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I don't work for a VA hospital, but looked into it. The VA hospitals provide cost of living differential based on where the hospital is. With that, the salary + benefit package is generally comparable to the private sector. The salary is a bit less, but the benefits are much better than a typical private sector job. Pay ranges are available online along with location pay differentials.
I work at the VA in Long Beach as an RN. 7+ years, currently making over $100k. It depends on your lifestyle and where you choose to live. The pay is pretty good compared to the cost of living. I live in Orange County near the beach, so cost of housing is definitely more than other areas. I don't know if we will be getting a COLA raise this year due to Trump wanting to cut federal pay raises across the board.
I am an NP and work in a private family practice clinic part time and make less than what I make as an RN at the VA. Want to get into Aesthetic Medicine as an NP, something the VA doesn't offer.
Schedules are done on a biweekly basis, not weekly. You can place your days wherever you want as long you complete the 80 hours in the 2 week period. The manager puts out the final schedule based on your requests. You won't always get the days you want, but you can always switch days with co-workers.
OUxPhys, BSN, RN
1,203 Posts
Hello!
Does anyone work at any of the VA hospitals in CA? If so how so you like? How is pay compared to the cost of living?