VA Emergency Dept RNs

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.

Myself and my co-instructor just returned from Providence RI after doing a 2 day CEN reivew class. This was my first time getting to have VA ED RNs in one of my classes. I must say I was VERY impressed with them. While they may not get to "see and do it all", what they do get to see and have to deal with, AND how they do it is quite awesome.

From my background of only having worked in private (mostly for profit) hospitals - what they have at the VA makes one drop their jaw in astonishment. They have to deal with (on a daily basis) limited resources, limited staffing, a very limited budget as well. They are very resourceful and resilient!

I know lot's of the rest of us on the civilian side deal with the above issues also, but remember theirs is a system regulated completely by federal policy (oh yeah, and ALSO by the Joint Commission as well as CMS) and by the forever-screwed-up-federal-budget.

To me it's quite a shame that sometimes this is the best we can do to provide healthcare for "Those Who Have Served"....

So in the future, if you run across a VA RN - tell them "Thanks" for what they do - they are earning it DAILY and they couldn't be serving a more worthy population than those who laid it on the line for the REST OF US!

Good work guys!

PS: Best of luck on your upcoming CEN exams!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

How nice. I worked a total of 11 yrs for the government both as active duty enlisted and VA RN.

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Thanks for your post! I am a veteran and a nursing student. I volunteered at my local VA Hospital and you are right on with the conditions and budgeting. Then I visit there as a patient and I see a whole other side to it. It really is sad to see how our nation's veterans are treated, unfortunately we seem to be the first to get the "shaft" when budget cuts come down the line. But the people who work at the VA really make it a great place and do all they can with very little.

Our spirits are always high and there is nothing better then waiting around for 2 hours for a scheduled appointment but having a ton of other vets to share "sea stories" with. One of the most memorable things I saw at the VA was a guy in a wheel chair with no legs, using one arm to steer his electronic wheelchair and his other to push his buddy in their wheelchair. His buddy had no arms. That is what I call teamwork!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I considered my time with the VA and working in military hospitals as some of the best times of my life.

Vets ask for very little - they are eternally grateful.

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Specializes in Urology, Gyn, Family Practice, HBO.

I am currently working for the VA. I am not in the ED, I work on the Clinic side of it. I love working there. My patients have great stories and are a pleasure to take care of. It makes me feel good to know that I can give something back to the vets, past and present, for all they have done for our country. :redbeathe

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