VA Pay-Strictly Salary?

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2009

VA nurses are paid by the hour. Time and a half for overtime. I never had to take call, so I don't know about call pay.

Pay rate is based on your "grade." Grade is determined by your education, experience and a paper you write in which you address the "Nine Dimensions of the Nurse Qulaification Standard."

After all paperwork, computer forms/documentation, physical, background checks, and reference verifications are done. Your Nurse Qualification Standard is evaluated by a VA nursing board. This is called getting "boarded." Then, your hourly wage is decided.

OR Dude · Feb 27, 2009

Thank you for the information. I was curious since many jobs are posted with a defined salary range.

athena55, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2009

Hey Valerie Salva:

When I applied to the VA I didn't have to submit a paper! Holy Cow!!

Also in NYC we were paid 2x for Holidays and OT. Of course, a lot of the OT was "implied mandatory" as in "we need someone to stay" kind of deal. Didn't happen often.

But I hear from my friends back home that there is a hiring freeze (in NYC).

Well, good luck to OR Dude in his/her search for a job with the VA. I certainly enjoyed my short time there. When I leave the military, and if I can still stand and walk, I would re-apply for a position there at the VA.

athena

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2009

I worked for the VA in one state, quit and later applied in another state. I had to write the "Nurse Qualification Standard" both times.

exnavygirl-RN · Mar 4, 2009

I work for the VA and love it. I have a base annual salary they quote but your pay is actually hourly. With the shift differential and retention bonus I do pretty well for a LPN. I will be taking RN boards in a few weeks and hope to work in the same facility. :nurse:

pattyrn376 · Mar 4, 2009

I work at a VA and I graduated from regents too (1992) I love the VA too, a great bunch of nurses, well 4 med in colummbia MO anyway!

athena55, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2009

I work for the VA and love it. I have a base annual salary they quote but your pay is actually hourly. With the shift differential and retention bonus I do pretty well for a LPN. I will be taking RN boards in a few weeks and hope to work in the same facility.

:up: GOOD LUCK on your upcoming Boards! I have a question for you: You say you hope to work in the same facility, would that be a problem? I worked with an EXCELLENT NURSE who was an LPN, went back to school for her Associates in Nursing, graduated with honors, took the RN Boards, passed yet the Nurse Manager was dragging her feet in changing her status from LPN to RN....In frustration she quit and went to another VA, different borough (VISN3) Is this a concern of yours? I was - and still am, flabbergasted that the Nurse Manager mentioned above would not hang on to this knowledgeable, caring, competent practitioner... :bluecry1:

And thanks for your prior service!

athena

exnavygirl-RN · Mar 4, 2009

Our VA has a screwy policy that if a LPN becomes a RN she has to apply for a RN position on a different floor and then apply to come back???? They just can't change your status and allow you to work on the same floor. It's crazy. No one has the hoo-ha's to stand up and say it is a screwy policy. I have no idea why it is like this. I have to fill out a whole new application package. I'm considering going to another VA. The people I work with are wonderful ....management and above are ...welll.....