Critical Care Registered Nurse
US Veterans Health Administration
San Diego, California
$110k–$200k/yr
Posted pay
About a minute · no account or résumé needed.
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Posted Aug 4, 2026 · Last seen active Aug 5, 2026
What this might mean for you
US Veterans Health Administration is hiring for its own floors — no agency between you and the manager. The posted pay pencils out to roughly $110k–$200k a year.
What the posting states
- Base pay
- $110k–$200k/yr
About this role
Show full description
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship
- English Language Proficiency
- Graduate of a school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE
- Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia
- Background/security investigation
- Drug screening (urinalysis)
- Pre-employment physical examination
- Seasonal influenza vaccination
Benefits
- Competitive salary ($109,945 - $199,594 per year)
- Regular salary increases
- Performance awards
- 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays)
- Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
- Federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA
- Federal health insurance
- Vision insurance
About the employer
The U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the healthcare arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs, operating as the nation's largest integrated healthcare system serving America's veterans. The Seattle, Washington (98108) location is part of this federal healthcare network, which…
What reviewers appreciate
- Noble and mission-driven work serving veterans and their families
- Clear core values (I CARE: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence) guiding all interactions
- Interdisciplinary team collaboration model
What reviewers flag
- Tiered hiring preference limits external applicant opportunities, with first consideration given to current permanent VA employees
- Strict educational and experience requirements (BSN with 2 years or MSN with 1 year specialized experience) may create barriers to entry
- Federal hiring process may be slower and more bureaucratic than private sector
Living in San Diego, CA
San Diego pairs year-round beach weather with a laid-back outdoor lifestyle that makes it easy to trade scrubs for surfboards after a shift. Balboa Park offers trails and museums, while neighborhoods like Hillcrest give nurses walkable dining and nightlife options.
- Metro price level · San Diego area
- 111.9
- 12% above the national average
- Median gross rent
- $2,313/mo
- rent and tenant-paid utilities
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024 metro Regional Price Parities · Census ACS 2024
On your path
ICU / Critical Care is a first-year unit lane. The classic route: base year, then transfer in.
Worth asking
The posting doesn’t answer these. Good ones to ask a recruiter or in the interview.
- Can you walk me through the differentials?
- What should I expect for shifts, weekly hours, weekend, holiday, call, and rotation?
- What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
- How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
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