VA hospital

Hoozdo, ADN · Jul 1, 2008

Is it true that VA hospitals have higher salary than other hospitals?

No, it is not true. I started there in Jan 2006 as an ADN RN making a measly 18.50 an hour. If you have a BSN it was about a buck more. They do have a very good new grad orientation though - six full months.

groovy jeff, RN · Jul 1, 2008

If you are a Veteran or have prior federal government employment they include your time of service. One of the guys, a veteran, that just graduated from our NS went there and started at a higher wage and has 5 weeks vacation per year.

elkpark · Jul 1, 2008

When I worked at a VA hospital quite a few years ago, they did not offer significantly higher salaries than other facilities in the area, but they did have much better benefits.

vikichck · Jul 1, 2008

Thanks for the input! I finally got a hold of someone at the nurse recruitment office there. They told me it was 27/hr days, 30.47/hr nights, 34.62/hr weekends, 37.39/hr nights and weekends. 8000 first year of work there tuition reimbursement and by the end of 5 yrs they reimburse 43,000. I thought it was weird when they told me usually they give 48,000 but since their budget is down they lowered it to 43,000. That still sounds really good for a new grad in Phoenix.

I called Banner Thunderbird and they start at only 25/hr and no tuition reimbursement. I bet their benefits aren't as great either. I'm still waiting for someone to call me back from scottsdale health care. I'm thinking since it's scottsdale they will have good base pay for BSN.

Well, I'll keep you updated because I'm sure this info will be helpful for many new grads.

Jels

groovy jeff, RN · Jul 2, 2008

I would like to know where you end up at over at the VA; I've heard that they are really pushing folks towards the long term care facility. Keep us informed and good luck!

boomerfriend · Jul 5, 2008

Hey, 27/hr is great even if they put you in LTC. You can always transfer to another area later. The VA would be an awesome place to work. I started at 24/hr just this year as a new grad at another valley hospital. Take what they offer you if you want to work with the vets. I was down to pediatrics or the VA. Peds won for me. I'd be working at the VA if they took care of kids :)

:usarfrc:

MsBruiser · Jul 5, 2008

Hey, 27/hr is great even if they put you in LTC. You can always transfer to another area later. The VA would be an awesome place to work. I started at 24/hr just this year as a new grad at another valley hospital. Take what they offer you if you want to work with the vets. I was down to pediatrics or the VA. Peds won for me. I'd be working at the VA if they took care of kids :)
:usarfrc:

LTC is run by the state Department of Veterans Services (AZ STATE VET HOSPITAL - shares the campus with VA). Does VA have its own LTC within its hospital?

smithl32 · Jul 6, 2008

...I know you are looking in AZ (I will be moving there after graduating next week) but the VA home here in IL pays quite nicely. The benefit pkg is wonderful, they pay for ongoing education and even help pay off student loans. I was actually considering working for a VA facility in AZ.

Hoozdo, ADN · Jul 7, 2008

LTC is run by the state Department of Veterans Services (AZ STATE VET HOSPITAL - shares the campus with VA). Does VA have its own LTC within its hospital?

Yes, it is on the first floor of the hospital.

The AZ State Veteran's Hospital is next door to the VA. The VA nursing home is federally funded. The one next door is state funded.

inthesky · Jul 7, 2008

VA in Tucson pays significantly more than other area hospitals.

Staric · Jul 13, 2008

Also with the VA; if you get hired in AZ under your AZ licence- You can transfer to any VA hospital in the country- under your AZ licence.. That is great if youare interested in traveling.. They also give 5 weeks vavcation after the first year.. They just hired 14 new grads...