VA Case Management

Specialties Case Management

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Good afternoon all!

I applied for a case manager position at the VA, can anyone tell me about the job? I rarely see any openings for case mangement with the VA, which is possibly a good sign. Can you tell me the pros and cons. I have 12 years experience as a nurse with about 5 years being a case manager. I would really like some insight on the job as well as the salary..room for negotiation and things of that nature. Thanks in advance.

Good afternoon.

I am in the South, and hopefully the salary is in the mid range of 80k, at least that is what I am expecting..fingers crossed. I don't know anyone who is in case mangement or who previously worked in case mangement, so the information that you all are providing is very very helpful!! I truly appreciate it.

I will definately ask about the uniform allowance if it is not volunteered. I live 66 miles away from the location...which is only 4 miles short of the 70 for reimburses...what a bummer.?

I know you mention 2 weeks of orientation. Is that about the specific job role of case mangement or is that just general information regarding benefits, overall operation of VA etc. Thanks and if there is anything else your think of and can share about the specific role of case mangement...please share. Thanks again!

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The uniform allowance I know is given to nurses that work the floor and also the "CBOCs" but I don't know about CM but ask.

The orientation is 2 weeks of general, the 3rd week is nursing orientation which you may be required to attend all or some, after that will be whatever orientation is specific to your job and that may not be where you will be actually working. For instance, where I worked a nurse was hired to work mental health (outpatient clinic), she had 2 weeks of general orientation, 1 week of nursing, then 3 weeks to her job - all 90 miles one way - (I think I said 70 in an earlier post but it's 90 miles from where we worked to the main hospital where everything takes place). She was not aware of this until AFTER she accepted the position and quit her other job so she had no choice - she was also a single parent so she had to drive it every day. The orientation is LONG and getting payroll, computer access, badges etc is a PAIN. It took HOURS to get simple small things done. So be prepared. Also, if there is an uptown division and a downtown division as some VA's have, you may go back and forth on the same day for things. It's not like orientation at a private hospital. You will still get mileage and meals - or should - so ask HR upfront about that - you will have to submit for it after it's all over and again it will take weeks to get it approved/paid and you will need to check on the status weekly. As far as a hotel, I don't think they will pay for one that close to the facility but you can ask.

You should hit mid to high 80's on salary. I can't imagine you wouldn't. I made a little over 94K but between taxes and the mandatory retirement I came out about what I was making when I worked another job at less a salary. Overall, for me, the VA was just not worth the constant stress - even for the money - it was way different that any other place I worked and after the last time I knew for sure I wouldn't go back. But again, your experience may end up being vastly different.

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Specializes in Case Management.

Following this post...Started at the VA in April as an Inpatient Care Coordinator. I have 25+ years experience including case management. It is a new position but the duties described was similar to case management in private hospital. Orientation was expedited and conducted virtually due to covid. I chose to get back into the VA because you can't match the retirement, benefits and they will pay for me to get my MSN.

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Specializes in Nursing Informatics, Home Health, Telehealth.
On 9/25/2020 at 5:27 PM, wkndsupervisor said:

Following this post...Started at the VA in April as an Inpatient Care Coordinator. I have 25+ years experience including case management. It is a new position but the duties described was similar to case management in private hospital. Orientation was expedited and conducted virtually due to covid. I chose to get back into the VA because you can't match the retirement, benefits and they will pay for me to get my MSN.

How are you liking your CM role? I am considering taking on this role at my local VA. How is the workload? Are you able to work remote? Thank you!

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Happy to read all the comments. I'm new to case management but with the VA system for more than 5 years. 

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On 8/18/2022 at 11:30 AM, integrativenurse said:

Happy to read all the comments. I'm new to case management but with the VA system for more than 5 years. 

I'd like to ask if you feel the VA is worth it, compared to other jobs you may have had.  I"m assuming you worked non-government jobs?  I always see the outside sector seems to pay more than the VA.   I always hear the VA benefits can't be beat.  But can they?  I guess I'd just like to know your opinion, is less pay and the benefits outweigh going to work for the private sector?

Also, not sure if you would know this, is it easy to transfer from state to state?

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Mergirlc said:

I'd like to ask if you feel the VA is worth it, compared to other jobs you may have had.  I"m assuming you worked non-government jobs?  I always see the outside sector seems to pay more than the VA.   I always hear the VA benefits can't be beat.  But can they?  I guess I'd just like to know your opinion, is less pay and the benefits outweigh going to work for the private sector?

Also, not sure if you would know this, is it easy to transfer from state to state?

Truly sorry, I barely log in. Anyway, I always see that non-VA nurses get paid higher than us. However, I'm very happy here. Now, just like anything else, a nurse may end working on a *** unit with *** co-workers, and with *** shifts. I see turnover here on both nurses and doctors. Remember, one VA doesn't reflect the rest of the system. 

I now work M-F, bankers hours, that's my choice for me and it works well with my family life (dogs, wife, and kids love my schedule). I feel like a normal person.

It seems like we always get a yearly raise. Again, I can't speak for regular places. I've also worked as a staff nurse in dialysis in private sector then became the administrator. I'm making more now as a VA employee than in there. 

Overall, I'm really glad that I'm working at the VA. I guess I should mention that I'm a veteran.

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