TRUMP’S DEFERRED RESIGNATION PLAN COULD WORSEN THE VA NURSING JOBS SHORTAGE
There is no bigger employee group within the federal government than nurses. Working in the position has been difficult lately, as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is accepting a record amount of claims for healthcare. During this time, VA nursing jobs have been in short supply, and now, the Trump administration's deferred resignation offer could make things even worse.
VA Nursing Jobs Could Reel From Deferred Resignation Plan
Taking care of Veterans is a massive undertaking. Over 100,000 VA nursing jobs represent 5% of the full-time permanent employees within the organization.
Care is needed and those devoting themselves to our nation’s heroes still have plenty of obstacles despite representing such strong numbers within the VA.
Staffing shortages are nothing new and now, unions are working to keep things from getting worse, while also protecting workers. With that being said, the needs of individuals are diverse and could result in plenty of workers leaving.
Unions don’t want fewer nurses and are hoping that those who have received the offer won’t accept. The fear is that if many do, the 9.1 million Veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system would suffer.
“We’re already facing a staffing crisis in our hospitals. We cannot afford to lose any more staff,” said Irma Westmoreland, the lead nurse of the Veterans Affairs unit for National Nurses United (NNU).
Retirement Is a Factor
Some VA nurses may feel the deferred resignation plan is too good to be true; however, many others may not care at all.
If you look at the federal workforce as a whole, nearly 15% of the population is aged 55 years or more—those who hold VA nurse jobs, those figures reach over 16%.
Still, many nurses remain skeptical that such a deal, offering payment through September 30, 2025, is real and legal.
“Originally, I think people were like, ‘I’m out of here,’” said union official Mary-Jean Burke, who added that once more information was available, many nurses believed it may be “a little bit too good to be true and people were hesitant."
Confusion, Anger, and Fear
With so many executive orders, policy changes, and general chaos to begin the year, it’s no surprise that VA nurses have experienced varying levels of confusion due to all of the disruptions.
However, this has since turned into frustration and downright anger stemming from implications that those working VA nursing jobs are unproductive.
These frustrations are leading many to consider quitting, with a specific switch to the private sector.
In general, VA nurses are unsettled due to disrespectful rhetoric, the reality of a bad situation getting worse, attractive opportunities outside of the organization, and a lack of job security.
Many Won’t Qualify
Complicating matters worse is that most VA nurses, doctors, and staff are not eligible for Trump’s deferred resignation offer.
Over 130 occupations labeled “VA EXEMPTION REQUESTS” were outlined in an email, showing that most VA employees—laundry workers, cooks, nurses, pharmacists, and physicians—are ineligible.
Still, full-time probationary employees and some employees eligible for retirement in 2025 may qualify.
This could be a win for Veterans who still may experience disruptions involving VA services, however, the lack of clarity is only making things worse in the early stages by adding to the confusion of who could be in or out of a job.
VA Nursing Jobs Not the Only Ones Impacted
There are VA nursing positions facing shortages at over 80% of the organization’s healthcare facilities, leading to serious concerns among leadership.
Nurses are impacted by the EOs; however, the VA as a whole is feeling the effects of the active and proposed cuts.
But if you think it’s just workers facing these issues, you’re overlooking the hard decisions and their impact on the Veterans relying on these healthcare services.
The loss of nurses could shut down certain healthcare services altogether, depending on staffing issues.
Losing experienced staff members holding VA nursing jobs is a major shake-up for the organization and patients who will likely navigate the unknown in some capacity in 2025 and beyond.
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