VA Nurse Pay Scales

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Sounds like you are working at the Bath VA. If you go to Title 38 Pay Schedules - Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) it will tell you the pay scale for every VA and CBOC in the system. A N2S2 does sound low for your experience but how you are graded is more than just experience, its putting that experience on paper. The nursing board likes to see numbers, not just a generalized summary of your experience.

[kathy48]

I think degrees and knowing someone in leadership gets you promoted but the initial pay scale is according to nursing experience and meeting criteria so like an RN in Califoria may start at 90,000 which is good for a Nurse 1

[Graduatenurse14]

I JUST stumbled upon some positions at my local VA System and came here to look for info like this!! Thank God for AN!!!

[keshia02]

Thank you sooooo much for that link. I've worked at the VA hospital for 7 years and I have yet to be able to get access to real time nursing pay scale for Arkansas. Thanks a million.!!!!!!!!!!

[Pairofshues]

I have a question about the Nurse Locality Pay Schedule (Title 38 Pay Schedules - Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)) what does the number under Level 2 or Level 3 mean?

Example if you go to the link, click on Nurse Locality Pay Schedule, click Texas, the first line is Houston Registered Nurse,

what does the '3' under level 2 or the '5' under the level 3 mean?

Thanks for the info!

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Pairofshues said:

Is there a set shift diff $ or % for VA Nurses or does the differential differ among VA facilities / locations?

I had heard it was 10% night diff and 25% weekend diff...is this correct?

Also does all the VA hospitals use the same computer and EMAR charting system? If so what program is it?

Thanks for the info!

-All VA facilities use the same computer systems.

-The night diff is 10% and it covers 2nd & 3rd shifts. There is no difference between the 2 like some civilian facilities. Weekend diff is 25% only for Sundays by federal regulations but the VA pays it for Sat. & Sun.

-Depending on which VA you work for and what department there can also be another diff. The VA I worked at had a 7% diff if you worked inpatient or ED. Straight Mon-Fri positions were not paid this.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Pairofshues said:

Thanks jeckrn!!

I noticed you said 2nd and 3rd shift, so do the nurses in the hospital setting work 8 hour shifts or is it 12 hour shifts?

....I will be on a med/surg/tele floor at the dallas VA hospital.

It depends on the facility. The one I worked at only had 8 hour shifts when I started and when I left it had a mix of 12 & 8 hour shifts. I would work a combination of 8 & 12 hour shifts to get 80 hours per pay period. Sometimes it would be 6 12's & 1 8 others it would be 4 &4.

[amw79]

Can somebody help me figure out my potential pay grade? I've scoured the web but am still unclear....I would be starting at the VA hospital in Tampa as a new grad with a BSN (no experience)...I also have 5 points for prior military service (not sure if this affects the pay determination it may only figure into the hiring process)....I read an earlier comment about a new grad BSN being a Nurse 1 level 2 step 5? I'm not sure how they determine the steps...please help! thanks

[pfchang]

Every VA determines your initial offer differently. There is no consistency from one facility to another. There is no pay increase for prior military service. Military service gets you points in the interview and selection process but not in salary determination.

[amw79]

After speaking with a recruiter, I've figured out that I would be a nurse 1 level 2 as a BSN with no experience...I still am unsure about what step I would come in as?

[kerbear1969]

Pairofshues said:

I have a question about the Nurse Locality Pay Schedule (Title 38 Pay Schedules - Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)) what does the number under Level 2 or Level 3 mean?

Example if you go to the link, click on Nurse Locality Pay Schedule, click Texas, the first line is Houston Registered Nurse,

what does the '3' under level 2 or the '5' under the level 3 mean?

Thanks for the info!

I've found out recently what this means, it means for instance Grade 1 then look to right at steps, the numbers 3 under level 2 mean level 2 wound start at step 3 the number 5 under level 3 means the level 3 nurse would start at step 5 and move up in steps based on a NUMBER of factors of which I'm going through now. Hope that makes sense

[katRN410]

I was wondering if it seems reasonable for an RN with a BSN degree and over seven years experience to be offered a little over $56,000/year salary at the VA? Seems way too low from what I've heard in the past. Being offered a Grade I when I should be a Grade II according to my education and experience. Just heard that numerous people are being lowballed on their offers d/t number of applicants. Please help with any insight.