Need help finding Title 38 pay schedules? I stumbled across this today for anyone who needs it: Title 38 Pay Schedules

If you know your VA's station number you can look up the pay scale in the first section or you can look up the state in the section below.

Grade 01 = Nurse I

Grade 02 = Nurse II and so on

Nurse I, Level 2 pay starts at Step 03 and Level 3 starts at Step 05.

As a new grad with a BSN, I started as a Nurse I, Level 2, Step 05.

Hope this helps!

Specializes in Research.
Mergirlc said:

Just curious....several months as in 2 mos.?  Or 6 or more ? 

It took about 5-6 months. Though I think it typically doesn't take that long for most people (others I've spoken to said it was more like  2-3 months for them).

Specializes in Cardiology/Case Management.
Mary Eunice said:

I think it is definitely possible you could start at Nurse/Grade 2, but I don't think it is guaranteed. 

Is there a job listing for the position? I ask because sometimes on those it will list the Grade on the payscale that the job falls under (but not the Step which is determined later by the review board based on your experience and how well you selled yourself in your application).

Also, in case you don't know, the VA is notorious for being slow when it comes to the hiring process. From the time I found out I got the job to  the I got the formal offer (after the review board determined what my pay would be) was several months. 

Thank you for your response! I do not have a job posting I originally applied for a different position however the hiring manager wanted to direct hire me for PACT RN Care Manager position. So she has sent me to be direct hired and HR will contact me, it has been a month and no response from HR yet, however my manager stated they are still working on it so we shall see. Hopeful starting salary will be at least grade 2 for me. ?

Specializes in Pediatrics/ED/critical care/quality improvement.

Thinking of applying for position at VA...23 years RN exp, BSN, CEN, CPEN, CPN, hRO trainer, pediatric ICU/ED, adult ED, heart transplant, quality improvement specialist w/ regulatory exp, state EMSC advisory board, published, multiple unit/department projects (designed simulations, taught classes, super user, preceptor,  competencies, QI initiatives). No MSN. Nurse 2 or 3?

Specializes in Research.
Eskilesrn said:

Thinking of applying for position at VA...23 years RN exp, BSN, CEN, CPEN, CPN, hRO trainer, pediatric ICU/ED, adult ED, heart transplant, quality improvement specialist w/ regulatory exp, state EMSC advisory board, published, multiple unit/department projects (designed simulations, taught classes, super user, preceptor,  competencies, QI initiatives). No MSN. Nurse 2 or 3?

I think it really just depends on how well you write up your application and show how your experience satisfies the "nine dimensions" of nursing.

I'm job offer letter, what does the AD mean in "Registered Nurse-AD- 0610-02"? 

Specializes in Care Coordination, General Surgery, Oncology.

It's the pay system. From the OPM website:
"Some pay plan codes, such as AD, may be used by any agency with an independent authority to administratively determine the rates of pay for any group or category of employees. Each agency must follow its own unique statutory pay authority when setting and adjusting pay under an AD pay system."

Most VA nurses are under VN--I think that AD usually designates part-time nurse positions. 

Specializes in Research.

 

Ashley Golden said:

I'm job offer letter, what does the AD mean in "Registered Nurse-AD- 0610-02"? 

AD refers to the payscale you are on. It stands for Administratively Determined and is used for misc job types, e.g., it is used for those who are doing a postdoc at the VA. 

Specializes in ED/Peds/Occ Health.
Happynurse12 said:

Does the VA offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit? I can't find anything online.

That would be considered EDRP if I'm not mistaken. You can find EDRP (education repayment plan/program) jobs on USAJOBS by just searching EDRP. It's VA specific on what is really need at that VAMC or that VISN. Currently, there's a lot of Texas VA's and there were recently a bunch of Indian Health Service positions like that as well. If you have your NP or especially your MHNP, you might be able to get a service chief to talk it up to the director to get EDRP specifically for you. 

Specializes in ED/Peds/Occ Health.

Along the pay lines, does anyone know of someone who has under 5 years of experience, that has fought for higher starting pay at their accepted facility? 

Example, local hospitals in area are all union, most have starting pay at $40+/hr, with full time at 2080 hours over $85k a year, while local VA Clinics and MC's starting pay is $73K. Which is a HUGE difference in pay. 

Is it typically often they allow someone to argue with an offer letter to a super adjacent hospital that's paying that much higher of a difference? Like requesting that you start at a N1 Step 7 which would be the equiv pay? Or have people seen they're most likely told to pound sand? 

I get the benefits are worlds different,  but to sacrifice over $10k to start and onward... that's a lot. 

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