VA NPs - advice?

[mom2cka]

Hello! I am interviewing for an NP position at my local VA (primary care) and am just looking to connect with current or former NPs who have worked in this environment to answer a few questions. I realize each location has its own quirks but looking for some general answers. Thanks in advance!

- Is there opportunity to pick up shifts (weekends or holidays) in other areas (Urgent care, rehab/subacute, etc)?

- With no CME allowances - do they offer APRN-focused learning opportunities or do you pay for these out of pocket?

- Do you tend to work with one or a team of LPNs or MAs in the clinic?

- How do you coordinate care with patients who receive care from multiple settings? (Currently it can be difficult where I'm at trying to get VA records for patient (local hospital/clinic)

- Is it relatively easy to change positions / specialties once you are in, should the initial position not be a good fit?

- What is one thing you wish you'd been told when going from a community hospital/clinic to the VA?

- Appreciate any advice or tips!! Thanks again!

[saorse15]

I work at the VA and I will try to answer your questions. In my VA, there is very limited opportunity for OT and it is in primary care on Saturdays. Education-the VHA has something called Valu university online and you can get some free CEUs that way.There is an allowance of $500 yr for CME, but it is a pain to get, however, I would try if it was supposed I really wanted to go to.

We work with case managers and LPNs in our clinic, sometimes they rotate to other clinics. We pull back our own patients.

Coordination of care is difficult with out of VA providers. I know a lot of these providers and that helps me to communicate with them.Having a relationship with outside providers is helpful, although some of my patients come from 2-3 hours away to see me.

It has been my experience that it is difficult for NPs to change positions at the VA. They prefer for there to be someone to take your position if you want to transfer within the same facility. It's actually easier to transfer to another VA. This may just be my VA, and it may be different elsewhere.

As to what I wish someone had told me, there are two. #1-the salary at my VA is not competitive , #2-nothing ever happens in a timely manner. . It does seem to take an act of Congress to get anything to change/happen.You will learn to be incredibly patient or go insane,lol

All that being said, I love working with the vets and do consider it a privilege.:)