As the nation’s largest employer of nurses, over 121,000 nurses work in VA clinical operations. For the second year in a row, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has found that VA providers perform better than private sector care providers, and VA facilities receive higher star ratings on average than non-VA hospitals.
VA nurses follow industry-leading practices and see growing benefits and opportunities for their positions. They work in an expanding field with improving conditions, all while gaining valuable experience that translates across clinical specialties and patient populations.
How Nurses Enhance Veteran Healthcare
The cohesive nature of veteran services means that many facilities implement industry-leading practices to improve nursing experiences and patient care outcomes. Some of these transformative and proactive practices include:
Lifelong Learning and Specialized Skills
Nurses working in veteran care have learning opportunities and leadership roles to stay current with the latest medical advancements and practices. This continuous education helps nurses obtain specialized skills in areas such as chronic disease management, mental health, geriatric care, and other relevant needs of the veteran population.
Meeting Veteran Needs Through Travel Nursing
VA facilities are addressing staffing shortages and care gaps through travel nursing contracts. This care solution provides greater access to care for veterans and helps nurses serve where they are needed most. Becoming a travel nurse can be simple and straightforward for nurses with the right credentials and experience.
Empowering Nursing Leadership
Many VA facilities employ a “shared governance model,” which means that nurses have a voice in decision-making and collaboration is prioritized. This drives improvements in patient care and directly helps nurses develop leadership and advocacy skills that are then applicable across job responsibilities.
Nursing Responsibilities for Veteran Patients
Nurses working as clinical providers in federally funded VA facilities support short- and long-term patient care, with a variety of fast-paced responsibilities. Some of those typical tasks include:
- Patient assessments
- Medication administration
- Care coordination
- Patient advocacy
- General education
- Chronic condition support
- Post-procedure care
This wide variety of responsibilities requires nurses to continuously collaborate with other healthcare professionals. VA nurses often work closely with:
- Physicians
- Social workers
- Mental health clinicians
- Case managers
- Pharmacists
- Rehabilitation specialists
- Caretakers
Nursing Settings Serving Veteran Populations
The Veterans Health Administration provides care to veterans at over 1,300 health care facilities, serving 9.1 million Veterans every year. Some of those specific clinical settings include:
- Emergency departments
- Medical-surgical units
- Psychiatric units
- Outpatient primary care
- Specialty clinics
- Community living centers
- Home-based primary care
- Intensive care units
These facilities serve veterans through every stage of their lives, which means nurses can provide care to a wide range of populations and demographics.
Benefits of Working with Veterans
The benefits of providing nursing care to veterans are significant and growing. Some of the beneficial factors include:
Flexible Scheduling
Many nurses face challenges such as burnout and compassion fatigue, but VA nurses often have flexible scheduling that helps them avoid these issues. When schedules are more predictable and flexible, nurses can better manage their personal lives. Paid vacation time and supported leave options are also often better for VA nurses than in private-sector positions.
Competitive Compensation
VA nurses often earn more than nurses who practice in the private sector. Annual pay increases are common (an average of 3.1 percent), and monthly stipends are often available. The VA also sponsors multiple incentive rewards for performance and recognition.
Career Growth Opportunities
Nurses at VA facilities have ample opportunities to develop professionally and pursue education and certifications. The VA is the nation’s leading provider of continuing nursing education hours and credits. Leadership experience is developed through intentional, tiered leadership positions. There are also multiple scholarship and residency programs available to VA nurses looking to advance their education or certifications.
Positive Workplace Environments
Some VA facilities offer on-site employee benefits, such as childcare and fitness centers. Training and education programs also offer long-term support to nurses with results that improve careers. These programs are often supported by scholarships, loan-repayment programs, tuition-reimbursement plans, and online training options.
Government Services Nursing Jobs with SHC
Supplemental Health Care knows veterans go above and beyond to serve their country, and we take pride in being a reliable partner to connect quality providers with deserving veterans. If you’re considering a new nursing position or looking for support in learning more about your options, contact us today to learn more about how Supplemental Health Care can help.
FAQs About Veteran Nursing Care
Looking into VA nursing? Here are a few frequently asked questions about working in VAs and specifically VA nursing:
Where are the best locations for nursing opportunities working with veterans?
Some of the top states for VA nursing opportunities include Florida and California. Some rural VA operations face a high demand for VA nurses — many rural VA locations significantly impact community health and have high needs for specialized support.
Which VA nursing locations pay nurses the most?
Washington state often pays VA nurses more than other states, with Washington D.C., New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska also offering competitive wages. The annual salary of VA nurses in these top-paying states can exceed $199,000, and Veterans Affairs RN positions in many states pay above the national average for RNs.
Is the demand for VA nursing positions increasing?
Government-run Veterans Affairs facilities are facing staffing shortages comparable with healthcare facilities across the country. Nearly 94 percent of 139 surveyed VA facilities reported shortages of medical officers, and 79 percent reported shortages of nurses. This shortage keeps VA nursing positions in high demand with significant opportunities throughout the country.
How do I become a VA nurse?
Becoming a VA nurse starts with these five steps: gain nursing experience, decide where you want to work, partner with an agency, apply for positions, and accept an assignment. Throughout this process, you can specialize in VA facilities and work primarily with veteran populations.
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