US Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Reviews about "private sector"

Pros

Ability to transfer location within the same organization.

Cons

Salary is lower than in the private sector.

Pros

I came from the private sector where it is all about fattening someone's pockets while you work work work. I'll never go back to that. This job is fulfilling because you get to help our nation's hero's. Nothing can compete with this vacation policy, I have more time off than I'll ever use. If you enjoy helping others and not helping your CEO get his 4th vacation home, you'll like this place. Oh and the insurance and retirement are outstanding.

Cons

It is true about what you hear about Government employees. Just don't fall into that loop and you'll be happy. Don't let other peoples' negativity get you down, because when you look at these Veterans and realize what they went through, the piddly arguing goes out the window.

Pros

Co-workers were great to work with. No day is the same and emergencies can happen out of nowhere, so you have to be ready for a fast-paced, high energy day. My favorite part of the job was to be able to help my fellow veterans; talking to them through events, calming them, and assuring them we are going to help them. I love our veterans!! Once you're finished with your one year probationary period, there is some job security that is a bit better than the private sector.

Cons

Highly politicized. Promotions amongst officers are pretty rare, so when there is an opening, they are all at each other's throats, which creates tension in the whole department. Cops usually have A-type personalities, so there's that to deal with too. As a Security Assistant, there are no potential advancement opportunities. My pay grade was a GS-06 for 7 years. Even with outstanding performance reviews, none of that mattered because there is no offering for a promotion with that position. Oh, and you may be subject to being called back to the office in the event of an emergency any time of day. Lots of overtime, with little regard for your personal affairs, work-life balance, lack of sleep, and overall well-being.

Pros

fair compensation and decent benefits compared to private sector.

Cons

rigid and inflexible, poor work.life balance. The motto of the Buffalo VA should be "this is the way we have always done it so let's keep doing it this way." The facility is dirty and ES is incompetent.

Pros

PAY - competitive, shift and weekend differential is the BEST anywhere 10 paid holidays a year EASY work with low patient-RN ratios No being sent home based on low census Great benefits - (401k matching, retirement, health, dental and vision insurance, etc)

Cons

Raises - only get a step increase every other year Difficult to advance to Nurse III - even with a Master's Degree! HAVE to monitor paycheck as they frequently get it incorrect then debit your check without notice - has gotten better with the new system. EMR is horrible - ED has one area to chart meds; ICUs have a totally different EMR and medication admin system so med/surg units can't see ANY of it as we don't have ICU access. Revolving door of same patients. SO many frequent flyers especially for ETOH - you see abuse of the system daily. Probably the MOST frustrating thing is there is no punishment or consequences for lazy or abusive workers. So many employees would be fired in a heartbeat if they did this in the private sector! ie being habitually late, workers coming to the unit and saying they're not going to do this or that even tho it's within their job description and basic duties, etc. Most units have the VA rotating schedule - which is a disadvantage to night shift workers - on two, off two, on three rotating - additionally your schedule is set - there is NO self scheduling like the private sector.