Nicki Fryar started working at the Durham VA Medical Center as a great way to expand her nursing skills. That was 24 years ago. What Nicki found was, as the years passed, her appreciation for what the medical center did for Veterans increased.

“As I grew to love working with [Veterans], I found it to be very humbling to come to work everyday to serve them,” she said.

In the video above, she recalls helping a homeless Veteran after he was treated at the medical center. The health care the Veteran received was only part of the overall help he needed, and so with the assistance of other offices and services, he was able to not only continue care, but was reunited with his family.

“It is the true sense of family,” she said as tears began to well up in her eyes, “It’s the true sense of caring. It’s the true sense for respecting [Veterans] for where [they] are in that point in time.”

Now, Nicki is the Nurse Manager of the Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratory at the Durham VAMC and wants other nurses to consider working for the nation’s Veterans at VA.

Read more about the national recruiting effort for medical professionals here, and visit http://www.vacareers.va.gov/ to see how you can start your career at VA.

Topics in this story

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

10 Comments

  1. Laura September 28, 2014 at 15:48

    Nurses & doctors have no heart because they’ve seen so much and now they no longer have human feelings. At least many of them act like this. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe I was unlucky but this is what I’ve encountered in my ordeal.

  2. Rita September 27, 2014 at 10:04

    looks like a great opportunity, my friend just qualified in this area, I’m sure this’ll be something she would be interested in.

  3. homes ideas September 24, 2014 at 02:34

    Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?

    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!

    Thanks

  4. Lisa September 23, 2014 at 22:17

    A problem I have encountered is the application process at the VA. It needs to be simpler and the site needs to more user friendly. I would love the opportunity to work at the VA as a nurse practitioner, but the application process has kept me from applying.

  5. Sharon Benton September 16, 2014 at 21:47

    I am the wife of a vietnam veteran. Who is on 100% disability do to agent orange. And I am on Champ VA and so far our care has been very good. So Hats off to the Nurses and Doctors. At theLebanon Va Medical Center in Lebanon, Pa

  6. walter rencehausen,sr September 15, 2014 at 21:57

    I am Blessed here at The Albuquerque,New Mexico VA Hospital. I have an Excellent (PCP) & Nurse’s, Name DR. Christine Martinez,MD. Have been with Her for 12 Years,
    Also the Most Wonderful Nurse’s Sharon Rubi,–Now Retired, & at Present a Most Wonderful RN, Debbie Madrid. They are the most caring,Cheerful,& always Ready to Solve Problems. That’s why I’m Still Alive. Their Excellent Care, & Love. I am now 88 yo.
    A WW-2 Vet , & Ex POW, Europe.
    Respectfully Walter Rencehausen,sr

  7. Harry Gonzalez September 15, 2014 at 20:59

    I found the VA in 2010 after a favorable discharge from active duty. My comments are for my experiences at Seattle and American Lake Division or the Puget Sound VA. I simply cannot say enough of the high quality of care that I have received here. At the American Lake Division, my memory recalls the poly-trauma receptionist, therapists, and doctor, doctor, Dr McP. Simply a very positive experience.
    At the Seattle Division, I was hospitalized and again a positive experience and my positive experience’s continue as I receive treatment here in Seattle. A final note, you have to remain positive, patient, and take the time to conduct medical research on your own in order to self. Sorry forgot this thread. A good experience thus far.

  8. Norm W September 15, 2014 at 19:52

    Clone her and send her to the Louisville VA hospital because 99% of the nurses AND doctors there have no heart for anyone except themselves. They are the most cold-hearted people I have ever met in my life. They pretend to care about vets; but, their attitude and actions contradict that. Their perceived attitude is, “please hurry up and die so we don’t have to be bothered with you.” Thought the new secretary of Veterans Affairs was going to make such a big change. Really? All I see is that it got worse. If you have a caring doctor or nurse at the VA, count your blessings.

  9. Leslie Ruff, BSN, RN, PHN September 15, 2014 at 16:33

    I would like to be a nurse for our veteran’s. I am a veteran who didn’t have to experience any of the trauma that so many do and have a son who served in Aphganistan who did. We use Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils for helping with issues that come up.
    There is a Master Sergeant Johnson who is working to help soldiers this way as well.
    I live in Winona, Minnesota and feel I could be a great service to local (0 to 100 mile radius) veterans, could be on call and triage needs of our service member’s. I would like to apply as a registered nurse for the VA.
    I am licensed in three states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa
    Leslie Ruff, BSN/RN, PHN, CHWC

Comments are closed.

More Stories