VA Hospitals

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

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?

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

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.

[deliverator, MSN, RN, NP]

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.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I see. Thank you both! I am currently an RN at a VA hospital but thinking about possible destinations in a few years. Lifestyle wise I would say Im not a city guy, suburbs or somewhere with some space would be more my style.

[NSDQ739]

Hello!

Are all the floors at the LA area VA's run 3x12 hour shifts one week then 3x12+8 the next week?

Thanks!

[deliverator, MSN, RN, NP]

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]

Does the VA abide by the CA ratio laws?