What is the downside to the VA?

[RNrhythm, BSN, RN]

I am a civillian, second-career RN, with a BSN. When I reach my 1 year anniversary as an RN, I am going to start applying for acute care positions closer to home. There is a large VA hospital nearby.

I have read up on the benefits, etc.

What is the down side of working for the VA? How is the culture? As non-military, will I be at a disadvantage?

[Surg-OncRN]

I would say the wheels turn slower on most things in comparison to the private sector. Overall, I enjoy working for the VA.

[LouBean]

I have not started my position at the VA yet (three weeks away ), however, I would encourage you to contact a nurse recruiter and ask about shadowing opportunities. From what I have gathered (both from peers and from posts on this forum) VA hospitals *really* vary from location to location; it might be wise just to see for yourself what the hospital near you is like.

The culture at the hospital near me is what attracted me in the first place -- I couldn't walk down a hallway or ride an elevator without hearing a cheery hello. I was also impressed by the telemetry unit I shadowed on -- the patients were lovely, the nurses were excellent, and everyone seemed to *want* to be there.

I also saw nurses and other members of healthcare team (social workers, PT, etc) really working their butts off to connect veterans to the services they needed.

Some of the downsides seem to be some of "extras" that aren't quite up to par with the private sector -- like the equipment (the pumps on this unit were... vintage), charting system (I got a headache just watching my nurse patiently click through all the tiny little boxes), and cafeteria (motivation to bring my own lunch, for sure).

The most common complaint from the nurses I talked to on the unit was about the snail's pace of the federal government -- it does seem difficult to effect change. By reading the forums on here, it seems that others have complained about the difficulties in the boarding process, the bad apples in management, and the hoops to jump through in order to earn a higher grade.

With regards to being a civilian -- I also lack military experience. This did not seem to put me at a disadvantage during the hiring process, but I do anticipate a learning curve while on the job. For example, while waiting for my pre-employment physical I spotted a brochure that was for OIF/OEF/OND veterans. Now, maybe I'm just a dum-dum, but I had to google those acronyms (Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn). I imagine that's not the last time I will have to google something...

Anyways, hope that helps.

[BerryhappyRN, MSN, RN]

GOVERNMENT. That's the downside. However, there are MANY more upsides that make up for the slow as molasses processes of having Uncle Sam be your boss. Great benefits, pride, upward mobility, flexibility, one of the largest employers in the country, pride, sense of kinship, pride. I could go on forever....

Seriously, the downside is waiting weeks for something to be fixed on your timesheet, or trying to find out an answer to a simple HR question, or having to read through miles of paperwork to find the one line you need. It's nothing that can't be dealt with if you have patience, and everything is answered/fixed/handled eventually, you just have to wait out the eventually.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I just started PRN at my local VA. Honestly the only downside is what everyone has said and its that things may take longer because its government. It should also be known that working in the private sector isnt necessarily always better.