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.
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.
It can get you some seniority, it all depends on the VA a d what you did in the service.
I did just get my BSN, but I've been an RN for over 7 years and an LPN for 1.5 years prior to that. Being told that I am Grade I, Level 3, Step 7. Also, the pay range for current positions is $53,493-$101,188. When I applied, the starting salary was around $50,700 but they've been on a hiring freeze for quite some time now. Considering what the starting salary is though, it still seems like a very low offer considering I'm boarded at less than $3,000 more than a new grad w/ an ADN gets.
I don't know when they asked for reconsideration or if they asked for a specific salary. Reading that thread may help with that info. I would probably ask the person who made the offer how the salary was determined and let him/her know you feel it is low. Ask if it is negotiable and whether you can provide more info on your experience to ask for reconsideration of a higher salary.
I don't know what your background or certifications are but unless things are directly related to RN experience , VA usually does not care. A Bachelor's or Master's in a field unrelated to healthcare mean nothing for most RN jobs. A re-evaluation of salary and boarding will definitely take more time and won't happen in just a couple days. The board has to meet to review it, if they even decide to review and consider higher salary.
Do you know any that you work with that has done or has examples that they had to submit to the VA on how to do the nine dimensions of nursing practice?
When I started in Erie back in '05 it was a couple of months from start to finish. I am returning to the VA after my time on active duty (had to resign because was on AD greater than 5 years) and it took around a month and a half for the tentative offer and still waiting for the VA to schedule my physical etc.
jeckrn, BSN, RN
1,868 Posts
It can get you some seniority, it all depends on the VA a d what you did in the service.