VA Nurses Offered Pay to Resign by Extended Deadline, Trump Federal Employee Buyout Plan
In a bold move to rapidly downsize the federal government, the Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it is offering buyouts to all federal employees who voluntarily leave their jobs by next week - here is the letter. The initiative marks an unprecedented effort to reduce the size of the federal workforce at an accelerated pace.
The Trump administration has extended an offer to VA nurses allowing them to resign from their positions while continuing to receive pay through September 30, 2025. This proposal, which comes with a looming deadline extended through Monday 2/10/25, has created a complex situation for the more than 100,000 nurses who make up the largest single group of federal workers, accounting for 5% of all full-time permanent federal employees.
The Deferred Resignation Offer
While the offer may seem attractive to some, it has raised significant concerns about its potential impact on the VA healthcare system, which is already grappling with severe staffing shortages. More than 80% of VA facilities are currently experiencing critical nursing workforce deficiencies, making the possibility of further staff reductions particularly alarming.
The OPM website has a resignation letter template available here.
Here is a copy of the letter that was sent to all federal employees:
Deferred Resignation Email to Federal Employees
January 28, 2025
During the first week of his administration, President Trump issued a number of directives concerning the federal workforce. Among those directives, the President required that employees return to in-person work, restored accountability for employees who have policy-making authority, restored accountability for senior career executives, and reformed the federal hiring process to focus on merit. As a result of the above orders, the reform of the federal workforce will be significant.
The reformed federal workforce will be built around four pillars:
| 1) | Return to Office: The substantial majority of federal employees who have been working remotely since Covid will be required to return to their physical offices five days a week. Going forward, we also expect our physical offices to undergo meaningful consolidation and divestitures, potentially resulting in physical office relocations for a number of federal workers. |
| 2) | Performance culture: The federal workforce should be comprised of the best America has to offer. We will insist on excellence at every level — our performance standards will be updated to reward and promote those that exceed expectations and address in a fair and open way those who do not meet the high standards which the taxpayers of this country have a right to demand. |
| 3) | More streamlined and flexible workforce: While a few agencies and even branches of the military are likely to see increases in the size of their workforce, the majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force. These actions are likely to include the use of furloughs and the reclassification to at-will status for a substantial number of federal employees. |
| 4) | Enhanced standards of conduct: The federal workforce should be comprised of employees who are reliable, loyal, trustworthy, and who strive for excellence in their daily work. Employees will be subject to enhanced standards of suitability and conduct as we move forward. Employees who engage in unlawful behavior or other misconduct will be prioritized for appropriate investigation and discipline, including termination. |
Each of the pillars outlined above will be pursued in accordance with applicable law, consistent with your agency's policies, and to the extent permitted under relevant collective-bargaining agreements.
If you choose to remain in your current position, we thank you for your renewed focus on serving the American people to the best of your abilities and look forward to working together as part of an improved federal workforce. At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity and will be afforded the protections in place for such positions.
If you choose not to continue in your current role in the federal workforce, we thank you for your service to your country and you will be provided with a dignified, fair departure from the federal government utilizing a deferred resignation program. This program begins effective January 28 and is available to all federal employees until February 6. If you resign under this program, you will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable in-person work requirements until September 30, 2025 (or earlier if you choose to accelerate your resignation for any reason). The details of this separation plan can be found below.
Whichever path you choose, we thank you for your service to The United States of America.
Union Leaders Concerned
Union representatives and healthcare leaders are strongly advising nurses against accepting the deferred resignation offer. They argue that a mass exodus of nursing staff would have immediate and dire consequences for the care of the 9.1 million veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system.
Irma Westmoreland, a registered nurse who heads the Veterans Affairs unit for National Nurses United, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "We're already facing a staffing crisis in our hospitals. We cannot afford to lose any more staff". This sentiment echoes throughout the VA healthcare community, with many fearing that the loss of experienced nurses would further strain an already overwhelmed system.
Veteran Care
The potential departure of a significant number of VA nurses could have far-reaching consequences for veteran care. With the VA already struggling to meet the healthcare needs of its enrolled veterans, any reduction in nursing staff could lead to longer wait times, reduced quality of care, and increased strain on remaining healthcare professionals.
The timing of this offer is particularly concerning, given the ongoing challenges faced by the VA healthcare system. Critics argue that instead of addressing the root causes of staffing shortages, this proposal could exacerbate existing problems and potentially compromise the care of those who have served our country.
Nurses React
The deferred resignation offer has created a mix of emotions among VA nurses. Initially, some were attracted to the buyout, seeing it as an opportunity for career change or early retirement. However, as more details emerged, many became hesitant about accepting the offer.
Nurses on Nurse.org's Facebook page have reacted with mixed responses to this news, here are some comments:
- "The “Fork in the road” email is real. I’m a VA nurse in OKC. Received the email myself as did everyone that works at the OKC VA. It was to ALL federal workers, so mass email. As far as the hiring freeze, our director personally sent out an email entailing that providers and nurses are excluded from the freeze." - said one nurse
- "I wish i was working for VA, i would have taken that money and started a new job soon. We have so many jobs out here" - another nurse commented.
- "Most federal workers aren't taking it. Unions have already filed lawsuits against this. They are bullying and intimidating employees to take it. I am not a federal employer but have friends and family that are. You can join a federal employee fb support group to gather more insight. What should have been done IMO is end leases on buildings they don't need. Most federal workers can WFH. Some have been doing it FT or hybrid even prior to covid. The government also pays for vanpools. So they'll have to start paying for this again on a FT basis. So many peoples lives are being affected by this in the DMV area and also around our country. This will bring the unemployment rate up." - another nurse commented.
- "I work at the VA and definitely wouldn't take the buyout. Some have, but our HR has it on hold because it's not legal." - reads another comment.
This uncertainty stems from concerns about the long-term implications of leaving their positions, both for their own careers and for the veterans they serve. The decision is further complicated by the unique nature of VA nursing, which often involves specialized care for veterans with complex medical needs resulting from their military service.
While the offer was presented to all federal employees as a blanket offer, the outcome of this deferred resignation offer and its impact on VA nursing staff will likely shape the future of veteran healthcare in the United States. As stakeholders continue to debate the merits and risks of the proposal, the well-being of millions of veterans hangs in the balance, underscoring the critical importance of thoughtful and strategic decision-making in healthcare policy.
🤔 Nurses, what are your thoughts on the Trump administration's federal employee buyout offer? Let us know in the comments below.
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