To be a NP at the VA...

[UMCSN4]

Should I do FNP or ACNP? I have applied to an Acute Care Adult/Geri NP program, but now have doubts if this is the right tract for me. I really don't want to do the higher level procedures, but I do prefer adults. My career plan is to work for the VA as an RN and continue through the BSN-DNP program, switching over to an NP position when I get to that point. As an older student (35 lol!), I want to do the VA route to go ahead and get a decent retirement that allows me options to relocate and maintain those benefits if I so choose. I would prefer a clinic position at the VA, but those are hard to come by. So I was thinking Acute Care would make me more marketable to the VA because I could also work as an NP at the Nursing Home/Hospital. I know that the basis for the Acute Care program is doing higher level procedures to critical care patients, but I read a study that stated 50% of acute care NPs work in specialty clinics, which is what I would prefer. It is so hard to know what the best route is! As I type this, it seems apparent that FNP is the better route, and just doing as much of the clinical in adult/geri sites as possible (NO desire to work with children). Does anyone have any input? Any NPs at the VA who can answer which path is more desirable?

[msmith]

I will be starting my last clinical rotation for ANP in a couple of weeks. I graduate this July. My last rotation is in primary care and I will be doing that at the VA. I've considered working there as an NP. I went in today to get fingerprinted. Is it easier to get an NP job there after having done NP clinicals there? I don't want to try to spend my time trying to get in there if it's going to be very difficult and unproductive. I'm just wondering what my chances are.

Right now, I work at their "sister" medical center right next door as an RN on their cardiothoracic unit. The VA is also going to be paying me for this clinical rotation so I was grateful for that opportunity. Was just wondering if others have had experiences doing NP clinicals there as well. Thanks.

[hrodgers]

Sandnnw - I would LOVE to talk to you! I've been an RN in the MICU in Gainesville, FL for almost 2 years and am very interesting in pursuing an ACNP degree. Just started exploring NNEI and other funding options through the VA and I'm already becoming somewhat disgruntled. Our NNEI coordinator said they are no longer funding for this track in our area, mainly only interested in CNL - but I thought this was a national scholarship program, not facility based!?! Regardless, I've started reaching out to other VA's near ACNP programs to see what options they offer. Where are you from again and which VA supported you? Were you required to work the 3 years afterwards at that specific VA? I'm hearing conflicting stories about this whole thing and speaking to someone who has successfully gone through the process would be incredible! Was it ever such a pain that you wished you had just paid for it yourself? Hope to hear back from you, thanks!

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

I just entered NNEI. They will fund NP. It requires a letter from your Service Line head that there will be an anticipated need for NP. I had absolutely no problem getting that for my psychiatric NP program.

[hrodgers]

Interesting...where do you work at? To apply for NNEI, is it 1 or 2 years (after boarding date) that you have to have been an employee with the VA? Are you required to work at least part time while in school? And is the VA that's funding you where you'll be expected to work afterward? Do they have many open NP positions in your area, or do they just create one for you after you graduate and are licensed? Any of this info would be greatly appreciated, thanks so much!