Starting Salary for VA LPN

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My husband is just starting all the paperwork for the VA. I was curious to know where everyone started on the pay scale.

My husband has been working as an LPN since Dec. 2011....so it will be right around a year when he finally starts at the VA.

He will be working in mental health at the VA and has been working as an LPN in metnal health since April 2012 (so for 9 months by the time he starts at the VA).

Any info will be great. I am trying to figure out if it will be a pay cut for him to work at the VA.

Thanks

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Moved to VA Nursing for more response.

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tnbutterfly, I was just scanning the Virginia forum because that's where I am from. When I read this, I thought the OP was referring to the VA as in Veterans Affairs hospital, not Virginia. I could be wrong though. I hope I don't come off as being rude. My apologies if I do.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Moved to the Government/Military forum. :) Thanks!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Salaries at the VA vary depending on where the facility is located at. Generally VAsalaries start out on the low side for the area but over time end up beingbetter than what the local facilities are paying for the same experience.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Internal Medicine, Medical Speci.

With experience working for the Government. I know that if you get direct hired, it is your first time working with the Government and first job offer you can negotiate your salary with experience before you accept the salary they offer. Good Luck.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
With experience working for the Government. I know that if you get direct hired, it is your first time working with the Government and first job offer you can negotiate your salary with experience before you accept the salary they offer. Good Luck.

Not always since your packet goes before a board and says what your grade and step will be. Alot depends on how bad they need to fill the position if they will negotiate. When there was a shortage you do this more often but not as much today. A Psych NP will have a better chance negotiating then a LPN but if you don't try they you get what they offer.

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I just got seleced as a LPN to a locked down MH unit any advice if i start off on a high step?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
I just got seleced as a LPN to a locked down MH unit any advice if i start off on a high step?

Not sure what you mean by a "high step"? If you are talking about your salary it will depend on your experience.

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Not sure what you mean by a "high step"? If you are talking about your salary it will depend on your experience.

How does that work with military service? Does that count towards salary?

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How does that work with military service? Does that count towards salary?

If your job in the military is equivalent to the job at the VA you get credit for experience. And you can/may use your military time towards the retirement plan the VA has.

If you are a qualifying veteran you also receive hiring preference.

As for the GS or VA pay system someone else can explain it better but the basics are you are hired a pay grade usually somewhere between GS or VA 4 through 11 if you are not management. Each pay grade has steps. the steps can vary from 1 to 10. If you are a GS 6 step 5 you earn more than a GS 6 step 2.

There is also locality pay. It essentially works something like a cost of living allowance. Your Locality pay is going to be much better for San Francisco than it is for Bismarck ND.

2011 General Schedule (GS) Locality Pay Tables

USA Jobs is advertising LPN slots at GS 6 step 2 it looks like. Salary range is about $27K to $45K per year.

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My husband starts at the va in a few weeks. He was told he would be working rotating shifts. Day/ night. Does anyone have any experience with this? Also would he get paid the night premium on his night weeks?

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