VA (Vet. Affairs) nurses

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Oct 30, 2015

good: Benefits are great. I have great insurance that I can keep after retirement. 5 weeks paid vacation and 2 weeks paid sick time. I love working with the Vets and hope to continue doing so after my DNP. I was offered more per hour than my civilian job gave me. We have good staff-patient ratios in my unit.

bad: The politics that we have to wade through sometimes just suck. Staff that don't pull their weight continue to work here because they are protected by Union. It can be difficult to get treatment needed at any facility besides a VA because they are tight on the purse strings when it comes to transportation and the like (our ER physician has to get permission from the medical director for these things which really holds up the process).

HeyGirlHey · Oct 30, 2015

good: Benefits are great. I have great insurance that I can keep after retirement. 5 weeks paid vacation and 2 weeks paid sick time. I love working with the Vets and hope to continue doing so after my DNP. I was offered more per hour than my civilian job gave me. We have good staff-patient ratios in my unit.
bad: The politics that we have to wade through sometimes just suck. Staff that don't pull their weight continue to work here because they are protected by Union. It can be difficult to get treatment needed at any facility besides a VA because they are tight on the purse strings when it comes to transportation and the like (our ER physician has to get permission from the medical director for these things which really holds up the process).

You nailed it. I work med-surg and never have more than 5 patients, which is great. I agree with the staff issue, I notice a lack of teamwork and accountability at times.

AuDDoc · Oct 30, 2015

Depending on what VA you work at, you may basically be in a constant battle with toxic middle management. Also be prepared at many VA's to deal with verbal and sometimes physical abuse that is just shrugged off by management. The veteran is always right even when they are wrong at many VA facilities. It and the lack of motivated co-workers and teamwork combined with toxic leadership are the reasons the VA cannot retain people unless people just truly believe in the mission.

Beatlefan, BSN · Oct 30, 2015

I agree with everything that the previous posters wrote- especially twinmommy+2. I love my patient population and specialty floor. The pay is over private hospitals in my whole state. If I am sick and can't work, I am not penalized, and receive sick pay. I don't have to worry about anything related to charging patients for equipment or supplies.

The absolute worst part is the fact that people who work there may or may not be willing to help others or even do their own jobs adequately, and there is no one to go to with these problems.

I stay at my job because I get a great deal of satisfaction from my patient population, who are mostly older males- very pleasant and appreciative.

Hmfog · Oct 30, 2015

How difficult is it to find a job in a VA hospital?

AuDDoc · Oct 31, 2015

Depends on what your degree is. BSN is easier to get hired on than AD RN.

You want to seek out the nurse recruiter for each VA. They are usually listed on the VA employment web page. Contact the nurse recruiter rather than HR.