VA Nurses out there????

DelGR · Feb 16, 2004

Hey all! I just wanted to know if anyone knows about the student nurse technician program at the VA. I was just hired and I am going through my first week of orientation but I just curious if anyone else has any experience with it. Also would like to know how all the nurses out there enjoy working at the VA. Everyone I have met so far has been super nice and friendly and seem to really like their jobs....Is this the norm? Thanks for your help in advance and Happy New Year!
Sarah

I like being a VA nurse. I've been in the VA almost 27 years. I don't know anything about the student nurse technician program. I think we briefly had that program in the mid 1980s but it was abandoned when there wasn't a nursing shortage anymore. Several nurses from the community college hired on and stayed. They are still with the VA. Many nurses in the VA really like working there due to the 5 weeks vacation, number of holidays and other benefits. :)

georgia peaches · Feb 16, 2004

Hey all! I just wanted to know if anyone knows about the student nurse technician program at the VA. I was just hired and I am going through my first week of orientation but I just curious if anyone else has any experience with it. Also would like to know how all the nurses out there enjoy working at the VA. Everyone I have met so far has been super nice and friendly and seem to really like their jobs....Is this the norm? Thanks for your help in advance and Happy New Year!
Sarah

PM me for more information....

John

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Feb 16, 2004

Hey all ... I am with the VA and infact posted another thread asking if anyone was working with the VA. I just started a week ago and am still in orientation. So far its all good, the people are very nice and the benefits are out of this world .... wish I would have done this when I was younger.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2004

I was a tech a the VA in Fayetteville, NC and really enjoyed my experience. It offered me a lot of hands on experience in basic care, and patient communication. They pressured me at the end to accept an RN position, but I declined. I didn't feel the nurse patient ratio of was adequate, plus I would have went right into doing charge nurse straight out of school.

Enjoy your experience.

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Feb 16, 2004

I was a tech a the VA in Fayetteville, NC and really enjoyed my experience. It offered me a lot of hands on experience in basic care, and patient communication. They pressured me at the end to accept an RN position, but I declined. I didn't feel the nurse patient ratio of was adequate, plus I would have went right into doing charge nurse straight out of school.
Enjoy your experience.

I have heard that a lot from people that I have spoken to about the VA. They seem to have decent staffing levels here in Asheville and so far, so good. Of course, just being in orientation, I am not even on the floor yet. But we have a new NM and she seems to be making some positive changes for the unit. I am excited to get started the floor, alittle nervous, but I feel confident that I will do well. The equipment seems pretty old. The IV pumps that we are using are the same pumps I used with I was in LPN school in 1983 ... would have thought that the equipment would be the best.

I am thrilled to be in service for our Veterans .... it is a great honor for me.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 16, 2004

I enjoyed the VA and the other military hospitals I've worked in...as a vet myself - I think working there is wonderful. In fact, I would still be at the VA except hubby took another job where there isn't one. Thanks for working with our vets!

BadBird, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2004

I start orientation next month and am looking forward to working at the VA. We can compare experiences after both of us are working a few months. The staffing ratios that were quoted to me seem so much better than private sector. The benefits are great and that is what attracted me to the VA. I would love to hear experiences from other VA nurses.

scoobyfl315 · Feb 24, 2004

[i am working at the VA now and I really enjoy it. It has worked out well for me so far. PM me and we can swap notes :)

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Feb 24, 2004

Week 4 at the VA and I really do love it. The people have all been very friendly and my peer nurses are truly exceptional. I am glad I made the decision to join the VA and hope to be there a long time. I guess the best part of the whole experience so far has been working with the veterans! They are so appreciative of everything. It seems like sometimes the system really puts them through the ringer. I try to make up for all the waiting and long lines by being as friendly as I can and try to attend to their requests as soon as possible.

Overall it has relaly been a positive experience for me.

ldshaw · Feb 24, 2004

I am a former Hospital Corpsman (NAVY) and just passed my NCLEX exam in California. I was curious about a position at the VA clinic in Sacramento. Did you folks have to take the civil service test for your nursing positions? How long was the application process? Thanks so much!

LDSHAW:confused:

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Feb 25, 2004

As an RN, you are considered a Title 38 employee and as such are considered excepted into your position. There is no civil service exam required as you are qualified by your licensure as an RN. I would highly recommend the VA system. I have only just started, but I wish I had joined the VA as an RN years ago. Good luck.