LPN @ VA hospital & Overtime

[PALP8NU, LPN]

Hi, currently an LPN thats looking to get hired at our local Pittsburgh, Pa VA hospital / critical care clinics.

My question is about Overtime. I currently work tons of OT where I'm at. So much so that my salary is 42k a year but last year I made 90k with my overtime.

Can I do this in the VA system? Someone said the VA hires agency when they are short. They dont hire LPNs and allow them to work OT.

Thanks,

[PALP8NU, LPN]

Anyone know or have worked at the VA that would have info?

Please...

?

[gsbates]

I have been in the VA and OT is far and few between, do not count on that as part of your salary.

[caliotter3]

No way would I expect that amount of overtime with any employer, much less a government agency, unless I had verified this condition with the HR department prior to, or as part of, my onboarding. This is one of those situations where one would need to see this condition of hire in writing.

[Happy.Nurselet, LPN]

The slogan at the VA is “if you’ve seen one VA, you’ve seen ONE VA.” I work for a VA medical center and I love it! It’s a great place, but overtime is not that extreme. I have the opportunity for 8-16 hours on a good week, 4 or less on a not-so-good week. In our area, overtime is usually during night shift as a sitter, and the techs get first choice because they are most cost effective for the job needing done. That being said, I have heard that it is very different in the other VA medical centers that my team members have come from. Some places, overtime is constantly available and others are more restrictive with it than my location. Many people I work with prefer to have a second job part time or per DIEM over expecting overtime.