VA Nurse Salary

Specialties Government

Published

Hi! Can anyone provide me with good info on the starting pay for VA nurses? I am applying in both Kansas (Leavenworth VA) and Missouri (Kansas City, MO VA). The salary range for both locations is about $46,000-$88,000. I know salary is based on experience, but I'm wondering if most nurses start somewhere in the middle. I have about 1.5 years med-surg experience. I can easily make more than the $46k at my current hospital position, but I'd like to work for the VA and the benefits can't be beat! Just wondering if I'll have to take a big pay cut. Thanks!

Bumping to maybe get updated sense of the topic in a 2021 covid world for my wife who is awaiting credentialing/formal offer. 

ow likely can you counter? Even to just argue  "Yes I while don't have my BSN yet, but I have 20+ years nursing experience in variety of departments, currently enrolled in RN>BSN with expected graduation this year." 

 

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Specializes in Operating room, ER, Home Health.

You should be a Nurse 1 step 10-12. Once you complete your BSN you should be bumped up to a Nurse 2.  When you get promoted to Nurse 2 you will be at a minimum what you are making as a Nurse 1

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I asked if there still room for negotiation but they respond as NO. 

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Hi all.  Forgive me as I type this on my phone.  I'm hoping adding on to this post I will get noticed quickly. My salary offer for the VA came back and I was offered RN 1, level 3, step 9.  My HR person is having the RN Recruiter call me tomorrow as I indicated I would like to discuss a different salary.

I have my BSN, a MA in cultural anthropology, worked in the administration side of public health prior to be a nurse, have been a RN for 3 years, precepted nurses, been a charge RN, and been engaged in several other leadership projects as a nurse (on my unit and sitting on committees) and throughout my career.  Does what they are offering me seen right? I'm rather disappointed.  Any help on how to negotiate would be appreciated.  I feel I should be a level 2 with my BSN and then a few steps in due to my prior experience and leadership activities.  Thoughts? 

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Specializes in operating room.

Having a BSN , I think you should be on level 2. So I don’t know  if you graduated here or outside THis country. Because I have to file and apply for international credentialing board  in order my BSN ( I graduated from the Philippines ) to be credited in this country . They put me On level 2. It I wasn’t happy with the salary quotes. The VA said there’s no rooM for negotiation.  So I turned down the offer 

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