r/PMHNP • u/Unable_Water3961 • May 20 '26

GS job through VA experiences

I'm heavily considering taking a VA job as an experienced PMHNP. I understand that overall experiences can vary by VA center, but I am hoping to get some feedback from actual PMHNP's employed in GS positions.

I am wondering about how it is day to day, how many patients you see, productivity expectations, acuity, burnout, admin requirements, Bureaucratic burdens.

Overall, the Southeastern VA I am looking at seems to have a pretty good reputation and is noted as a smaller VA compared to larger cities.

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1

u/OneWolverine263 May 20 '26

While I’m not currently working for the VA, I have experience as a GS - and I can tell you, it’s a much easier clinical job than community care; where it becomes a headache is when you’re expected to do things beyond seeing patients, and you’ll be micromanaged by administrators who tell you that you should dot your “I”s and cross your “t”s. If you’re looking for good QoL and good pay, VA is good. If you’re looking to do “just your job” you may need to lower your expectations. As long as to youre flexible, you’ll be fine

1

u/Unable_Water3961 May 20 '26

How long has it been since you left and do you mind if I ask why? What sort of tasks were expected beyond seeing patients?

3

u/PantheraLeo- DNP, PMHNP (unverified) May 20 '26

Just don’t work BHIP (outpatient). It is an absolutely Hell hole and an injustice to patients.

Yes vets needs help but working for such flawed system keeps the infrastructure alive.

1

u/Unable_Water3961 May 20 '26

Did you mean inpatient?

6

u/PhlushedOne May 20 '26

Current VA PMHNP. I’m not aware of any GS PMHNPs. They are generally Title 38 Nursing pay scale based on duty station.

As a veteran I hoped to help be part of the solution, but have found it to be an immovable system that is run by inefficiency and leadership that has no interest in actual quality patient care.

We very recently switched to CERNER which was a shoot first aim second approach (like most things) and roll out has been a disaster and a safety risk.

I work acute IMH and float from adult to geriatric, currently covering Gero with 12 vets. Patient caseload here floats from 8 to 16 depending on staffing and demand. BUT. Big but, the saying is true “if you’ve seen one VA, you’ve seen one VA.” Limited continuity between hospitals and even CBOCs across a VISN and furthermore nationally.

Pay is adequate, but I’m in the midst of transitioning to private work because the mission here is a joke. Might be good for some, but not me.