I have dental benefits through my primary insurance as well as a supplimental one. I also have vision insurance too. Don't talk about what you don't know!!!!!!!!!

[blueheaven]

go to USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site put in RN and where you live it will give you idea how much nurses make I live near Buffalo NY pay for staff nurses is 19-41 dollars hour depending on experience ect

VA has what is called locality pay. This means if you move to another part of the country that has a higher cost of living, you will have your pay adjusted to accomodate that difference. For example, when I moved to Maryland, I received a $6000.00 yr. increase because of the COL here.

[Hoozdo, ADN]

I beg to differ with you. I have dental benefits through my primary insurance as well as a supplimental one. I also have vision insurance too. Don't talk about what you don't know!!!!!!!!!

Benefits also are variable. Why insinuate I don't know? Phoenix VA, 2006, NO

DENTAL BENEFITS.

[blueheaven]

Benefits also are variable. Why insinuate I don't know? Phoenix VA, 2006, NO

DENTAL BENEFITS.

I deeply apologize for my total ignorance of your particular VA. Mea culpa. :chair::smackingf:bowingpur

[getoverit, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

There are NO dental benefits!

Not true. The VA has an extensive list of insurance options, some have dental/vision and others don't. You would be able to pick whichever plan worked best.

[RNfor918]

I read another post from 2010 that said Phoenxi VA has no dental benefits. I start work there on 01/03/12 and have already been given enrollment info for health, dental, vision, etc. Phx VA has dental benefits. As for medical, Phx has 2 high HMO providers- one is $107/biweekly, the other is $75 biweekly, and the dental runs about $20 biweekly for a PPO provider. Benefits are good, but seem to be costlier here in Phx than other areas I've looked at. Google "Federal employee benefits" and you will get a lot of info about what is offered where, prices & plan details. Overall- the benefits seem extensive, and you have your choice of plans

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Check out the VA discussions in AN's Government / Military Nursing forum.

[nursearoo]

I have a close friend who is an LPN who works at a VA hospital in the Tampa area...she LOVES it there.....says the benefits are great...health insurance effective immediately....she use to work private duty home care and put in 72+ hours a week...after going to the VA she quit the homecare job(s) and just works at the VA....she sounds very very happy...and especially not having to work more hours than being home......she grabs an overtime shift if she feels like it but never feels obligated.....