Nurse practitioners can discover a career leading and shaping Veterans’ health care during the 2019 AANP National Conference in Indianapolis

At the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a career as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a chance to lead and shape the health care of more than 9 million Veterans enrolled in VA all across the country.

Discover exactly what that means by visiting VA Careers at the 2019 American Association of Nurse Practitioners National Conference from June 18 to 23, 2019, in Indianapolis.

VA’s nearly 6,000 Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) play a vital role in examining Veterans with skill, care and empathy. To further involve APRNs in improving Veterans’ access to care and services, VA in 2017 finalized a rule that expands the ability of Certified Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Certified Nurse-Midwives to practice to the full extent of their professional skills as VA employees without clinical oversight of a physician.

Learn from experienced VA nurses

“As they are in the private sector, VA’s NPs are reducing Veterans’ appointment wait times, containing costs and innovating on the job,” said Donna Collins, RN, National Associate Director of Nurse Recruitment and Retention at VA’s National Health Care Recruitment Service. “Registered Nurses Victoria Cox and Kim S. McDonald look forward to sharing everything they know about VA nursing careers with trainee, new and mid-career NPs attending AANP 2019.”

With over 98,000 members, AANP’s mission is to empower all NPs to advance the quality of health care through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership. AANP conference-goers can earn up to 38 hours of continuing education credits through over 400 sessions and workshops.

“NPs who stop by VA Booth 7025 can learn about open positions, review the benefits of a VA career and pick up information to share with family and friends,” said Collins.

Conference attendees can also check out the following sessions on June 21 for in-depth information about the role of APRNs at VA and how VA nurses are applying holistic practices to help Veterans manage chronic pain:

• Improving Access to Care for Veterans: The Journey to Full Practice Authority & Implementation within the Nation’s Largest Integrated Healthcare System, featuring Penny Kaye Jensen, DNP, FNP-C, FAAN, FAANP, liaison for VA’s APRN National Policy.
• Challenges in Managing Chronic Pain in Veterans, featuring Renee Holleran, FNP-BC, Ph.D., CEN, FAEN, APRN, Holistic Medicine, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.

Explore the many benefits of serving Veterans

VA is a strong supporter of the nearly 100,000 nurses who provide Veterans with exceptional care. NPs receive competitive compensation based on education, training and experience. They are eligible for performance-based increases, accelerated raises and even higher education support through the National Nursing Education Initiative scholarship.

VA nursing careers offer the following additional perks:

• Take leave with 36-49 days of paid time off each year, depending on specific leave tiers.
• Receive paid vacation that accrues right away, unlimited accumulated paid sick leave and 10 paid federal holidays.
• Care for your family with premium-support group health insurance, including dental, vision and long-term care, which may become effective on the first full pay period after you start.
• Gain access to educational assistance, workforce and leadership development programs, and career training and enhancement opportunities.
• Get licensed in any jurisdiction and apply for opportunities at VA locations across the United States and the territories.

Choose VA at the 2019 AANP National Conference

• SPEAK to VA nurse recruiters Cox and McDonald at Booth 7025 at the 2019 AANP National Conference.
• EXPLORE a VA nursing career.
• APPLY for an open position near you to #ChooseVA careers as a nurse practitioner.
• SEARCH VA careers at www.VAcareers.va.gov or reach a recruiter today at VACareers@va.gov.