Working in a VA Hospital, do you like it?

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Everything I read online about being employed as a VA Nurse sounds glowing and supportive. Would you agree? Are their plenty of opportunities to keep your registration up to date? If you have worked in civilian hospitals/centers, how does it compare in pay, facilities and opportunity for advancement? As a former Army-Brat, the military environment is familiar and comfortable to me, so I am interested in pursuing employment within the system.

If you are a servicemember nurse, will you stick with military facilities when you get out or try the other side of the coin? Thanks for your input!

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Specializes in inpatient rehab (general, sci, tbi, cva).
Everything I read online about being employed as a VA Nurse sounds glowing and supportive. Would you agree? Are their plenty of opportunities to keep your registration up to date? If you have worked in civilian hospitals/centers, how does it compare in pay, facilities and opportunity for advancement? As a former Army-Brat, the military environment is familiar and comfortable to me, so I am interested in pursuing employment within the system. If you are a servicemember nurse, will you stick with military facilities when you get out or try the other side of the coin? Thanks for your input!
Please note: your mileage may vary (YMMV) is absolutely true in VA. Some are the best (we have 6 Magnet facilities) and some are not. As a bedside nurse, you'll get great benefits, but you may not be able to use all of them. It all depends on what you want to do. For some, the VA is a great place to get experience and continue your education. For others, the VA system is an inflexible and unfriendly place, with "typical" government workers. The VA is a large employer and you'll have perks there you'll not see in many places. You'll also have access to one of America's largest healthcare networks. It's up to you. It can be a long, arduous journey, but if you have goals and can fulfill them at VA, give it a try.
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I am hearing great things about the VA as well!!! I can't wait to start!!

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