Hiring Process for VA (veteran's administration)

Specialties Government

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I applied for the VA in TN in July. Got a call for an interview the first week of August. Received a call 3 days later saying i had a tentative offer and had to do the whole process with vetpro and eqip and fingerprinting, physical.... I was sent a link for the vetpro and eqip 2 days later so that i could go ahead and start that process. I did that. A week later they called and asked to set up and time for fingerprinting and physical. Well the NP couldn't see me until September 5th, so of course i had to wait until then..... upon going and getting my physical and fingerprinting they let me see a sheet of things needing to be completed. It showed everything completed. the only thing i'm waiting on now is my drug test which was done on the same day as physical and fingerprinting. She said it could take a week for the results of that to get back...which would have been yesterday! I know for sure that all my Vetpro things are done. I'm not sure as far as the eqip site as i can't log back in for some reason. i do know that they sent a letter to my references from eqip and verified residency.... the process is LONG!!!!!! The NP that did my physical did say if i had everything done by that date (Sept 5) that I should be able to orient sometime at the beginning of October..... whoever would'be known the process is so long... i've had lots of patience... that's the only way to be tho! I am hoping I hear something soon.... hopefully my process is complete! just waiting to hear from them!!! fingers are crossed! i am ready to start working as i am a new GRAD!

No Pre-reqs that I know of. I just applied they the website and made sure I completed all paperwork asked of me

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For some positions like ICU and ER they usually ask for experience. But for medsurg it's pretty much just have your license and be a citizen, and of course fill out a ton of paperwork

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Specializes in Tele/med surg/step-down, Cardiology.
For some positions like ICU and ER they usually ask for experience. But for medsurg it's pretty much just have your license and be a citizen, and of course fill out a ton of paperwork
You are right on that. The ICU manager looked at my résumé, because the patients I have taken care of are what they have in their ICU. But I had had med/surg/Tele exp. that was specialized to cardiopulmonary. Like I have mentioned I did have the med/surg interview and am still waiting.
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Specializes in Tele/med surg/step-down, Cardiology.

If not selected I would get an email telling me so. No such email has come and the website has me as eligible. This is just way to slow in my eyes.

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My process seemed quick compared to others... But at the same time it was very slow if that makes any sense... I got a phone call the next Monday for my offer and a couple days later I got an email saying that I was selected for the position.... Did you apply for more than one position??? I did and I am still receiving emails from those jobs saying that I didn't get selected (even though I never was interviewed for the others).... I would call the nursing recruiter and see if they selected someone for the position you applied

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Specializes in Tele/med surg/step-down, Cardiology.

I did call the Recruitor assigned to that job and all the others I have applied for. She told me they had not selected anyone yet. She told me she would call if I was offered the position. To be honest I have given up and moved on. It is the VA's loss. LOL

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Part of the problem I think is that a lot of the jobs they list for a long time, like 2 months. So if you apply a couple days after they post the job you'll wait 2 months to hear anything. It shows on usajobs how long the job will be listed.

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I do agree with that... They don't make a final decision until the actual job closes.... Correct?

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I'm just wondering what makes the VA "so different" from other hospitals, other than the ridiculously long hiring process (from what I heard!)? I thought about applying to the VA. I currently work on a progressive care unit (ICU stepdown) and have over a year of experience. I was hoping to be placed on a similar unit or even progress to ICU if they would allow me to.

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Specializes in Tele/med surg/step-down, Cardiology.
Part of the problem I think is that a lot of the jobs they list for a long time, like 2 months. So if you apply a couple days after they post the job you'll wait 2 months to hear anything. It shows on usajobs how long the job will be listed.
Actually the jobs are not always posted that long. One I had applied for was only listed for one week. I actually applied for one job and have yet to hear anything, but during this period the job was posted again, so I called and was told it was another opening and I would have to apply again for that posting. Umm really!!! I have applied for 6 jobs, interviewed for the one almost 2 months ago, with no word back, was not selected for 2 others and heard nothing on the rest and I started applying in May, with he last app put in in August. Is it the VA that I am applying at? Maybe!!
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I'm just wondering what makes the VA "so different" from other hospitals, other than the ridiculously long hiring process (from what I heard!)? I thought about applying to the VA. I currently work on a progressive care unit (ICU stepdown) and have over a year of experience. I was hoping to be placed on a similar unit or even progress to ICU if they would allow me to.
I'm a new grad and my only experience is with the VA so it's hard for me to compare. But what I do know is that both VAs in Phoenix and salt lake city didn't have a step down type unit. There's a telemetry floor which kind of functions as a step down but really their acuity guidelines are barely more than the medsurg floor and as the medsurg floor is much bigger we get a lot of those patients anyway. VA hospitals aren't level I trauma centers so usually the very severe traumas are sent out to other hospitals. Therefore I would recommend going for ICU. Not to say we don't get some seriously ill patients but if you want more critical care than medsurg go for ICU. The biggest difference I know of is that's it's government so everything is mon-fri 9-5. If you need something done on the weekend you'll most likely wait till Monday which can be a pain. (unless it's an emergency) For example, if you have a patient that no one can stick and needs a PICC line but it's Friday night, well that patient is most likely waiting till Monday to get it. Therefore patients end up staying much longer than in regular hospitals. The biggest positive for me is knowing my patients will get whatever they need. It was really hard for me as a student to see pts who needed something but didn't get it due to money and to send them out knowing they still have unresolved medical issues. I don't have to worry about charging out things I use to the patient and I know their needs are met. (there are always exceptions of course). Plus it's very rewarding taking care of our vets, there's a sense of comraderie as the focus is really the best care for them. :)
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Specializes in MICU.

I have applied for a job at the VA Medical Center in Atlanta. Does anyone have experience with the VA Medical Center in Atlanta (Decatur, GA) as a new grad or a current employee? I am an ADN nurse interested in ICU. Thanks. :up:

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