There are many nurses who have the desire to work in a Veterans Administration Hospital. Working here gives them the ability to help veterans who have put their life on the line in order to serve this country. It also gives them the ability to earn benefits that allows them to get the best health care. Something that all government employees are able to take advantage of.
In order to be hired at a VA hospital you need to plan it out carefully and have the right credentials. This is a very competitive job and not easy to obtain. If you are just starting to get training as a nurse than who says you should wait to apply? Obtain training as a certified nursing assistant to begin with.
After you have this training try to apply at the hospital. It helps to apply while in nursing school – but not all hospitals will want a student. If that is the case than simply volunteer a couple days a week. This will look great on a resume and help you to get noticed. That way when you are certified they might be more willing to hire you on full time.
When you apply make sure to provide them a detailed resume and cover letter. They will take you more seriously when you approach them in a professional manner and provide them with all of the things that will help them to remember you.
When you are hired on do not stop there. Go back to school to become an LPN or RN. The more experience and training you have the better your position at the hospital will be. It will also help you to earn more money. After a few years you will have the chance to apply for the position of VA Travel Nurse Corps. This will allow you to travel around the country to fill positions in understaffed hospitals.