VA New Employee ?

Specialties Government

Published

Hello Allnurses,

I'm super excited and yet very nervous to be joining the VA team next month. I don't have any experience on med/ surg so I'm starting as a blank slate. If any VA nurses are out there could anyone tell me how orientation is generally set up. How are weekends, holidays, and time off usually scheduled. Do you schedule yourself/ does the nurse manager schedule staff. What are the stipulations during the 2 year probationary period, that seems like such a long time. Any advice, information, recommendations are all appreciated.

Thanks in advance :)

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Orientation, scheduling etc. at the VA is like any other hospital, it varies from floor to floor & VA to VA.

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Wife&mommy,

Can you tell me how the interview process works for the VA? How long was the process from start to finish?

Thanks,

AndyRN

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Never mind...I found the thread where you provided detailed information about the VA process. Keep up posted!!!!

AndyRn

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I received a phone call today with the "firm" offer today. I was wondering if anyone had any idea of what the shift differential pay is? I am very excited about the opportunity. Does anyone have any ideas?

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Aaaahhhhh.. Im still waiting for a start date ..

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

The VA I worked at it was 12% for evenings & nights.

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My VA orientation was total of 2 weeks (M-F 7:30-4). One week of hospital orientationand one week of general nursing orientation. Then I had 2 weeks of unit orientation.

As an RN, you get 26 days of paid annual leave, 13 days of paid sick leave, and 10 paid federal holidays. If you are a military reservist, you get paid 3 weeks of military leave (15 days of pay). If you work more than 4 hours of off-duty hours, your entire time that day is considered off-duty shift, and it is 10% more). The weekend differential is 25%. So if you work weekend evening or night, you get 35% more.

The pay system is from Nurse I through Nurse V. If you are a new graduate, you will be nurse I. There is step scale from Step 1 through step 15.

Angela

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Angela,

I know it has been a while since you wrote this post but I was wondering how you liked working for the VA? I'm a veteran myself and was wondering if this was something that a new nurse would enjoy immediately following graduation.

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