Relocating to Georgia: VA specific

U.S.A. Georgia

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I am currently a nursing student. I graduate in May and want to move to Georgia to work for a VA hospital. Can anyone give me information about the VA hospitals in Decatur and Augusta? I am not sure which one I want to work at. I also want to become an army nurse and go back to school to become a CRNA.

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If you want to be an ARMY RN and go onto be a CRNA you may want to consider joining the Army now..you can wait until after you graduate to go to training. If you are graduating w/a BSN you would be commissioned as an officer right from school. There are also sign on bonuses and they would pay for the rest of your education. It wouldn't make much sense, to me, if this is the route you are sure you want to get a job in the private sector first then join - it would make more sense to join. You can find a local recruiter to talk to goarmy.com

As far as the VA, I don't think they hire new grads but I would be wrong..you would need to go to usajobs.gov and look at what's available and where. When you apply you have to follow the directions in the application to a "T" or your application will not go anywhere. It can take MONTHS up to a few YEARS so don't expect to hear something as quickly as you might at a local hospital. I also don't know how your living out of state would effect the process as most of the applications require you to submit a copy of your license and transcript. You could also call the VA and speak to someone in HR.

You can post your questions under the military/gov't thread on this site and also search VA for posts. Several of us are in the process of applying/getting hired at the VA so you can read about our path.

Good luck

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I know my option doesn't make since but a few recruiters told me that

1. If I sign on now, I will have to pass the physical fitness test (not possible right now)

2. If I sign on now, I will not be a nurse, I will be a soldier. It will take some time to make the switch.

3. The easiest route would be to take ROTC classes during school. I took one semester, but was not able to do any others because of my class schedule.

I talked to someone from the VA, they do hire new graduates and have a special program for new graduates. Also, when working in the VA as a nurse, I do not need a Georgia nursing license. I just need an active one in any state.

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