New grad, military spouse. VA?

stereotypical · Dec 15, 2010

Not a military spouse here, but I'm pretty sure at the military hospitals you get preference? Or something along those lines. VA experiences vary from hospital to hospital, but the upside to working for one is that you don't need to register for licenses in other states (as long as you stay within the system).

psycheab · Dec 15, 2010

Here's a couple of things coming from a military spouse who graduated immediately before we PCSed overseas....

To get a job in the hospitals on base, 99% of the time they want you to have that valuable 1 year experience. Without it, I was unable to get a job at both our overseas location (the hospital on base) nor at the hospital/clinics on base at the newest assignment.

Hopefully you are in a position where you will be graduating and staying put. Use that to your advantage and if you are the least bit interested in where you are currently doing clinicals, work it, work it, work it. Suck up to the charge nurse, inquire about positions, etc.

Also, I know it depends on the location, but the local VA hospital will not accept new grads. On the job website, it states you must have TWO years of experience. So, I know that the instructors mean well, but until you can get that experience under your belt, doors aren't just going to open up for you. In my experience, being a military spouse doesn't get you anywhere. Not being harsh, just realistic based on my experiences.

Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN · Dec 15, 2010

Here's a couple of things coming from a military spouse who graduated immediately before we PCSed overseas....
To get a job in the hospitals on base, 99% of the time they want you to have that valuable 1 year experience. Without it, I was unable to get a job at both our overseas location (the hospital on base) nor at the hospital/clinics on base at the newest assignment.
Hopefully you are in a position where you will be graduating and staying put. Use that to your advantage and if you are the least bit interested in where you are currently doing clinicals, work it, work it, work it. Suck up to the charge nurse, inquire about positions, etc.
Also, I know it depends on the location, but the local VA hospital will not accept new grads. On the job website, it states you must have TWO years of experience. So, I know that the instructors mean well, but until you can get that experience under your belt, doors aren't just going to open up for you. In my experience, being a military spouse doesn't get you anywhere. Not being harsh, just realistic based on my experiences.

This.

Sorry to say, but I am/was in your shoes. I am a recent graduate and without at least a year, they won't even look at you. It sucks because the hospital on base is RIGHT beside where my husband works. What can ya do?

I have since found better opportunities not related to military. You might want to check out military to medicine.org, although you pretty much need that 1-2 yrs experience no matter where you go...... military or not.

Good luck

Quark09 · Dec 15, 2010

Your best bet will be to upload a resume to cpol and usajobs. Do you know where you're PCSing to? We're in Korea right now.

Your instructors may have suggested the VA because it's a government contract job, which gives you a slight preferential status when you move to another locale. However, it's not VA-specific; any contract job will do. Especially if you're overseas, the military spouse pref. is almost a given; everyone who applies for that job will most likely be a spouse (some spots are open for people willing to relocate and aren't military-affiliated, but if a spouse applies, they'll get preference, provided they meet the other qualifications).

Some overseas locations have extremely limited space for civilian RNs; they have to hire a certain percentage of nationals, and have to do a TON of paperwork if they have to fill it with an American civilian due to there not being any qualified nationals to fill the position. There are other types of positions that can be filled by an RN though; Family Advocacy personnel, New Parent Support, etc. They also have WIC programs as well. They usually advertise those positions for BSN only, but if they've gone a while without being able to fill it, may take an ADN.

That's all I can think of right now; you can google cpol and check the listings for medical personnel. Good luck!

st4rl4dy · Dec 15, 2010

I am ADN graduate new grad. The VA didn't really do much for me, neither did the naval hospital. We are in so cal currently one of the worst job markets out there nursing or not. The best advice is one alreaydmentioned, stay where are already in, milk it for a year and then find a job and move if your husband's position allows it. I hear of openings at the naval hospital and the VA almost weekly but i guess there is no rush to fill them. Also check out USAjobs and CHARTS? Good luck, i am still battling it out and wondering if i will become an APRN before i ever go to work as an RN. I always get this feeling there is something i am missing in my approach to the naval hospital...........................but who knows. Hope and pray!

