Working for the VA

Jules A, MSN · May 14, 2015

I know a NP who does and loves it but her rate of pay is horrible. I had hoped to work for them because I was a RN at VA but when I graduated from NP school I got a ridiculously low offer so I went to the private sector.

PG2018 · May 14, 2015

Their pay is rather substandard and that's why I don't work there.

grammynp · May 14, 2015

I got an offer for full time no call $100,000

Jules A, MSN · May 14, 2015

I got an offer for full time no call $100,000

Thank you for posting their offer. I think the whole secrecy of what people make is BS and allows employers to stifle our earning power.

I was offered mid $80,000 and in psych that was almost half of what my first job paid. As a FNP in my area $100,000 wouldn't blow my dress up as amazing but with the advantages of working for the govt. it would be worth serious consideration. Congrats and good luck.

Dr.Naija_Glam · May 14, 2015

I agree with Jules A. I know that the VA doesn't offer the highest salaries around, but I do know ones salary offer depends on years of experience, certifications, etc. I'm not sure which VA you applied to, or your specialty, but 100k sounds good for a start no matter the location. In the Midwest, my sister was offered and accepted 82k in a primary care clinic at the VA. She had about 6 months of NP experience prior to that.

PG2018 · May 14, 2015

Thank you for posting their offer. I think the whole secrecy of what people make is BS and allows employers to stifle our earning power.
I was offered mid $80,000 and in psych that was almost half of what my first job paid. As a FNP in my area $100,000 wouldn't blow my dress up as amazing but with the advantages of working for the govt. it would be worth serious consideration. Congrats and good luck.

I had a similar conversation with my wife last night. I think most conservative people still don't want to speak about their incomes, but I feel like with NPs and PAs it's almost necessary. Why? Because they can be so grossly overworked and underpaid (literally made a slave to the doc). Too many are not offered productivity incentives, and this is where we see that NPs and PAs aren't business minded. You've got to have that productivity there.

That figure of 80k was mentioned for psych. I had a community health group offer me 70k and 16 measeley 30 minute follow-ups/per day with call. Psshh. Like I almost laughed at the doc making the offer. I think the VA's range is 63-110, and NPs are lumped as nurses. You have to basically write a narrative justifying your education, training, experience, leadership, etc to make a board give you more money. Forget that. I want to work where the numbers talk.

grammynp · May 15, 2015

I have 7 years of intensive care nursing. Then I have worked as a NP for 20 years in solo rural Heath medical office. It is very stressful with the the complexity of my patient population. I am 57 years old and make 14,000 more than what i would be getting at the VA. I looking for less stress, more patient management rather being pushed to see as many as I can to keep my

Budget prosperous So I was wondering about the VA.

Jules A, MSN · May 15, 2015

I have 7 years of intensive care nursing. Then I have worked as a NP for 20 years in solo rural Heath medical office. It is very stressful with the the complexity of my patient population. I am 57 years old and make 14,000 more than what i would be getting at the VA. I looking for less stress, more patient management rather being pushed to see as many as I can to keep my
Budget prosperous So I was wondering about the VA.

For me to take a pay cut for any job it would have to be a significant cut in hours also. I can't speak as a NP but as a RN our work load was not strenuous but even still I'm not about taking a pay cut in hopes of a lessened work load.

NP2015 · May 15, 2015

Psych Guy: What did you mean by your very last statement: "I want to work where the numbers talk." ? Just curious....

PG2018 · May 15, 2015

Psych Guy: What did you mean by your very last statement: "I want to work where the numbers talk." ? Just curious....

I mean I want patients and reimbursement over base to dictate my income. I don't want to be a scrap fed midlevel getting paid whatever the doc, or some group, feels I should get paid. If a NP is going to work hard and see the same numbers of patients then the income should be influenced by that. If I see 25 patients a day I want to know I'm getting something extra for it. Altruism doesn't keep the collectors away.

NP2015 · May 15, 2015

PsychGuy, I really appreciate your kind reply (you know it's true because it rhymes!). I truly believe that soon, we will be 100% compensated like physicians as far as pay or close to it. We just have to continue to perform well. Washington is noticing the APRN more and more and what we can and do bring to the healthcare arena and healing profession.