VA long beach hospital

tinatinabobina · May 29, 2008

I'm also waiting to hear some insight on this hospital. Anyone? =)

patos1984 · Jul 7, 2008

i worked as a VALOR (VA learning opportunity residency) for my thrid and fourth year nursing school. i interned in the ED at the VA medical center in sacramento, ca

i got an email from the dean of my nursing program.... i dont know too much about this program in southern california as each VISN (division) of the VA has their pwn programs.

the VA has different departments. nurses work under the VHA (veteran health administration). they VA has amazing benies if you get hired full time. 5 weeks paid vacation your first year on board. 2 weeks paid sick leave and 10 paid holidays per year as well. they also match 5% to your 401K. the down side is the medical benefits aren't that great and the salary isn't too competative at first (the pay gets higher as you accrue years experience)

the VA basically takes care of all veterans that are "service connected". the sicker you are the more "connected" the vet becomes and the more the VA pays for. as far as i know, the VA isnt for veterans families or anything like that.

the VA has a unique patient population. mostly white older males between 50-80. they are really complex. usuallly multi-system. CHF, CRF, HTN, DMII, with wither PTSD or dementia. and maybe even a pressure sore. so they are tuff people to take care of in the inpatient setting. but its fun and the vets are really friendly and are appreciative for the most part.

my internship was great. i had full scope of practice with the supervision of a buddy RN. i could start IVs, do ekgs, even push emergency cardiac medications like IV cardiazem or adenosine. i did it all

the pay was also great. i was paid 80% nurse I step I (about $26/hr) and worked in contracted hours (200 per semester and 400 per summer).

i would contact the clinical educator at your local VA and ask for the educator and ask for their VALOR program opportunities. they usually apply each april and start late may early june.

i graduated last december and passed the NCLEX in janurary. i work full time at Kaiser Sacramento ED and work per diem at the ED for the VA.

Surgical1968 · Sep 22, 2008

Anyone know how VA Long Beach pays for on call or standby pay for the Operating Room? Do they pay 1/3 of your hourly rate for on-call or is it done differently. I heard they paid 1/3 in San Francisco and was wondering if all VA Medical Centers are the same. Thanks.