Experience in VA hospitals?

evaughn · May 21, 2010

This is what I truly appreciate about this site. You get honest varying points of view. I'm thankful for all the comments received. I've got a lot to consider... It sounds like I will need to check out the individual VA's I might want to apply at as the culture seems to differ from facility to facility. Thanks again.

CNL2B · May 21, 2010

I work at a VA. It is in Minneapolis and is considered to be the best (and the largest) VA hospital in this care area, which includes all of MN and parts of WI, N and S Dakota, WI, IA, and even Nebraska (Omaha). I like it there alot. The benefits are great and the pay is competitive. They have probably an unparalleled tuition reimbursement program (up to $34,000/lifetime for nurses.) I think most of us that work there really like working with veterans and are committed to the care we provide. I think the care is comparable to other hospitals in the local market.

I do have some issues with the culture, however. We are a decent size (250+ bed) medical center with strong academic affiliations (University of MN medical school, other U of M health programs, multiple ADN and BSN nursing programs) and it is like pulling teeth around there to get anything to happen. New innovations are nil. Change happens at a turtles pace. My unit is a multispecialty (CV,general surg,urology,ENT,etc.) surgical ICU and we don't do off-pump CABGs or CVVHD, which are both now practice standards everywhere else in the local area. We desperately need either a long-term vent unit and that isn't even on the table -- we keep patients forever that should be transitioned elsewhere for vent weaning. It IS the government and everything is firmly bound up in red tape.

I do not think every VA is the same. Some have horrible outcomes and horrible reputations, while some are really good. It's worth looking locally and talking to locals that work at that specific facility to find out what they think. I would recommend my facility, but I can't say that I would recommend all VA's, especially based on what some of the previous posters have said.

netglow, ASN, RN · May 21, 2010

Sassyred,

I am upset from reading your experiences :hug:. My father has medicare and supplemental (so in essence all is paid, except drugs that are partially covered under part D). His friends tell him to go to the VA for this and for that. I am worried about this. I advise him not to give up his regular docs. If there is a way he can take a script up there just for a fill, well, OK. But I warned him it won't be quick, and available at all hours. He also could benefit from a hearing aid, now that expense is something his friends went thru the VA for... OK. I just hope they don't pull anything. He is 82 and stubborn!! He would not likely tell me if he did get screwed over.

michael22 · May 22, 2010

I to was lied to and deceived about going into the ICU training program right out of nursing school, but this was in a civilian hospital. Is there any other industry that blatantly lies to you about the job to get you in the door then deceives you and does not carry through? 5 years later, it happened to me again at my present job. I will never take another nursing job without getting everything in writing. This one has cost me a lot! a lot of pain, loss of money and a lot of frustration and arguing with my partner.

Jules A, MSN · May 22, 2010

Do you know how many new nurses started on the ortho floor I worked on saying, "I'm an ICU nurse with X amount of years of experience. They hired me on here but there is an ICU position opening for me in a few weeks". With no intention of hiring this nurse to the ICU that same week they'll hire 3 ICU nurses. This is SO COMMON! I have heard some nurses getting put in geri-psych with the same circumstances, and they are still there to this day. I just don't think that's right to be lied & deceived.

I totally agree that this is horrible and dishonest but wanted to add that if these nurses are still there today it is their problem. Recruiters should be forthcoming but it is also up to the individual to decide how they are willing to be treated. If we, as humans not just nurses, were less willing to just take what is dumped on us there would be less of this type of thing and less b!tching, imo.

nervousnurse, ASN · May 22, 2010

Sassyred,

I just had to comment after reading your story....sooo sorry about your husband! :crying2:

lesrn2005 · Jun 15, 2010

I also work at the VA, in Florida. I started working here right after graduation, and I started out with better than base pay, as I had interned at the same hospital as a student, so I was given an extra "step" on their pay scale because of this. In addition, like previous posters have mentioned, the benefits are outstanding. I get 8 hours of annual leave, and 4 hours of sick leave every 2 weeks. Their health/dental insurance is pretty good too, and is reasonably priced. The patient population is obviously skewed greatly, as you are 95% percent working with male geriatrics, but overall I've really enjoyed my time here. I haven't experienced any "abuse" of the patients as the poster prior to me mentioned, but then again I'm in a completely different hospital, so obviously each hospital is different. The staff here are very welcoming, and I was given a very long orientation, with their newly developed "RN Residency Program" for new graduates. It's a support system that is a year long, with classes to refresh your memory in critical care areas that you may not have remembered in detail from school (for those of us who were hired into the ICUs). The charge nurses are very good at giving me the hardest patients, so as to challenge myself and to learn, and I can say that I have learned very much since working here, and it has helped my confidence as a nurse as well. Overall, I would highly recommend looking into a position at the VA, as it clearly has more benefits than not, in my opinion. Good luck! :)

Do you work at J. Haley VA? That is where I will be interviewing in one week. Is the pay good? I'm a nurse for 6 years.