GS series nurses

javadown2, BSN · Mar 28, 2023

I wish I could help you but I'm having same questions. I got an offer for a GS 10 nursing spot at Tripler in Hawaii. I have no idea how they came up the pay level. If you look up GS pay it's very low, I can't find any info on locality pay. But anyways maybe someone else will chime in?

CoastGal, BSN · Mar 28, 2023

The pay is pretty much the same as VN series so there's that! I've even looked at Reddit Message boards but no answers there either.

javadown2, BSN · Mar 28, 2023

I think they have the exact same leave and retirement. I also am wondering if you can transfer between the 2 without affecting your time in service? Really wish there was more information. You are probably right, the pay is probably same really close. From what I've read the GS pay raises are automatic while the VA isn't.

CoastGal, BSN · Mar 28, 2023

Yes I think steps are automatic whereas at the VA you have to "apply"?
My local base had quite a few nurses leave for the VA and I am wondering why? Is it better somehow, or worse, is the work culture bad at the military base.
I'll Update here if I learn anything!

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Mar 28, 2023

From my experience, civilians working at a military facility generally have it very good. They are given priority on their vacation. Military take all the call. There's usually endless bodies of people around to help you. Even in joint VA-DOD facilities, patients are generally very healthy compared to civilian hospitals. An old coworker summed it up best: "It's not the highest paying nursing job. It's not the easiest nursing job. But it is the easiest high-paying nursing job you'll find." The suboptimal pay, bureaucracy, and very slow onboarding process are usually the things that dissuade people.

ous8519 · Apr 4, 2023

Hey CoastGal, BSN

I am also in the process of onboarding in the GS system but I found this pay scale which is a general one. The locality pay could change depending on where you live. Also, as a nurse the hiring manager told me that, like a civilian job, you can work and get paid overtime, double time for holidays, addditional 25% of hourly base pay for nights, and 35% of hourly base pay for weekends. However, I am in the process of negotiating step pay so we will see what happens. I was told I had to accept the offer first then submit negotiation with all other documents requested. Not much but hope this gives you a little more insight on the process. I attached the GS payscale for your reference.

GS.pdf

CoastGal, BSN · Apr 4, 2023

Thanks for the responses.
The insurance benefits sound great. I'll getting my offer finalized next week and hope it's a good change. Change is scary!

RN_BSN_2022, BSN · Apr 11, 2023

CoastGal said:

Thanks for the responses.
The insurance benefits sound great. I'll getting my offer finalized next week and hope it's a good change. Change is scary!

Hello there.

Im alsi waitibg for my final offer. Last week I rrceived an email asking to chokse a start date.. how far along are you?

CoastGal, BSN · Apr 11, 2023

I've accepted tentative offer. I've had drug screen. Background check. Awaiting results

RN_BSN_2022, BSN · Apr 11, 2023

CoastGal said:

I've accepted tentative offer. I've had drug screen. Background check. Awaiting results

Hope to hear from them soon..

ous8519 · Apr 12, 2023

VAN MG said:

Hello there.

Im alsi waitibg for my final offer. Last week I rrceived an email asking to chokse a start date.. how far along are you?

Hi VAN MG, BSN

How long was your process and how long did it take before you were asked for a start date. I have completed my bg check and go for physical and drug screen next week. I'm still waiting for official offer though.