Members are discussing the hiring process and potential pay grades for nursing positions at the VA, with some sharing their experiences of long wait times and varying offers. Questions about salary scales, job postings, and negotiation strategies are also being raised, along with inquiries about tuition reimbursement and educational benefits for VA employees.
Your offer will vary depending on the facility. Some facilities pay boards will lowball you and some will put you in the appropriate grade.
You should be probably maxed out at Grade II Step 12 or at least close to the max step (I've seen a facility go up to Step 14) assuming you're talking about 30 years as an RN.
Wow. Thanks. Lowball you? "Depending on the facility" ? Don't they have to follow the grade, step, level displayed on their website? I'm applying to Hines VA in Maywood, IL.
Also, any tips as to how to get hired? I am a very good nurse with a lot of experience (30 yrs). Not sure what criteria they look for exactly.
One other thing, do employees of the VA get any tuition credit or benefits if for example I wanted to get my MSN?
VA has educational programs that I believe roll around on a yearly cycle that you can apply for and will offer tuition assistance/scholarships. I don't know of many people on it so I'm not sure how accessible it is.
Nothing special about applying. Just realise the process takes months usually. For my first VA job I waited about 9 months from initial application to first day of work. For my second VA job, I waited about 7 months. After your interview, if you are accepted, you'll get a Tentative Offer and then a Firm Offer.
Yes, in general, they SHOULD use those guidelines to determine your placement; however, because it's the VA, you may not have that experience at some VAs. My VA did and I was pleased with my offer. Best thing to do is just apply and not worry about it. Just see what they offer and go from there. I'm not sure if they allow for negotiation.
And sometimes job postings are pretty opaque. If multiple job openings exist that you're interested in, apply for all of them. See which one gets a response first. Some VAs are very good about responding quickly. Some are not. You may wait a little while to hear back for an interview. I think I waited a couple months before hearing back for some of my applications. And in other cases, I was contacted within a week.
Can anyone help decipher the pay scale for a BSN, RN with 20 years experience in San Antonio, TX ?
Really it comes down to how you write your 5 dimensions. Definitely Google some examples. Generally, you need an MSN to get Nurse 3. You're might be looking at Nurse 2 step 3? Really it's a guess and very subjective.
Specializes in MICU, CCU, CVICU, Medical/Surgical, Nursing Admin.
OK. With a BSN, you are looking at a Nurse 2. With Nurse 2, there are 12 steps...one of which you will be put on. For instance, you may be a Nurse 2, Step 6 (or whatever you are brought in at). To understand what pay you may get, you can visit the Title 38 pay scales VA website for Texas here - https://www.VA.gov/OHRM/Pay/2024/LPS/TX.xls.
When you open it, look down the first column and go to 671 (for San Antonio). If you are going to work at the main hospital campus and not a clinic in another city, then only look at 671 (not with additional letters behind it). Then, look for the registered nurse pay scale, then look for Nurse 2. This will show you what Steps 1-12 pay are. The link is to 2024 rates. Please note that the US President issued a 1.7% increase to each pay step for 2025 rates.
The step is going to be determined by the manager based on several different things...years of experience is just one. Some facilities (very few) grant waivers to Nurse 3. I am not sure if San Antonio does this...but I would not bet on it.
With 20 years of RN experience, not including other things like NA, and having a BSN, a nurse on grade II or III gets an automatic step raise every 2 years (assuming you don't get a Dissatisfactory rating on a performance eval). This would mean Nurse II Step 10. You might be lucky enough to get placed as high as a Nurse 2 Step 10 but will probably be placed lower than that. Every VA boards differently. My last VA lowballed hardcore. I came back to the VA later at another VA and their offer was great. I wasn't allowed to negotiate either so you may just have to take what is offered or keep applying elsewhere.
It's always helpful if you have done charge nurse. Preceptorship, supervisory or house coverage, and projects with data and outcomes. Add that to your packet, they will give you points towards your salary quote if they can. It may boost you a couple steps (each step is 2k)
Thanks. I have been charge nurse on my floor for many years. I also precepted new nurses for many years as well. I will include that in my "packet". By the way, what is a "packet"?
Thanks. I have been charge nurse on my floor for many years. I also precepted new nurses for many years as well. I will include that in my "packet". By the way, what is a "packet"?
Put it clearly on your resume, the recruiter may also give you another form to add work experience. Make sure you add it! (Charge, precepting, projects you did, the outcomes), they want to give you the highest quote and all these things will help you get more money.
CodeBrownResponder
14 Posts
Your offer will vary depending on the facility. Some facilities pay boards will lowball you and some will put you in the appropriate grade.
You should be probably maxed out at Grade II Step 12 or at least close to the max step (I've seen a facility go up to Step 14) assuming you're talking about 30 years as an RN.