tthor5220 · Dec 15, 2010

I worked in the VA system for 12 years as an RN. The good things about working for the VA have already been mentioned. In addition the pay is always very locality friendly and there is very good health and retirement benefits as well as numerous federal holidays. The down side is the largeness and bureaucracy of the VA system can be frustrating. And there are all the usual political problems with any type of job. But all in all a good deal. Only caution is I believe VA nursing jobs like everywhere else are getting harder to find. Good luck.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 15, 2010

I worked at the VA in Indianapolis (ICU) in the mid-90's. It was fine, my co-workers were great, pts very respectful, pay great, no problems.

systoly · Dec 15, 2010

This.
Sorry to say, but I am/was in your shoes. I am a recent graduate and without at least a year, they won't even look at you. It sucks because the hospital on base is RIGHT beside where my husband works. What can ya do?
I have since found better opportunities not related to military. You might want to check out military to medicine.org, although you pretty much need that 1-2 yrs experience no matter where you go...... military or not.
Good luck

I did not know this. So much for taking care of our own. :mad:

0402 · Dec 15, 2010

Many of the MTFs don't have new grad programs- AD or civilian. You really need to be near one that does, to have any chance at all, and even then, it's extremely limited. I'm a vet an a military spouse, and any preference I get did not help me at all when it came to applying for a new grad position at a Naval Hospital. I'm working in civilian hospital and am possibly looking to transfer to the local MTF after I have a year of experience, both to get into the federal system, as well as because it's less than half the commute I have now. As someone mentioned, not all VAs have new grad programs. I went to nursing school in San Diego, and while their VA has done new grad programs in the past, but have stopped them in recent years. I'm now in DC, and the VA here does not take new grads. As much as I would have liked to have started in the federal system (I already have 10+ yrs federal/ military service), getting into a new grad program was the most important part- whether federal, military or civilian.

RLeeRN · Dec 15, 2010

Hello, I am a former Marine who Graduated from my ADN RN program in 2008 at the same time my wife PCS'd to SD. I was hired on the spot as a new grad with no experience at the local regional Hospital. I called the local VA Hospital (FT. Meade VA Medical Center) Nurse Recruiter and got the information needed to submit an app. Know that some Facilities do require 1-2 years experience, but some Staff jobs do not. Some require a BSN and some do not. Most start you in the long term care wing as a new grad or med surg. Ft. Meade required a paper application only, though all of their jobs where posted onto www.usajobs.com. Just type in Registered Nurse in the search criteria and your area to pull up the jobs. Read the postings carefully, and be sure to call the RN recruiter and get the straight scoop, whether or not they are willing to take an app from a new grad and place it on file for 6 months. Most will let you submit an app regardless of current positions, just to have on file. You must re-apply after 6 months. I had applied and they would put me up for the ones I had selected, but preference was given to internal transfers first, then More Experienced nurses, then Veterans preference plays a role, then New Grads. Believe it or not, they called me for a job interview after about 6-8 months when I was packing our newly remodeled house up so we could sell it due to a short notice short tour for my wife. When I moved to KY with my children I had no trouble getting a job at the local Hospital, but now we are PCSing again...Got to love it!...This will be our last stop as my wife will retire at our next location.

I have heard mixed reviews on VA Hospitals. I have also heard there is a great need for Veterans who are RNs to be in the system, and at least more spouses as they too understand what a military family goes through and the unique stresses and strains that accompany that life of service. If given the chance again I would love to apply again to care for America's Heros and their families. I wish you and your family the best. God Bless you and Merry Christmas.

Lee

nursingcares, RN · Dec 16, 2010

Thanks everyone! I have been offered a job at the VA here in Albuquerque, which is like 5 minutes from my house on base. From hearing all of your posts..I think it would be wise to get in if I have the chance! We are at a training base right now for spec ops and so we know we won't be going anywhere new until at least next summer/fall. Hopefully it'll be enough experience that wherever we go I can transfer there or at least be able to find a job. Thank you all so much!!!