Opinion of VA Residencies?

[RaeRae747]

Does anyone know how well VA residencies are regarded in the pharmacy world? Specifically, if I completed a VA residency, would I be competitive for a job in a non-VA hospital or as a candidate for a PGY2 residency?

The reason I ask is because I recently interviewed at a VA that seemed somewhat "lightweight" to me--the staffing was minimal, and it didn't really seem like there were a lot of projects. While this would probably make for a less stressful year, I'm a bit worried about how it might make me look as a job candidate when I'm done with the residency!

So does anyone have any knowledge of how respected a VA residency would be? Is it true that a residency is just a residency?

Thanks for the information! Ranking residencies is stressful!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[tl11]

This is a great question, and i would love to hear what everyone has to say. The VA i am considering is similar, no weekend staffing... But of course it's going to depend on which VA you do it at, as all programs are not equal.

I feel that the main cons of the VA residencies are the narrow patient population (probably mostly geriatric males), and the somewhat more narrow focus on amb care and the more common amb care disease states. Please correct me if i'm wrong.

However, i have heard of some people going on to do a PGY-2 in critical care after a PGY-1 at a VA.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I think it really depends on the VA. The medical centers are by NO means uniform in terms of size, services offered, degree of integration of clinical pharmacy, etc. But, I think the residencies are generally well regarded and it's not like you have to TELL people you had a relatively chill PGY1. 😀

 

[tashka]

I think that residency is just residency. At one of my interviews I met a residency director who is a clinical specialist in acute care hospital. She completed PGY-1 in the VA.

I also met several pharmacists who switched to acute care after completing am care residencies. Just my personal experience. It is not uncommon for residency graduate to get a job in a different area of pharmacy. But residency training is always valued.

 

[wmw]

I tech at a VA, and have heard that with some of the competitive VA's you pretty much need to have done residency there to be hired as a pharmacist; that being said none of the pharmacists who work at my VA have done residency anywhere

 

[Pharmeleon]

I agree with All4MyDaughter about the differences between the VA facilities. I am a VA resident and I feel well prepared for my PGY-2 and hope that I'll be able to find a clinical job when I'm done. Each VA is different - certain VAs specialize in different areas. Some VAs have a lot of opportunities in internal medicine, ID, critical care, etc where as some focus more on am care, geriatrics, psych, or other specialties. I do believe that doing a VA residency may help you if you want to work in the VA system when you're done with residency but it would also prepare you for a private sector job. Picking a residency all depends on finding a facility that offers you all of the learning experiences that you're looking for. If the VA that you're interested in provides you with a broad experience or you are interested in a more focused area that the residency excels in, then go for it! The VA is a great place to be a pharmacist. Good luck in your residency search and the match!

 

[vaworkaholic]

VA resident here.

VA has many advantages, but also carries some disadvantages. The quality of the residency depends on which VA. Some just got approved for a residency program while others had 20 years. When i was interviewing for PGY-1, I hit several VAs, and steered clear of the fresh starts as they tend not to have their acts together and teething problem worked out. But the well established ones were on the top of my ranking list.

My program is very well established, with lots of electives that allows you to make the residency just about anything you wanted. What pharmacists are allowed to do in primary care is practically working as a fully autonomous diabetes physician with prescribing authorities on anything DM/HTN/HLP related.

Also, VA was one of the early pioneers of building clinical pharmacy into acute care. And my VA being a teaching hospital in association with the university for 10+ years, the integration of pharmacists in the medicine/ICU teams are very well established. The attendings will actively seek out pharmacy input on rounds, the medical residents rotating through from the university into this unfamiliar practice setting just love you.

Another plus is that, like many inner city/public medical centers, we have our share of patients who are a complete mess. But you have the benefit of knowing that your patients did put their lives on the line for our country, and any body who did that deserve care and some understanding. But the patient population is also a double edged sword. You will learn more about geriatric and psychiatric better than most programs out there, at the cost of missing out on pediatric and OB/GYN.

Being a government program means you'll never have to deal with reimbursement problems and pressures to push patients out ASAP. But being a government program also means the amount of bureaucracy can be totally irrational.

The biggest draw back in my book is the very restrictive formulary. VA is set up on a very tight budget. It's goal is to provide the best STANDARD of care, not the best of care. The tough formulary system often makes us the "drug nazi" of patient care, forcing you to weigh what's the best for patients against pharmacy leadership and hence your career.

 

[RaeRae747]

Thank you for all of the comments on my original post! I'm just so torn on what to do....

I interviewed at the University of Kentucky, and I really feel like they liked me....but I also interviewed at several VAs--and I feel like they liked me too! When I compare the programs, UK is a lot more work, but I know that I would learn a ton! The VA residencies just didn't seem as intense, but the pharmacists really loved their jobs! I think I'm trying to rationalize turning down UK for a VA residency without sabotaging my future!

Thank you for all of your comments! Good luck to everyone participating in the match!

 

[JJRAZ]

The VA programs in Arizona are great, and very competitive to get.

I know several of the residents from the last few years at both programs, they have all been very successful getting PGY2's and or competitive jobs after their PGY1's.

But like others said, not all programs are created equal.