athena55, BSN, RN 987 Posts Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns. Has 38 years experience. Dec 25, 2008 Hi, yes nurses in the VA are represented by a professional union but it is not mandatory. The union dues are taken out every paycheck (and for the life of me I can not remember the name of the union??? Sorry....UA something....???)Many RNs state that the union doesn't really do anything. I come from a background where the only union I would have considered joining was the state nurses association, but the union will work for you if it has members. For any union to work it needs members and participation on the part of its members.While I was at the VA our union rep did do a lot of legwork on behalf of the union members but again I am sure she could have used more help or support. athena
patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP 1 Article; 420 Posts Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner. Dec 26, 2008 Hi are VA nurses unionized? If so, is the union helpful at all? thanks.It has helped to retain people that should have been fired a long time ago, if you ask me. Then again with a union and the federal govt, minimal standards are considered to be maximum acheivements
