VA Nurse Practitioner

Shanimal · Dec 8, 2017

Since you already work for the VA, do you have any NP colleagues who can offer their opinions and maybe even allow you to shadow?

Jules A, MSN · Dec 8, 2017

I'm wondering if their NP pay rates ever caught up with the invention of indoor plumbing?

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Dec 9, 2017

I'm wondering if their NP pay rates ever caught up with the invention of indoor plumbing?

Yes, the VA has pretty competitive pay now, plus location differential. They also have great benefits.

Jules A, MSN · Dec 10, 2017

Yes, the VA has pretty competitive pay now, plus location differential. They also have great benefits.

Like yow much? Last I saw the max was $130k a year and you had to have worked there or been a NP a million years to make that grade most were making around 90k.

criticalcareNP · Dec 11, 2017

I am working as an NP at the VA. The pay for NPs is way less than the PA pay, its very upsetting. The PAs make 10,000-18,000 more than us. We have lost 4 Nps this year already.

Jules A, MSN · Dec 11, 2017

I am working as an NP at the VA. The pay for NPs is way less than the PA pay, its very upsetting. The PAs make 10,000-18,000 more than us. We have lost 4 Nps this year already.

Would you share the ranges? I worked for VA as a RN and really liked it. When I got my NP they made me a laughable offer so I said bye-bye. I kept thinking especially in psych with all the bad press they'd step up but it doesn't sound like it. I'm now making over $100,000 a year more than the VA offered me back then. The benefits are good but not that good.

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Dec 11, 2017

Would you share the ranges? I worked for VA as a RN and really liked it. When I got my NP they made me a laughable offer so I said bye-bye. I kept thinking especially in psych with all the bad press they'd step up but it doesn't sound like it. I'm now making over $100,000 a year more than the VA offered me back then. The benefits are good but not that good.

The pay depends on location and the VA, like other government agencies, makes these available to the public. Do a Google search on "Title 38 Pay Schedules." For example, here in San Diego, which is pretty expensive, but not as bad as San Francisco or Los Angeles, an NP can make from $84,947 to $150,346, depending on Step and Grade. NPs are GS 12. I think the DNP is automatically a GS 13.

There are also excellent benefits:

10 days holiday

13 days sick

26 days of paid annual (vacation/personal) leave and may accumulate up to 85 days

Loan repayment

Tuition reimbursement

Can also take time off for education

Excellent medical, etc - federal employee plan

Retirement plan - Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)

Thrift plan (like a 401K)

In addition, I have talked to VA NPs who said they don't feel so rushed. They can take their time with patients, not on a clock to see a patient every 15 to 20 minutes.

I think the VA is very competitive when one looks at the salary plus the benefits. Personally, I'd like to work for them.

Jules A, MSN · Dec 11, 2017

The rates have definitely gone up. In my area a grade 4 step 13, not sure how long you have had to be a NP

to get that rate? is $143,000. Still unfortunately more than $40,000 less than my yearly base salary but a definite improvement.

serenitylove14 · Dec 12, 2017

Since you already work for the VA, do you have any NP colleagues who can offer their opinions and maybe even allow you to shadow?

Hmmm... I will definitely send out a mass email to see if anyone will let me shadow... Great idea!!

serenitylove14 · Dec 12, 2017

The pay depends on location and the VA, like other government agencies, makes these available to the public. Do a Google search on "Title 38 Pay Schedules." For example, here in San Diego, which is pretty expensive, but not as bad as San Francisco or Los Angeles, an NP can make from $84,947 to $150,346, depending on Step and Grade. NPs are GS 12. I think the DNP is automatically a GS 13.
There are also excellent benefits:
10 days holiday
13 days sick
26 days of paid annual (vacation/personal) leave and may accumulate up to 85 days
Loan repayment
Tuition reimbursement
Can also take time off for education
Excellent medical, etc - federal employee plan
Retirement plan - Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)
Thrift plan (like a 401K)
In addition, I have talked to VA NPs who said they don't feel so rushed. They can take their time with patients, not on a clock to see a patient every 15 to 20 minutes.
I think the VA is very competitive when one looks at the salary plus the benefits. Personally, I'd like to work for them.

This is why its so hard to leave lol. Interesting they dont feel rushed... thats always a good thing!!

Jules A, MSN · Dec 12, 2017

Interesting they dont feel rushed... thats always a good thing!!

I can't speak for NPs but as a RN inpatient psych we had the lowest patient load of any job I ever had.