Veteran Affairs Hosp Nursing

leslie :-D · Mar 15, 2008

the va in boston is phenomenal...their sci unit has received awards on their research and practice.

i believe the pay is very competitive, w/steady raises..

and their benefits are outstanding.

i think you will receive varied reports, depending on the specific facility in question.

best of everything.

leslie

chicAAgoRN · Mar 15, 2008

Has anyone heard or read anything in regards of the Hines VA in chicago in particular. Thanks for all advice and comments.

SoCalGem · Mar 15, 2008

Hi I'm a third semester nursing student. Are there any nurses out there that work for a VA hospital. What is your experience? How is the pay compared to private sector? I spent 7 years in military and would love to care for the ones that served with me and before me. Any other advice would be appreciated.

This exactly what I want to do. I spent 8 years in the military and am a military wife.

amy1197 · Mar 15, 2008

Hi I have worked for the VA in Boston and Brockton for 10 years as an LPN. Most of that time has been in SCI. I just got my RN and will be going to a surgical unit at the Boston VA. From what I have seen the pay at the VA is somewhat higher than the local hospitals and comprable to the Boston Hospitals. The health benefits are just ok in my opinion. I pay about $130 every two weeks for family medical insurance but the retirement plan is great. All in all I would say that the VA is a great place to work. I also love to care for those who have served our country.

yajaira · Mar 16, 2008

I agree, I am a VA nurse in Florida. I have worked in the Tampa VA and now at Bay Pines. Pay is competative, benefits are good, opportunities are literally endless.

It does take some getting used to if you have experience in civilian hospitals but I would strongly recommend it.

cookiemomma · Mar 16, 2008

i work at medvac in houston texas as an agency nurse;i spent 18 months in sci-it was great;i then moved to operative care line which is pre/post surgical unit;very fast paced and learned something new everyday;the patients come and go fast not like in sci where they are more long term;pay is good;i start full time with va monday yippee....i have heard that new york,san francisco, and houston pay the highest wages but no body can beat the benefits and the opportunity;bless you for your desire to work there....congrats!

HM2VikingRN, RN · Mar 16, 2008

The MPLS VA is competitive on wages and benefits with the other hospitals. I am entering the June new grad program for either a mental health or rehab position.

I wouldn't hesitate to take the job.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Mar 16, 2008

Check out the VALOR program at : http://www.vacareers.va.gov/l2_assistance.html

Simplepleasures · Mar 16, 2008

My sister works in a VA hospital and loves it, no complaints.

CHATSDALE · Mar 16, 2008

va in our area the starting pay is competitive but advances are more substantial

vacation days are one month with a lot of comp time if you want to

education pay is probably better than most

i know of several people who went to work as cna or lpn and have advanced to masters program, all on the va dime

working in clinics gets you good hours w/o decrease in pay

job security is better than most

if you have military time this can be counted as seniority for pay advancement and retirement purposes

1studentnurse · Mar 25, 2008

Has anyone heard or read anything in regards of the Hines VA in chicago in particular. Thanks for all advice and comments.

I am a new VA nurse, and another person in my orienting class worked at Jesse Brown in Chicago on telemetry. She told me she loved the VA system there and would have stayed had the winters not been so cold.

Hines also has a very good SCI unit (one of the 21 CARF certified units in the VA system--out of 23 total). I am working SCI right now for the VA in the Midwest, and considered Hines when my husband was looking for a job up that way. It has had a bunch of remodeling done there.

I am a new grad (May 07) and I make about 20% more working for the VA than I did in my first job. The differentials (weekend and night is double from my previous job) and the holiday pay (double time) are also much better.