Have you worked at a Hospital,then VA Hospital?

InquisitiveAPN · Oct 25, 2018

According to the staff nurses at the VA, it's not a lot different. Things move very slowly. Everything is done by committee. I haven't been in hospitals in a few years, but there's lots of safety and TJC stuff. -mostly older male patients.

At my level, everything is very slow with very few patients each day, but I don't do anything inpatient.

RNs seem to have all kinds of options for non clinical work. You could probably make an entire career and see patients for only the first three to five years.

BrendaH84, BSN · Oct 26, 2018

thank you. i now have an interview for next friday, she said it's very busy, 5 patients each and it's a rehab floor (surgical rehab, not drug rehab), it'd be midnights, i work days now. :( the ONLY reason i would do this is for the pension that my parents keep saying i will need, as i am not married. my current job matches IRA money up to 6%. too bad change is slow at the VA. geez if we make a valid suggestion to my manager, she talks with the DON and it's implemented within a day! I'm serious! haha. also i have a great manager. i sure wish everyone didnt scare me with the whole i need a pension thing. i'm 40, divorced, and i will not get married again :). what is TJC?

InquisitiveAPN · Oct 26, 2018

So fully investigate FERS and the TSP before you jump. Those are the retirement plans along with Social Security and whatever you do on your own.

The older persons idea of work 20 years and get paid for life isn't anywhere close to accurate.

I will say I'm happy with the retirement options, and the Federal BCBS insurance is pretty nice. GEHA is good as well but I find less providers in my area.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Oct 26, 2018

what is TJC?

The Joint Commission.

OUxPhys, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2018

I started at a civilian hospital then moved to VA. I like the VA better because I get paid more and the benefits are better. Im also a vet so I enjoy working with the other veterans. However, I will say I don't necessarily agree with how the VA does some things.