Mission: VA’s vision is to provide Veterans with the world-class benefits and services they have earned — and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability and stewardship.
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A VA nurse has the unique opportunity for innoVAtion to guide the future of Veteran medicine in the largest integrated U.S. health care system. Apply today to work at VA!
“We are all on the same team, and diversity makes us all better.” —Darren Sherrard, associate director of recruitment marketing at VA. Learn more about U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs commitment to diversity.
When you work as a VA health care, administrative or support professional, the career opportunities are virtually endless.
By working for the nation’s largest health care system, you’ll have access to a wider range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Our vast network of facilities also means more practice settings and specialization opportunities for health care professionals.
No matter which VA facility you choose, you’ll work within an interdisciplinary care team structure and be challenged to achieve the most positive patient outcomes possible.
You’ll have the opportunity to practice meaningful, groundbreaking medicine often treating patients with injuries rarely seen in the private sector. And, our vast network of facilities gives you access to some of the most advanced medical technologies in the nation.
Geography won’t even get in your way. When life dictates a move, you can seek employment at any location where there is a vacancy and transfer with no loss of benefits. For health care professionals, only one current, active professional state license is necessary to practice anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico.
How does unmatched control over your own life and career path sound? We’re simply the most flexible, diverse and family-friendly employer there is. When you work for VA, you’ll be entitled to a lifetime’s worth of opportunities, benefits, and satisfactions. You’ll be doing a job that’s truly worthwhile, and you'll have a myriad of choices and options you can't find anywhere else.
At the end of the day, VA professionals feel good about their careers, the Veterans they serve and their ability to balance work and home life.
VA is committed to achieving and sustaining a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. Several special-emphasis programs within the VA Office of Diversity and Inclusion focus on specific populations, including black/African American, Hispanic, LGBT and individuals with disabilities.
The Diversity and Inclusion in VA Council, an independent, executive-level body, advises the VA Secretary about issues related to diversity and inclusion. The Council includes representatives from each of VA’s major organizations, staff offices and stakeholders.
VA also created the Secretary’s Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Awards Program to further the goals of diversity and inclusion in a high-performing workforce that reflects all segments of society and values all aspects of human diversity.
“I thoroughly enjoy taking care of the veterans. They’re so appreciative of the care that they get. Every single one of them is so warm and loves their VA. Loves coming here. I just really enjoy being at the Veterans Health Administration.” –Dr. Stacy S. Weeks, Acting Section Chief – Primary Care
“You know that you’re serving somebody that literally lots of times put the ultimate sacrifice out there and put their life on the line for you and your country. Being able to serve them gives you that little extra piece to what you do every day.” –David Wichman, Chief of Psychiatry
“I love helping Veterans and the fact that each and every day I know that I make a difference, even if it’s just listening to their story or just answering the phone.” –Jennifer Molleker, LSCSW, Transition and Care Management Program Manager
“When you say you’re never going to leave a fallen comrade, it doesn't stop when you leave the Army. It’s a lifetime commitment. So, yes. It’s definitely the most rewarding thing outside of the Military I’ve ever done.” –Cody Long, Housekeeper
“It’s very fulfilling for me. I actually tell my wife, I said, ‘I actually like coming to work.’ … Every day I learn something new here that I did not know, and it’s been just a big treat.” –David Craine, Equal Employment Opportunity Program Manager
“It’s really hard to describe what my day to day looks like, because it’s different every single day, which I think is part of why I love the job. Because you never really know what’s going to hit you when you walk in the door.” –Dr. Stephanie Davis, Suicide Prevention Coordinator
You can apply for a job at VA on USAJobs. Before you apply, make sure you meet VA’s basic qualifications, as well as the qualifications for your chosen profession. Each job posting on USAJobs describes the minimum qualifications as well as any other necessary qualifications known as “selective factors.”
When you’re ready to apply, the job listing will tell you which VA application you need to complete, along with any other forms you’ll need to submit.
The more closely your experience — what’s known as Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) — aligns with the selective factors, the better suited you are for the job. Here are some do’s and don’ts when preparing your KSAs.
Once you’ve submitted your application and the closing date for the posting has passed, a human resources specialist will begin reviewing applications. This process can take a few weeks. If you’re selected to move on in the process, you’ll be contacted for an interview and then your references will be checked. After that, the only thing left is the offer!
Because we value the special skills and unique perspectives Veterans bring to the table, VA gives Veterans — particularly those with disabilities — hiring preference for any available positions. Military spouses also can receive hiring preference through the Military Spouse Employment Partnership.
Here are some other great resources to help you out during the application process:
Helpful (11)
I have been working at US Department of Veterans Affairs full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
Supporting the Veteran experience is an honor. I come home each day feeling accomplished.
Cons
It can be difficult to maneuver through the various obstacles that present itself when working within a structured chain of command in an a government agency with over 400,000 employees. But those difficulties can be overcome by intra and inter-office networking. Everyone has the same mission to support the Veteran experience, so it’s just a matter of working together to do so.
Advice to Management
N/A
Helpful (5)
Application
I applied in-person. The process took 3+ weeks. I interviewed at US Department of Veterans Affairs in January 2019.
Interview
I went in and met with the supervisor and discussed the position that was open. It was laid back and we talked about the goals of the organization plus my career goals. I am a veteran so they were able to directly hire me so that was very convenient
Interview Questions
