momswann

I love it! Pm me if you have specific questions

HI all. I recently took a job at a local VA hospital. I've been shocked and dismayed at some of the "goings on" that happen. Our union seems to protect employees that take advantage of union rules. For example, it is ok to show up two hours late because somewhere in the union rules, you have 2 hours before being considered tardy. Now I recognize that many of these rules are written for a non hospital working environment, but as you can imagine, these rules do not apply well to a hospital. Also, calling in sick during the holidays seems to have no ramifications either. Does anyone have any feedback or insight into this? What has your experience with the federal government union been like? Do employees (read: nurses) take advantage of these rules? I have found that it is demoralizing for those nurses that do not take advantage.... Thanks!

Wow, I'm a BSN with 3 years of experience and didn't get step 3.

HI all. I just started at the VA and am wondering what types of tuition reimbursement/scholarships they offer nurses that are interested in doing a MSN. Does anyone know? Thanks!

I interviewed in June, got a tentative offer in July, filled out eqip, vetpro etc, and finally received a "hard" offer, with salary in September. Started Oct 21. :)

Thanks, jeckrn!

I posted this under the VA hiring process as well--- Hi all. Got my offer of my base salary. I asked for the weekend to think it over. I can't afford to take a pay cut, so I'm trying to be sure I understand all of the variables. If anyone has answers to the following questions, I'd be very appreciative. I understand you get paid for all federal holidays, whether you work them or not. Do you get paid for 8 hours or your normal shift of 12? The health benefit options are overwhelming and costs vary significantly. Do most people just choose the Blue Cross option for a standard family plan? We have a child with medical needs, so this is important to us. I will be working EOW, and I think the shift diff for that is .25 X base hourly rate....does that seem right? Also, how easy is it to pick up OT, or do you think that varies per facility? I'm currently in a salaried position at 40 hours per week. I enjoy my job, but our company was recently purchased and I don't like the change in corporate culture. I'm not super keen on going back to bedside, but would do so in the hopes that I could eventually move to something else. Does anyone know what the transfer policy is? i.e. how long do you have to stay on a unit prior to transfer. Thanks and sorry for my endless questions !!!

Hi all. Got my offer of my base salary. I asked for the weekend to think it over. I can't afford to take a pay cut, so I'm trying to be sure I understand all of the variables. If anyone has answers to the following questions, I'd be very appreciative. I understand you get paid for all federal holidays, whether you work them or not. Do you get paid for 8 hours or your normal shift of 12? The health benefit options are overwhelming and costs vary significantly. Do most people just choose the Blue Cross option for a standard family plan? We have a child with medical needs, so this is important to us. I will be working EOW, and I think the shift diff for that is .25 X base hourly rate....does that seem right? Also, how easy is it to pick up OT, or do you think that varies per facility? I'm currently in a salaried position at 40 hours per week. I enjoy my job, but our company was recently purchased and I don't like the change in corporate culture. I'm not super keen on going back to bedside, but would do so in the hopes that I could eventually move to something else. Does anyone know what the transfer policy is? i.e. how long do you have to stay on a unit prior to transfer. Thanks and sorry for my endless questions !!! J

I've been told by my HR rep that I should be getting my offer within the next few days. I hope it's a good offer.

I was interviewed late June, offered a tentative position in early July, have done my vetpro, physical and dimensions...still haven't heard anything.

I used A Case Managers Study Guide by Fattorusso. That's the only book i used. I also bought the CCMC test the week before the exam. I liked the book, some of the test questions from Fattorusso's book were worded poorly, but I still learned the material.

I approached the CCM a lot like I approached the NCLEX...there's no way you can know all of the answers, but often you can take an educated guess at the right answer. A lot of theory questions, which are mostly common sense, like who is the CM's primary responsibility, etc etc. Good luck on the exam!!

Congrats! I was told by my credentialing rep that my stuff would be going to the nursing board "soon". But I feel like getting any information has been like pulling teeth.

Just took the test and got a preliminary pass. Didn't think the test was difficult, but there were a few poorly worded questions that gave me some anxiety. All in all, I went back and reviewed 40 questions, changed 2 answers and was done with the test in one hour and 15.

Did vetpro ask for your transcripts? I was never asked for them, so now Im confused. :)

RN1253- Thanks- When you filled yours out, what level were you? RN1? RN2?

I just rec'd a tentative offer from the VA and am in the process of filling out my qualifications standards for the Nurse Professional Standards Board. I understand that this is the time to "toot my own horn", but does anyone have any more specific advice? I know that there are 4 dimensions, with 9 criteria and we are supposed to provide examples, but it seems vague at times and I know if examples (for example a unit wide practice I implemented to reduce pressure ulcers) that could fall under several dimensions-both Practice and Scientific Inquiry. Can you use the same examples? Does that hurt your salary? Any input would be helpful!!!!

So I have my physical scheduled and just got all the paperwork in the mail. When filling out the form for the the nursing dimensions, do we need to provide supporting documentation? It basically says to provide examples. Any suggestions? Of course, I want to get the highest salary possible.... :)

Anyone here taking the CCM exam in August? I've read the other threads, but they are all older.....

I have a interview tomorrow for a micu position. First time I have applied at the va. So they made you an offer with no salary range ? Maybe I'm reading this wrong?

I took a CM job in April and I absolutely love it. Now, I realize it's not for everyone. If you love the clinical aspect of nursing, you may not like CM. I like it much better than floor nursing. I feel that I make a difference in patient's lives, without the stress of floor nursing under bad conditions. When I'm with a patient, (either telephonically or in person), I'm with that person. There are not call bells, phones, physicians, aides, etc, tugging on my coat tails. I work with a medicaid population and do everything from discharge stablization to chronic disease management. My population goes from peds to geri. Love it.

HI all. Just a little background before my question. I just finished my BSN at University of Virginia. Prior to this, I had planned to pursue my NP. During my course work, I took a public health class and loved it. I then recently switched jobs from a floor nurse to case management in a Medicaid MCO. I've been playing with the idea of perhaps pursuing my grad school studies in a public health arena. UVA has a MSN program called Public Health Nursing Leadership, so it's an MSN with a public health focus. Any thoughts? I'd never heard of this type of MSN and it sounds wonderful, but I'm wondering if it will help me in my career....Anyone out there completed a MSN with a public health focus? What are you doing? What types of jobs are out there? Any input would be helpful...thanks all!!! Jamie

Update: took the job and am finishing my first week. I had to travel to the office for a week and will be completing the rest of my training via computer. So far, I really have enjoyed all the people that have worked there and am really excited!

mtngrl- do you like the job?

This is in VA. Where are you? What type of caseload do you have?