Just accepted position at VA hospital! Some questions...

MedicLifelineRN · Jan 24, 2012

Good luck in your position, what division are you in. Med/surg, tele, ect?

V A is a whole different animal in and of itself............

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2012

As in transfer do you mean within your facility or to another VA? You need to speak with your HR department to find this out. You can apply to work at another VA but it is not a transfer per say, you still have to go thru the hiring process for that VA since there is no "transfering" between VA's. But it is easier then the initial hiring process.

MedicLifelineRN · Jan 24, 2012

As in transfer do you mean within your facility or to another VA? You need to speak with your HR department to find this out. You can apply to work at another VA but it is not a transfer per say, you still have to go thru the hiring process for that VA since there is no "transfering" between VA's. But it is easier then the initial hiring process.

Very true, even to go to another floor you have to re apply for that job in your own hosp. Go through the whole interview process all over again. Same if you want to go to another V A in thestate or one far away, you reapply like everyone else. Good luck in you career and best wishes.

punkhardcoreRN · Jan 24, 2012

Thanks, I was referring to going to an out-of-state facility. I know one must interview for position but I guess I was referring to how long you have to wait before you can apply elsewhere- not that I am going to jump ship right away after being given an expedited hire. I definitely think my experiences will be good at where I am, but am hopfully planning to transition into an ICU (my floor is a tele step-down), plus my girlfriend is from out of state.

wife&mommyRN · Jan 26, 2012

Did you start orientation yet?

punkhardcoreRN · Jan 26, 2012

I start on Monday!

wife&mommyRN · Jan 26, 2012

Congrats!!!! :)

Have they given you your work schedule?

How long is your orientation?

Have they gone over any of the benefits with you?

dimari · Jan 26, 2012

Congratulations and welcome to VA! Hope your orientation is going well. I started working at a VA in 2003 and was able to transfer to a different HCS in the same VISN after 6 months. Don't know if my decades of experience as an RN & fact that I was a veteran helped but it's best to check with HR as facilities have different ways of doing things.

When I transferred I had to apply & interview but did not have to go through all the paperwork (we didn't have VetPro back then) as when first applying. I had to make sure the transition was at the end of a pay period and not miss any time between jobs. If you do, then you must go through the whole application process again! So my last workday was a Friday, I had the weekend off, then started the new job on Monday.

Good luck with your career!

punkhardcoreRN · Jan 31, 2012

Congrats!!!! :)
Have they given you your work schedule?
How long is your orientation?
Have they gone over any of the benefits with you?

Today was my first day and we took the oath as federal employees- my schedule is going to be rotating, but I am assigned primarily to days and my orientation is 6 weeks long (due to not being considered a new-new grad), and the benefits was the most confusing part of today. Too many pamphlets and choices! But my base salary as a 0.8 is AWESOME compared to what I made FT aka 1.0 at the previous employer- even the HR lady who handed me the forms I signed acknowledging my incentive/bonus said "I should have gone into nursing like you!"....not bad for a younger guy who got his ADN via GI BILL. Its awesome not having any debt or student loans going into this all!

wife&mommyRN · Jan 31, 2012

Congrats, it makes me even more excited to work for the VA. I presently make far less than a civilian hospital so any salary I receive will be very impressive. Did you know u were receiving a bonus when you got hired? Its good to hear that they still offer those :) How much nursing experience do you have? Did they give you any information on the education debt repayment program? It must me nice being able to earn and keep your salary rather than forking it over to student loans :) With a job @ the VA I hope to be in that positon in 3 years. Keep us posted :)

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2012

Even thou you are making less at the VA then a civilian hospital now, in the long run you will end up making more at the VA. Also, there is not many civilian hospitals will match the benefits.