Working for a VA gov't entity?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2008

Try looking here:

on top thread titled VA.

v/r

doc.smith · Dec 16, 2008

You are basically dealing with VETERANS Patients only. Many of the Patients are geriatric, substance abuse, homeless, and what not. If you like excitement ED is the place. Always the same issue, not like typical ED in civilian world were you deal with different type of patients, from newborn to what not.

IronMaiden · Dec 16, 2008

I love working at the VA. The pt's are approx. 90% male (a very good thing, in my book) and mostly older, although in the coming years I know that we'll be seeing increasing numbers of younger guys r/t the Iraq war. I work on a cardiac floor - many of the patients are semi-frequent fliers (the CHF-ers, COPD-ers) so I get to know them and develop a relationship with them over multiple hospital stays; I love this aspect of my job. I've never worked in the ER so I can't speak authoritatively, but I do know that my facility doesn't handle trauma, etc, so the types of pt's one sees there is more limited than in a "regular" hospital. Some might find that boring...

doc.smith · Dec 16, 2008

I'm not an RN but I used to moonlight in ED as a Phlebotomist for a long time. It was fun. I got to know all nurses, doctors, and even the security guard. I have always like ED even when I used to work for Children's Hospital.

I still work for the VA as Patient Services Assistant, I deal with all the complaints there is. Sometimes I feel like the Patient Advocate dealing with the issues they are calling about. Still, I enjoy every bit of my job. Many of the Vets actually request for me when they need help.

Like you said before, its what you like about your job not what the job does for you.