New to VA Nursing

athena55, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2007

Hello Rhonda V and welcome to AllNurses and to the VA System.

I currently work at VISN 3, NYC area. Haven't been working with the VA for long (four months, smile) but yes there are some differences between working in a civilian hospital and in the Federal (VA) Government.

One good thing, well for ME anyway, is there are lots of people who have prior service or are currently in the Reserves. Makes it so much easier when having to deal with deployment, BAs, TDY, etc.

I think another difference is the use of terminology. It's not "vacation" but AL (annual leave) and you are not late, you are AWOL (well, my old PCTC just loved watching the clock and marking you AWOL if you were 15 minutes late. Of course, the AWOL never stuck, but shoot!)

I hear over and over again: "You're working for the Government, don't think you can change anything, EVER" Haven't really attempted to make my voice heard - YET. For example: My last job was in critical care and the Nurses were allowed to give STAT inhalation treatments. Here at the VA you must call Respiratory. Doesn't make much sense to me, especially if your patient is "tight" and has end expiratory wheezing. But I will take the small steps before I leap and bound, hahaha.

I hope you enjoy your experience with the VA. Best damn decision I made (besides becoming an Army Nurse)

Best of Luck,

athena

DLRN · Apr 27, 2007

Hello rhonda and athena,I have been working at visn3 for about 3 months and I dont like it at all,I was originall hired for med-surg and was placed in LTC,I do no clinical work besides placing foleys,big deal.I did not go to school to be a RN to lose my skills.I have asked for a transfer but was told I needed to wait a year.I am so upset about it.I left a great job because I thought this was going to be a better one and its not.Plus,the benefits are so expensive and not that good.

Pompom · Apr 28, 2007

I worked for VISN 4 and the biggest difference between civilian and gov. hospitals is that the VA has better staffing ratios, plenty of supplies, no borrowing from other ICU's for BP cuffs, monitor cables, pumps, etc. I never ran out of linen at the VA. 5 weeks paid vacation the first year too. I originally was hired for a high obs. unit then transferred to ICU. I am currently relocating to another state and will start in a VA ICU on monday, so I will let you know what this one is like. During the interview I noticed all the same equipment, monitors, etc. I have been a RN for 12 yrs. and went back to get my BSN 2 yrs. ago, the VA paid for that too.

Juneria1 · May 3, 2007

Hello everyone! For those that are already VA employees, do any of you know the pay rates for VA nurses in Hawaii?

There is no info on usajobs nor the vacareeers websites for RNs (for this location, as no vacancies are posted). I know location factors in to the pay rate. Thanx!!

midnitelpn · May 4, 2007

office of personnel management website should have the current gs pay scales w/locality adjustments. as i am an lpn i am paid by the gs pay scale. i think rn's are paid by a different scale......it has to do w/the title of your postition i think.....(an rn where i am is a title 5 employee, and i am a hybridized title 5/title 38, thus i am not considered a professional & cannot join the rn's union, and do not get some of ther perks as far as annual lv amts upon hire etc) rn's at our facillity are nurse I's,II's,III's. i am an lpn gs 6-step7........go to opm & look around, cause i'm sure i just made everything as clear as mud!!! sorry......

LT Dave · May 21, 2007

Hi,

I am in Miami VISN 8. Been at Buffalo VA also. I LOVE my job and working here. Here are some things to remember.

Incidents creat policy

Every one I know who has ever left the VA system always come back or spends the rest of thier time trying too.

MedicLifelineRN · Sep 7, 2010

I wonder how long it takes to hear anything. Considered it, but not sure.

w2cross2blue · Sep 7, 2010

I work at VISN 16 and have loved my last 6 years here. I agree with previous posters that any nurse I have known that has left (and I can only think of 2 in the past 6 years!!) have tried to come back. The hiring process takes longer than the civilian side but it is well worth the wait. My pay has significantly improved compared to my civilian side pay with the annual cost of living raise along with merit raises and step increases. I also finished my BSN which they helped pay for and have received my CCRN and CEN which I was compensated for as well. There also are significant opportunities for advancement if one is willing to jump through the hoops. I am currently in the process of commissioning to the Air Force but fully plan on returning to the VA after my military career. I love caring for our Vets and feel passionately about giving back to those that gave so much for the rest of us.

Scooty Puff Jr · Sep 8, 2010

A bit off topic, but anyone have any advice for a VA ER interview. I looked at the VA site, but just wondering if anyone has anything else to add?

w2cross2blue · Sep 8, 2010

I was asked during my interview about a few ER scenerios and how I would prioritize the patients. I also was asked to give specific examples of how I had "made a change" or implemented a new procedure to make things better at my previous job. Also any volunteer or community activities that you are active in will help your application be more competitive. It seems like they also asked questions about how well I got along with other coworkers. I hope this helps!

cns121 · Jan 4, 2012

Hi Athena I know this is an old post but was wondering if you still work for the VA in the NYC. If so could you please let me know how its going any information would be greatly appreciated.