VA CRNA's

allnurses Guide · Feb 8, 2012

Hey all,
Any CRNA's here work for the VA hospital system?
If so can you share your experience as far as your autonomy, benefits, disadvantages of working at the VA as opposed to other hospital systems?
I am currently applying to CRNA school, so I wouldn't be a practicing crna for a few years. However, my dad just got a job as an OR nurse at the VA and loves the benefits. He told me I should look into it, so just wanted to get some insight. Thanks for any responses!

I did a rotation through the DC VA, so my knowledge is limited from that rotation and the research I did into looking at being a CRNA through the VA. 1. The pay is usually way below national/local averages (see usajobs.gov) 2. Except for the retirement benefits are on par or below what you can get at many other CRNA jobs (see gaswork.com for comparison), and 3. The VA positions are all 100% supervised by anesthesiologists as far as I know.

loveanesthesia · Feb 8, 2012

I think it depends on the particular VA. I have a friend who practices in a VA. She has a lot of autonomy (does her own lines and blocks) although I believe it is an ACT. Her employer is not the VA but she is employeed by a private group based out of a nearby University with a residency. Salary and benefits of the group are competitive.

IHeartDukeCTICU · Feb 9, 2012

Thanks for the info guys! If I get into my first choice of programs, I'll rotate through a VA, so I'll be able to get more hands on experience. I haven't totally discounted working for the VA but I will really have to look into it in comparison to other opportunities.

raininghere · May 4, 2012

I rotated through a VA and although the pay is (probably) lower, I loved it. The patients were a gem, you had a decent amount of autonomy and ability to do your own spinals/epidurals (where I'm from that's unusual), and the teamwork mentality was great.