V.A. nursing salary start out- Dickering

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Hi all, I am new here. I noticed an older thread on this topic and read it but still have some questions. I noticed as well that there are more steps to the grade 1 I got hired in at than the older information that was posted. Here's the thing. I have been a psych nurse for 24 years. Yep, HARD CORE psych nurse who has worked in psych in about every capacity from inpatient to Assertive Community Treatment,to running psych med clinics, as well as working on a specialized team with a local university med clinic to engage chronically mentally ill, treatment resistant patients and several times on Community Mental Health comprehensive teams with a case load of 450 to me. I also have done quality assurance for one psych hospital on a volunteer basis, hitting our target for 2 years in a row and getting commendations for my work. I've frequently been charge nurse in various positions. Also worked with patients detoxing, substance abuse, taught classes, served as resource for nursing students and have done trauma and eatting d.o., adolescent, and geropsych. I have always been able to float around when working in psych hospitals or I would pursue the opportunity to do so.

I am only an ADN however about 8 classes short of my BSN but had to drop out to help put my kids thru college about 10 years back and never went back. Pay in my area is not real good for psych, but still I come with a lot of experience. I was offered grade 1 level 3 step 11..which I don't know if this is reasonable or not, reading the prior thread about ADN's entering the V.A. rarely coming in at grade 2. Does it feel disappointing to me now? ...yes.

However, my nursing record is not flawless to be truthful. Nothing to do with job performance, more like being too opinionated at times over patient care issues/policy change that impacted quality of care and safety for both patients and staff... and ticking off a manager as I did this. Yep, so I have been fired for this reason and learned my lesson..but this is on my work record with in that past 10 years.

Is there 2nd shift differential as well? Frankly I am ecstatic to be working for the V.A... a new field sort of, in mental health for me and I am eager to use the skills I have acquired and learn new ones. I have the opportunity to also cross train in extended care/ rehab and refresh some medical skills I haven't used in a long while. This is also a big plus to me. I said yes to HR not thinking this was negotiable. Haven't signed any papers yet...just verbally accepted the position. I know... stupid. I knew nothing of this grade system when I did. I have never been really good at this negotiating stuff...better at advocating for others.... It sure took enough to get in..whew!!

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You won't be able to negotiate anything regarding your level (Nurse 1, Level 3 is the highest your credentials will allow for boarding) but your step IS negotiable. Being 8 courses (so....at least 24 or more credits?) or one credit shy of a BSN is still not a BSN so...that won't matter at this point.

Would have been better to do the negotiating prior to accepting, so much will depend on the mood and climate of the facility itself. Since they've already invested the time thusfar, they'll likely at least listen :)

The VAMC cannot be the prevailing wage in the region, but they can match the highest one (if their own budget and desires allow). You can make a case based on your current job's recent pay stubs; if you are already being offered more than that it's unlikely you'll see more yet again. If they haven't offered you what you are currently making....shouldn't be a problem to submit it along with a request to have the NPSB review it. Keep in mind a review might take place in a day or two, or not for a couple of weeks; Standard Board meets when it meets.

Good luck!

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