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Specializes in inpatient rehab (general, sci, tbi, cva).

I'll start at a local SCI center for the VA in March. What are some things I should know about how the VA system works that they might miss in orientation?

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

hello 1studentnurse:

i have been working as a civilian at visn3 (brooklyn vamc) for almost 18 months now. of course there will be a ton of stuff you will learn that just won't be included in your initial orientation.

hopefully you will be matched up with a preceptor that knows his/her stuff (smile). just remember: you are working for the federal government and just like the army its all about the "hurry up and wait" mentality. i have been told that change doesn't happen gracefully with the va system, meaning: everything has to go through the chain of command.

you will meet a lot of wonderful people. in fact, many have prior experience in one of the armed services.

do you know which unit you will be assigned to? i have experience in critical care nursing but i asked to start out on a telemetry unit so that i could get the hang of all the policies/procedures before i asked to be transfered over to the micu/ccu/sicu.

one thing i am having a hard time getting used to is....any changes to the ventilator, or placing your patient on the bipap machine you must have the rt do. even obtaining an abg the rt does. :icon_roll but, at least where i work, the respiratory tech's are great! any question i have (like with the results of an abg) all i have to do is ask one of the rt's and i get a great quick lecture...wonderful source of reference for me

good luck working with sci. tough job, that!

athena

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Specializes in inpatient rehab (general, sci, tbi, cva).

Thanks Athena!

I will be on the SCI unit to start. Our VA system here has 2 hospital centers and this one is near where I live. There is psych, SCI, skilled nursing/hospice and a bunch of clinics and offices, from what I know now.

I have no military background, but my husband is orienting me on that (old Navy nuke submariner--fast attack ELT) and a few other things military-wise. He has siblings both active in the Army and Navy and a friend in the Air Force.

I took and passed the boards in June 2007, so I hope they take that into account. I had 12 weeks orientation at my current job, but I wouldn't call it the best. The first part and my actual floor orientation was great with two wonderful CRRNs and probably the best nurse we have now on our unit. The last part of orientation--with a new educator--was terrible and I learned nothing other than she's too busy to educate me on anything. I've learned a lot on my own, and I'm proud of the progress I've made with so many different types of patients, including transplant patients.

I don't have the best IV/phlebotomy skills so I'm hoping to improve on that more as I go along. I know I'll be stressed again learning something new, but the fact that the VA offers good location, pay, and benefits is worth it.

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Specializes in inpatient rehab (general, sci, tbi, cva).

Sure, SCI is tough, but I don't mind.

I just got one of my packets. I still have to do a SR-85. Do they ever stop investigating you? I thought VetPro was it, but apparently, I have to do e-QIP, too. All this before I start next week.

Does anyone know what the delay is on health benefits? The letter stating I am "temporary" is a little scary (until I go through the Nursing Board thing). I really don't want to do COBRA.

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