VA Hiring Process

[wife&mommyRN]

From the previous posts I've read the VA hiring process is pretty long and drawn out. I've applied to two different VA sites. The VA an hour away from my home I can always get in contact with a nurse recruiter and my application status for two posting says "referred to selecting official." The VA closest to my home, I can't get through to the recruiter, she emailed me back once and the status of all the apps just says "application received." I do know a nurse practitioner that works at this VA site and she tried to give my resume to the recruiter, but I had to apply online.

For those of you that are familiar with the hiring process, any idea what the next step is. In all there are around 20 RN vacancies. The two systems have two completely different online application submissions, how will I know if I've completed the application process correctly, its a little confusing

I've been applying since I've graduated and earlier this year I found out that I was applying the wrong way so those positions don't count. These positions closed in September.

Thanks in advance ?

[navyvet13]

Oh wow! So you have to do the lab work in another state? I hope we both hear good news sooner than later. I don't want stress ulcers from worrying so much!

Yes im in socal so i go to the VA in long beach.... I heard that if you get to e-qip you almost for sure have the position just a matter of time for them to get around to give offical offer

[freckled]

Yes im in socal so i go to the VA in long beach.... I heard that if you get to e-qip you almost for sure have the position just a matter of time for them to get around to give offical offer

Oh wow! Are you excited to move? I'm hoping that's true! But it all depends on if they find anything during the background investigation. I've never been so stressed in my life! Even nursing school didn't stress me out this much. And I thought the interview was the hard part haha.

[79Tango]

Alot of the VetPro and EQuip process depends on how bad the need is and if you are going perm or contractor. There are a few locations that will actually expedite the process and can go from interview to start in to 2-4 weeks (which is lightening fast for the VA). One of my old travel companies is recruiting like crazy for the VA in Houston right now. I have been getting calls talking about 17 new openings and expedited credentials. I have previous experience at the Long Beach VA and that hiring process was a tough thing to go through. Wait until you think you are all done and they throw the TMS training (that takes 2 hours) at you!

[navyvet13]

Alot of the VetPro and EQuip process depends on how bad the need is and if you are going perm or contractor. There are a few locations that will actually expedite the process and can go from interview to start in to 2-4 weeks (which is lightening fast for the VA). One of my old travel companies is recruiting like crazy for the VA in Houston right now. I have been getting calls talking about 17 new openings and expedited credentials. I have previous experience at the Long Beach VA and that hiring process was a tough thing to go through. Wait until you think you are all done and they throw the TMS training (that takes 2 hours) at you!

wow thats great if you dont mind PM the name of travel company or website so i can apply?

[luckyshamrock22]

Thanks all who post your experiences on these threads as they are very helpful. I have been reading and yet to post until now. I was reading first as most of my questions were probably already discussed and yes they were. It is difficult because it seems everyone has such different experiences and different "information." I was an employee at Loma Linda VA in Ca. and truly enjoyed my experience as an LVN. I applied (By paper) and figured since I'm a veteran, I'd hear back rather quickly but I didn't. Almost 8 months had gone by before I received a voicemail asking if I was still interested and they offered me an interview. Apparently the need was there but the funds weren't. Then I started within a month. It was rather quick and pleasant. I ended up leaving after only 9 months there because I was accepted into RN school and the hours conflicted. I've since been employed else where for 3 years now with 1 year being with my RN license. I just recently began applying to the VA (In Jan) and I am not sure if it is stroke of luck, my vet pref but either way, I got an interview. It is next week and as most of you that have been there, it is a nerve wrecking time. Does anybody know if leaving the VA the first time will hurt me? Does it really just come down to the interview at this point? This position fyi is for the Los Angeles VA. Also, last question- I hear that Va hospitals are really starting to get stricter about hiring Bachelor degree nurses. Does anyone know if they will consider the fact that I am less than a year away from graduating from a Bachelor degree program? Thanks any full/partial knowledge or input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

[DIV-99]

I would highly appreciate any insight/advice and thank you in advance.

