Department of Veterans Affairs has a rich history of supporting nursing students in both their learning and career pursuits and we provide clinical rotations to one out of every four professional nurses in the U.S. through our affiliations with nursing schools. Did you know that VA employs more than 61,000 RNs, APNs, LPNs/LVNs, and nursing assistants, and that our VA Learning Opportunities Residency (VALOR) Program has been a major success? It’s true. More than 50 percent of VALOR participants are hired as new registered nurses in VA.

And, most recently, we've launched the VA Nursing Academy to forge partnerships with the finest nursing schools across the Nation. Visit the VA Nursing Academy's website to learn more.

The following provides details about our student employment, residency, and orientation programs, as well as additional information about VA nursing. We invite you to explore the opportunities associated with working for the Nation's largest employer of nurses.

VALOR

The VA Learning Opportunities Residency (VALOR) Program gives outstanding registered nursing students who have completed their junior year in an accredited clinical program the opportunity to develop competencies in clinical nursing while at a VA-approved health care facility. Learning opportunities include didactic or classroom experiences, competency-based clinical practice with a qualified RN preceptor, and participation in nursing-focused clinical conferences.

VALOR participants who take a position with VA upon graduation are usually hired one-to-three steps above the entry-level salary rate established for new graduates. This is because VALOR participants are already oriented to VA and its practice requirements. VALOR students may be appointed on a full- or part-time basis during the summer months, and may continue during their senior academic year on a part-time basis. Contact the nursing education department at your local medical center for more information about the VALOR Program and how to apply.

Orientation

Every facility in our health care system provides a structured nursing orientation program for new graduates. The program includes the assignment of preceptors and mentors who provide experiences tailored to each individual new hire's requirements. In addition to orientation, VA provides a work environment that supports the transition from new graduate to experienced nurse, including abundant opportunities for continuing education programs, as well as clinical learning experiences.

Nursing Benefits

Working as a nurse at VA comes with a number of work/life benefits designed to help you achieve your best, personally and professionally. Our nursing benefits include:

• Nationwide job transfer opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement and scholarship programs (subject to funding availability)
• Competitive salaries and pay differential rates
• Generous vacation, personal, and sick leave, as well as 10 Federal holidays
• Stable retirement and health care plans
• BCLS and ACLS classes provided at no cost to employees

The following links provide a wealth of information about our student employment, residency and orientation programs, as well as additional information about VA nursing:

• Education Support Incentives
• VA Nursing information
• VA Nursing Occupations brochures
  
  • skip brochures
  • RN
  • APN
  • CRNA
  • LPN/LVN