Hello,I was wondering if anyone can give me some insight on a clinical opportunity. My school has a program where we can do all of our clinicals at the VA Hospital (in Denver). Is this a good idea? I really want to work with vets, but I want to know if it's better to get more clinical exposure in different hospitals, rather than just one. Also, I believe we do our OB/GYN and Peds on different sites.Thanks!
la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN 1,260 Posts Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Aug 22, 2016 If you want to make sure you get a broad range of experiences during nursing school, then going VA-only might not be your best bet. If, however, you want to still work with veterans and see if the VA is your kind of place (and are in a BSN program) the VALOR program is one way to get a foot in the door and get major cred on your resume. It's highly competitive and first dibs go to student nurses who are veterans but it's still worth a try. It's something you'll want to start preparing for now so you stand a chance if that's the way you want to go. Nursing Students and Trainees - VA CareersPersonally, I'm glad I didn't have to do any rotations at the VA during nursing school. I got a huge range of experiences and it seemed like the people who did have to go to the VA either loved it or hated it. The VA is an ok place to have a career in nursing but there are a lot of changes happening right now as they move toward having APRNs become more independent in their practice to help with the staffing shortage and increased demand for services. (Loss of VA health-care providers worsens as demand for care goes up – The Denver Post) It's something you can follow throughout your time as a nursing student and, as you become more cognizant of the issues and benefits, you'll be in a much better position to decide if you want to commit to the VA as a career. For now, though, I would go the route that provides more variety. Good luck!
3peas 199 Posts Has 5 years experience. Aug 23, 2016 I think it's a great opportunity. You will see more and do more compared to other hospitals. VA's are teaching hospitals and give students more freedom than private hospitals or other university hospitals.
kktegan 80 Posts Aug 23, 2016 I recently did clinical at the VA hospital here in Houston. I was a really good experience. I learned a lot from the nurses and they patients were awesome!And yes, it is a teaching hospital. I was able to do a lot more there than I would have at another hospital.
jj224 371 Posts Specializes in Critical Care. Has 4 years experience. Aug 23, 2016 The VA is an AWESOME place to learn. Many many sick patients. You will get a lot of freedom to do things.
amm105 6 Posts Aug 26, 2016 Hello, and thanks for the replies, everyone. What makes you say that you were able to do more than you would have at another hospital?
kktegan 80 Posts Aug 26, 2016 Well because 1. it's a teaching hospital and the nurses are used to having students on the floor and 2. I had other classmates who were at well known magnet hospitals and the nurses were very weary of letting the students do things they were checked off to do such as subQ, IM injections and foley caths. So instead of utilizing the their skills they were making beds and sitting around for 10 hours. Not that making beds isn't a nursing skill because it is, but its something that we could practice outside of the clinical setting unlike injections on real people.
amm105 6 Posts Aug 26, 2016 Well because 1. it's a teaching hospital and the nurses are used to having students on the floor and 2. I had other classmates who were at well known magnet hospitals and the nurses were very weary of letting the students do things they were checked off to do such as subQ, IM injections and foley caths. So instead of utilizing the their skills they were making beds and sitting around for 10 hours. Not that making beds isn't a nursing skill because it is, but its something that we could practice outside of the clinical setting unlike injections on real people.Thanks kktegan! This is great insight. One more question, albeit one that's a little sensitive. Some of my coworkers (who are doctors) remarked that the nursing staff at the VA is a little... apathetic. Some mentioned it was because they "can't be fired," other said it made the culture stagnant. I take this with a grain of salt because I'm a student and have no idea what it's like to work on the floor yet, but did you experience this during your time at the VA?
jj224 371 Posts Specializes in Critical Care. Has 4 years experience. Aug 28, 2016 You'll see that attitude at any union hospital. I personally haven't come across it anymore than at every hospital (non union) I've worked at. The majority of VA employees love working with veterans and could make more money elsewhere, but choose to stay for the patient population. It is truly an honor to care for those that sacrificed for us.
