VA Nurse Pay Scales

What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

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.

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!

Nurse 1, step 1, looks like 51k.

Specializes in ER psych.

I have a BSN with 5 years of nursing experience after getting my BSN. I was just offered Level I, grade 3 step 8 at approx . 95k in San Diego ER. This is a per diem/part time spot. I'm curious why I wasn't given Level II?

Specializes in Nursing Informatics, Home Health, Telehealth.

Does anyone here know what happens when an RN obtains their NP pay wise? I am a nurse III step 2, but am going back to school for my NP. Does my grade start over as an NP, or do I keep my nurse III status? Thank you!

kristykat said:

Stumbled across this today for anyone who needs it:

https://www.VA.gov/OHRM/Pay/

Hi there, just curious, what was your credentials? I am a new grad and I am starting as a Nurse 1, Level 2, Step 03 so I'm curious to know what I could have done to get a higher step.

Specializes in NP / USAFR Flight Nurse.
On 4/17/2019 at 9:19 PM, JENFKB said:

Does anyone here know what happens when an RN obtains their NP pay wise? I am a nurse III step 2, but am going back to school for my NP. Does my grade start over as an NP, or do I keep my nurse III status? Thank you!

You will start your position as the same step and grade, just on the NP scale. Your first proficiency will be 1 year later and most NPs become nurse III at that time if they are involved in committees and such. It is still considerably less than the community pays for NPs though. I had offers for well over $30K more that I turned down to stay with the VA.

Specializes in Nursing Informatics, Home Health, Telehealth.
20 hours ago, PioneerRN said:

Hi there, just curious, what was your credentials? I am a new grad and I am starting as a Nurse 1, Level 2, Step 03 so I'm curious to know what I could have done to get a higher step.

As a new grad (BSN), you are going to start at that level. I don't think there is anything you could have done because you don't have experience. What you can do now is focus on getting your Nurse 2 by joining committees, doing in-services, projects, etc. Good luck!

Specializes in Nursing Informatics, Home Health, Telehealth.
20 hours ago, Danish said:

You will start your position as the same step and grade, just on the NP scale. Your first proficiency will be 1 year later and most NPs become nurse III at that time if they are involved in committees and such. It is still considerably less than the community pays for NPs though. I had offers for well over $30K more that I turned down to stay with the VA.

Thank you! I too would like to stay with the VA - dispite the low pay :( . What department do you work?

Specializes in Care Coordination, General Surgery, Oncology.
On ‎6‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 6:43 AM, JENFKB said:

As a new grad (BSN), you are going to start at that level. I don't think there is anything you could have done because you don't have experience. What you can do now is focus on getting your Nurse 2 by joining committees, doing in-services, projects, etc. Good luck!

If you work at a VA as an SNT or VALOR student, or sometimes even as a CNA before getting hired as an RN, they will start you higher depending on the committee that boards you. I started as a new grad RN at L2 S5, but had done a VALOR externship at a different VA and my capstone at another different VA.

Hey guys! Finally done with the process and received my salary 83,375!! But it’s prorated for 32 hours part time. It’s a night position 8 hours. Anyone know what the salary will end up being?

Thankyou!!!

Is the VA payscale based on 40 hours per week with 52 weeks/year?

Or is it based on 36 hours per week (Three 12hr shifts) for 52 weeks/year?

Trying to calculate my hourly rate for comparison to other job offers.

Specializes in Care Coordination, General Surgery, Oncology.

2080 hours a year (40hrs/wk, 52wks/yr)

I am struggling a little to decipher the pay as well. Currently working on obtaining a position - part time 0.2 - in FL. I have my BSN and 3.5 yrs of nursing experience. I understand I am a Nurse II, but beyond that do not know what I would be to try and figure out pay. Anyone able to help?

Thanks!

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