medivac618

I am trying to figure out if it is worth working for the DHA/VA instead of a civilian hospital. How can we figure out where we should be on the pay scales when getting our first position? Is this something where we can trust the hiring manager to work through with us or should we know exactly where we are at and have the documents to back it up? What happens if you get hired in only to realize you're significantly underpaid? I have 5 months left on my mobilization and am starting my job hunt now, hopefully for a PacNW position. For my scenario: Experience as an ADN: 3 years Med/Surg 1 year PCU 1.5 years ICU Additional health care experience 6 yrs active duty as an enlisted Medic (68W), plus 9 yrs in the reserves 1.5 yrs civilian CNA (through nursing school in a hospital) Thank you for anyone who answers, constructive criticism is welcomed.

Highly recommend you look for a transfer. A friend of mine was miserable as a StarRN in the West Division and was able to get them agree to allow her to transfer prior what the contract required. Every hospital system has its problems and sometimes you just need a fresh start or even just a new floor/dept. BTW contract nurses in my area say the HCA hospital in Sarasota is about as good as they come

Largely agree and the same with Sunshined. Was an army medic but the only advantage that got me was physical ED credits and permission to take Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 in the same semester. I even had to get a CNA license to get a job in the hospital while in school. I did have a Marine husband and wife in my class. He was a avn mechanic and she was admin. Both finished it easily. Getting a job in your target hospital as a CNA is huge. Other useful networking jobs are sterile processing (if you want to work in the operating room) or Telemetry monitor tech (need to know how to read EKGs which too many nurses don’t then sit and monitor cardiac rhythms) very easy position. Post 9/11 bill and a part time CNA job got me through school without any loans here in Florida.

As an enlisted Medic, I made sure to always be courteous and professional with all civilian staff on post. GS staff aren’t there to be warfighters, they are there to help us with our overall function. As long as you show respect and do your job it shouldn’t be an issue. ?

Wow, that begs the question; how do you guys adequately staff? I understand we go through USA Jobs to apply but is there any efficient way of getting hired for the VA/DoD?

I’m an enlisted reservist interested in moving to the PACNW from Florida and would love to pick up a civilian position at Madigan Army Medical Center or a VA hospital. I’ve heard the hiring process is very long. Is there a contract/temp nursing company that staffs these hospitals so I could get my foot in the door? Background: 68W Medic for 12 years with 5 years nursing Med/Surg - PCU civilian hospital experience with an ASN degree.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, the "degree mill" was a joke. The school I'm currently in was a community college and is now offering 4 year degrees, but I wouldn't give the school top marks. Whenever future career plans are brought up by me or other students the common response is just to pass the NCLEX, and that they've never been asked for their GPA in a job interview. Great skills training, but I'm not sure if this is the institution I should stay in for another 2 years.

I am an ADN student in my last semester and looking towards my BSN. Eventually I'd like to try for an advanced practice degree and I am curious if the reputation of the school I go to effects admissions for a masters or doctorate program. Do admissions boards distinguish a BSN from a community college vs for profit degree mill vs full on university? Are online or brick-and-mortar classes given preferential treatment? I'm guessing that getting your undergrad at the same school where you plan to get your masters+ would help, but what else are admissions boards looking at?

I've felt plenty of gender bias. This semester we had OB clinicals, the majority of male students were given the day that our particular hospital 'never' has scheduled deliveries. I saw 1 delivery over 2 months! Our school also gave us a day as a school nurse. No male students got a local high school. Apparently we're too likely to try to hook up with a high school girl.