VA Hospital - nursing program

lavendersapphire · Aug 26, 2009

I want to add the program VANEEP (as well as the other programs) are ONLY for VHA employees (those in the health system). And only if your medical center/hospital is approved for the program.

I work in the benefits administration (VBA) area and they told me that even though I'm a VA employee, I can't apply for that :cry: So I plan on applying for the VALOR program after my first year of NS.

Offroad · Aug 26, 2009

Given the current state of the economy it is likely these programs will close up again. Still if you are an employee (or prospective employee) you can take a chance. Not sure if other hospitals will pay for this.

Scooby-Dooby-Doo · Aug 27, 2009

My! I love the VA. My mom works there as a BSN-RN. I've volunteered for the VA in 2 branches, one in Houston, Texas and another at Palo Alto, California. I want to work as a nurse in Palo Alto though when I am done with nursing school. They even have a VERSANT program where new grads integrate as workers there!! I can't wait!

bluechick112, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 28, 2009

My mom works at the VA as a nurse manager MSN and I've been working as a SCEP student this summer just to get some more experience in the door. I plan to apply to the VALOR program next summer, although they only pay 80% of an RNs salary, not fully salary.

Meant2beRN · Aug 30, 2009

Sounds like a great option. I wish I could do that.

tracelc · Feb 11, 2010

Is there a way to find out which VA hospitals take part in this program? I just got hired on the VHA in the midwest, but I want to eventually (within a couple of years) move back to the Bay Area and that's where I'd like to attend nursing school and work for the VA afterward.

I'm trying to find out if this will be possible, but I'm having trouble finding a good contact person for this.

Also, I'm not so sure they will close down these programs even with the bad economy. The VA is competing with the private sector and all sectors are going through a nursing shortage that is expected to increase dramatically within the next decade.

Anyway, any information I can get here would be so very much appreciated!

socalsi · Feb 11, 2010

tracelc- the best way to find out if they are doing this program at your hospital is to contact the nursing education office. i found out that my va is still doing it, but it varies from hospital to hospital because of budget issues. best of luck.

tracelc · Feb 11, 2010

Thanks socalsi! I'll give the education office a try and see what I can find out. I'll post anything I do find out here in case anyone else is interested.

vnessa · Feb 26, 2010

I currently work for a VA Hospital (Veterans Administration - government hospital - best care anywhere!!). They have an interesting program to become an RN. They will pay FULL SALARY of a current employee, and they will pay for the program cost. All you need to do is commit to be a VA nurse.
Most programs are fully funded for 24 months.

hi Off Road, can you please tell me who to contact in regards do doing this?

LoveDogs2 · Sep 5, 2010

Any nurses out there working at VA hospitals- What is the retirement system at the VA? I hear rumors about retirement granted after so many years of working at the VA, is this true? Where can I find this information in writing? :smokin:

tracelc · Sep 5, 2010

i actually started working at the VA Hospital here in February and you can choose early retirement after 10 years. you won't get the full retirement pension, but some. if you're a vet with active duty time you can "buy back" your military time toward your retirement.

here is information from the federal government's Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website regarding retirement - FERS Retirement