I will be 44 when I graduate with my fully accredited BSN RN this December and hopefully pass the NCLEX shortly after. The area I live is saturated with RNs, so the VA is a possible route I am considering for my first new grad job and further career. Due to the nontradionality of my program, I will not qualify for their summer Valor internship but was told I might generously be considered for SNT (Student Nurse Tech) position that would will allow me the flexibility to complete my next 2 semesters.

I have read most of the info in this post but ...still have a couple of questions.

Does it really take that long to be hired on even if you are an internal (SNT if they offer and I accept) candidate?

Is there a way you can internally apply for a relocation to a VA in a different state or you have to start application/hiring process all over again externally?

[jprn0809]

How long does the vetpro clears? And how long DOES IT Take for the boarding process (salary and stuff)..'

Heres my timeline

november 2012- applied for the rn position

january 2013-interview

feb 2013-medical equip vetpro

i passed all the required document already

im on my 2nd week of vetpro...

hr told me im cleared with my physical just waiting for vetpro then boarding... ahhh this is such a long process but its my dream job

[kristykat, BSN, RN]

I wish I would have read through this thread this morning...

I applied at the VA 1/12/13, received a phone call from the Chief Nursing Educator asking for more info about my references on 2/13/13, & then received a voice mail from the nurse recruiter today stating that I was a finalist for the new grad residency and congratulating me on my strong interview. The problem is that I never interviewed. I called back and was given some details about salary and benefits and that an HR specialist will be calling me no later than tomorrow to schedule a day to come in for the physical, background check, and fingerprinting. I was also lead to believe that the recruiter only had to verify that my license is clean before he put together my official offer letter. Like an idiot, I felt that I already had the job and cancelled my other interviews and withdrew applications that I had pending. AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!! I emailed the recruiter for further clarification but I really feel like I jumped the gun on this one. Has anyone actually had a speedy hiring process or been given a contingency offer without an interview?? Am I spazzing out over nothing?

[luckyshamrock22]

I wish I would have read through this thread this morning...

I applied at the VA 1/12/13, received a phone call from the Chief Nursing Educator asking for more info about my references on 2/13/13, & then received a voice mail from the nurse recruiter today stating that I was a finalist for the new grad residency and congratulating me on my strong interview. The problem is that I never interviewed. I called back and was given some details about salary and benefits and that an HR specialist will be calling me no later than tomorrow to schedule a day to come in for the physical, background check, and fingerprinting. I was also lead to believe that the recruiter only had to verify that my license is clean before he put together my official offer letter. Like an idiot, I felt that I already had the job and cancelled my other interviews and withdrew applications that I had pending. AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!! I emailed the recruiter for further clarification but I really feel like I jumped the gun on this one. Has anyone actually had a speedy hiring process or been given a contingency offer without an interview?? Am I spazzing out over nothing?

Wow, I'm sorry that happened to you! It sounds like they confused you for somebody else?? It is not in the VA practice to give a contingency offer with no interview. You should have questioned her "great interview" comment. The VA hires according to a point system. The interview is how they score you and it is your time to shine. I'd hate to say but they will probably retract your offer once they realize their mistake. At this point the best thing to do is wait for their clarification and see if you can retract "the decline of your other interviews."

[kristykat, BSN, RN]

Good news! I talked to a friend who is in the residency program at another VA. She confirmed that she and another classmate were hired without an interview. She said that she was also given a verbal contingency offer & then scheduled for physical, etc. She said that because it's the new grad program, that the hiring process is slightly different & should only take about 2 months. Knowing that has helped alleviate some stress, but I'll feel much better once I hear back from the recruiter. :)

[luckyshamrock22]

That is such good news! Well congrats because it sounds legitimate and you can start celebrating a promising career with the VA!

[kristykat, BSN, RN]

I spent a good chunk of my life as an Army brat so working at the VA will feel like I'm back at home. I've officially been a civilian for almost 13 years now and I'm still not used to it lol.