New Grad Starting In Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital

Nurses New Nurse

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Just graduated from nursing school and going to be starting at a Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital in Texas very soon. That being said, to all you seasoned VA nurses of Allnurses... what do I need to know about working at the VA? Tips? Things that you wish someone told you when you started? Tips for transferring to another VA Hospital elsewhere in the future?

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

The onboarding process takes forever.

also, new grads in my area make way less at the VA than private health care systems. The step system at the VA is kind of wonky. If you start there it takes like six years to get to the pay grade you’d be if you came in to the VA with like two years experience. 

not sure if they still use CPRS and Vista but they are super archaic and crappy EHR systems

Population is hit and miss. Some veterans, especially the WW2 and Korean veterans are awesome, but you have to coax what they need out of them because they’re stoic as hell and don’t like to look needy. The ones who are going to want the most out of you likely did the least in the service and will love to tell you bogus combat stories when they never left an airfield In Nebraska or wherever.

great benefits, though 

 

 

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Hi. I also got into the VA in Dallas. Is that where you will be? I am wondering about pay since that will be the biggest determination on whether I really do take this offer or not. They have not told me anything about the stipend amount and it worries me if there is something to hide in regards to pay. Are you in the residency program? 

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@Scoutislife 

Hey! I will not be at the VA in Dallas. As for pay, my base pay will be $10-$15 more than the local private hospitals in my area (which seems to be averaging out around $21-$24 from what I hear). And yes I will be starting in the residency program (RNTTP).

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Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse.
On 6/16/2021 at 4:33 AM, gere7404 said:

The onboarding process takes forever.

 

 

How long is the process? I received a tentative offer on 4/7/21 and I'm still waiting for a start date. In the last update, I was told HR is awaiting Nurse PSB approval from the director. I am desperate to get off the night shift at my current job.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

It took four months for me to get on boarded as a unlicensed nursing assistant…. People with certifications and licenses can take several months longer because the VA is the VA 

 

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Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse.

Thanks. I guess all I can do is hurry up and wait.

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Specializes in OR.
On 6/16/2021 at 7:15 PM, n0rse said:

@Scoutislife 

Hey! I will not be at the VA in Dallas. As for pay, my base pay will be $10-$15 more than the local private hospitals in my area (which seems to be averaging out around $21-$24 from what I hear). And yes I will be starting in the residency program (RNTTP).

$21-$24 as an RN? I make more than that as a CNA. Granted, I live in an expensive city, but still, those numbers are shocking to me. Do you live in a rural part of TX or is that pretty standard base pay for RNs statewide?

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3 hours ago, kubelkabondy said:

$21-$24 as an RN? I make more than that as a CNA. Granted, I live in an expensive city, but still, those numbers are shocking to me. Do you live in a rural part of TX or is that pretty standard base pay for RNs statewide?

It seems to be about the average starting pay for new graduate RNs in my city’s medical center. I can’t really speak for other cities cause I’m not too sure. 

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Hello,

I am a new nurse at the Dallas VA. I am about to graduate from the nurse residency program (transition to practice, TTP). I like to work at the VA because I'm a veteran. The benefits are a lot better than the private sector. As nurses, we get 8 hours of vacations and 4 hours of sick leave per pay period. You also get your separate hours of holidays. There are a lot of scholarship opportunities for you to advance for career. As far as the workload, it depends on what unit you are working but generally it's hardwork everywhere during this pandemic. The VA has strong union, which I am a part of. It's good for job security since Texas is a right to work state, which means you can get fired easier in the private sector.  Anyway, good luck with your TTP program. I'll probably see you around in the hospital. 

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On 6/16/2021 at 8:50 PM, Scoutislife said:

Hi. I also got into the VA in Dallas. Is that where you will be? I am wondering about pay since that will be the biggest determination on whether I really do take this offer or not. They have not told me anything about the stipend amount and it worries me if there is something to hide in regards to pay. Are you in the residency program? 

Congratulations! That's awesome! I applied months ago, received notification that I was eligible, but never heard from them again. ☹️ The benefits are great!

Good luck! 

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On 8/10/2021 at 2:48 PM, Hopeful RN said:

Congratulations! That's awesome! I applied months ago, received notification that I was eligible, but never heard from them again. ☹️ The benefits are great!

Good luck! 

Which VA did you start working?

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