javadown2

Transfer to a new position or location, don't leave the VA

From what I've read you keep everything the same and continue your pay and grade, also if you still need the 5 years to get vested there can't be ANY work gap. So you have to coordinate with new location on start dates.

Just fill out your experiences, if it doesn't apply to you put N/A, add your credentials and answer the questions that apply to you and your experiences. I've applied and had final offers at different VA facilities with different outcomes. I reject anything that's not at least Nurse 2. Make sure you update your resume and put in as much detail as you can with your job experiences, including the types of patients you've worked with, it does matter.

I think they have the exact same leave and retirement. I also am wondering if you can transfer between the 2 without affecting your time in service? Really wish there was more information. You are probably right, the pay is probably same really close. From what I've read the GS pay raises are automatic while the VA isn't.

I wish I could help you but I'm having same questions. I got an offer for a GS 10 nursing spot at Tripler in Hawaii. I have no idea how they came up the pay level. If you look up GS pay it's very low, I can't find any info on locality pay. But anyways maybe someone else will chime in?

It's not really travel nursing now is it...if you have to sign a 2 year agreement. Your better served to do a nurse residency then go into travel nursing honestly. You can "travel" to a different state and find a residency anywhere, then your traveling, lol.

Show me the Money! And give incentives to nurses who stick around, give vacation incentives(extra time off for OT hours). I don't care about awards and kudos, just give monetary incentives or selective scheduling, make it easier on the staff who do stay and are on time. Don't reward for bad behaviors.

You can't just step into a travel job without prior nursing experience in your specialty, yeah and not just any nursing job will work. If you want a specific travel job you need experience in THAT specialty. I would recommend figuring out what area of nursing makes you excited and then get a job in a nurse residency program....then after a year(minimum) or two you can start looking into travel nursing. I'm just being honest since I'm just finishing up my 4th travel assignment with a total of 5 years experience so far. Also...your ONLY 26 or 27, far from being OLD or starting a career late, that is just nonsense. Focus on school, then decide once you've got your NCLEX done.

All that and it's all ok...see it appears to be self destruction. Glad you found what works for you though. It's NOT the end of the world, it's nursing, it's a job. Take it one day at a time, heck one hour at a time, you will be just fine.

I guess we need to ban knives too? But of course this is silly logic.

There are evil people every where, it will happen again...it's sickening but the reality of this world....there is no stopping it to be honest. Ban all the guns, ban what ever..but people will still do bad things as long as evil is in this world.

Or....just get out. Take a break, go flip some burgers or work at a hotel. You won't be stressed at work, but will be stressed with paying the bills. Nursing is hard, and I'm going on 5 years like you, it doesn't get easier. Many seem to accelerate and move onto ICU careers or find their niche. If your young enough, move onto something that makes you happy.

So I had similar experience and was in a nurse residency program. It is hard to be a nurse let alone a new nurse. And for me it hasn't gotten any easier (5 years now). But with that said you learn to have your own way of managing time and tasks. Some days are harder then others. What is your other alternative? If your young enough then do something else...nursing has its many many drawbacks and really isn't that fun or great for the most part. The best days are when you truly made a difference in someones life, worst days are when you are feeling so overwhelmed and just no end in site and just wish to be done with the day. I personally would say give it a year or 2 and then make a dicision, your not wasting time or effort...it's a job, you get paid, you ARE making a difference in peoples lives. Maybe try working at a clinic, prison nurse, school nurse....there are lots of other options. Just don't give up.

That is a tough question, I started my nursing school at the age of 40 and I don't necessarily regret it but I had to get student loans to afford it. I did it for a different reason and was my first time finishing college. Sounds like you may not go into debt but are unwisely using your retirement money (which you will need later in life and no investment person would encourage you to do this). The best way to do this is to work your way through school and pay it off as you go. Anyways, no one can make the decision for what is best for you. Nursing Is really hard and you will be shocked once you start working at how chaotic but gratifying it is. Be warned it isn't always a job that you will be rewarded with because of the nature of our health care settings. Hospitals are currently worried more about patient satisfaction rather then the best route to a holistic return to health. It's JUST as much a corporate rate race as your corporate insurance job. Anyways, do what is in your heart and nursing is a great profession but it's never what people expect.

Don't feel lame about pushing it forward, it IS a big deal and shouldn't taken lightly. I don't know what uworld is but most predictor tests probable have some validity to them...but not always.