VA Hiring Process

Specialties Government

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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 ?

Yep, you got the "ol' conditional approval" they are either really desperate or you are really special, either way dont let them get lazy with your VetPro.

Seriously 120 days flies by and if they missed a signature or didnt get an orginal on something-you will turn into a pumpkin. Ive seen people yanked off the floor only to find out the conditional approval was a 1 time deal and now had to start VetPro all over.

I'm glad to hear that's an option. I feel bad because my current employer knows that I will be leaving, but they have no clue when because I cannot give them an exact date yet. So you can be boarded and work while you are waiting on vetpro to be completed?

Yes, but that is the exception, not the rule and almost never happens. Your employer will have plenty of notice, trust me!

79Tango...does the VA offer orientation once a month, weekly, biweekly? I still have not heard zip about the job but was curious if once an offer is made if starting orientation is quick. I was told the orientation is a week long and since I live 2 hrs from the nearest VA that offers it they will provide accommadations..of course, this is when/if I get the job. Thanks ~

So I completed the vetpro, fingerprinting, physical, paperwork, and everything else they had me do. It was very organized, it took me about 4 hours total to complete everything. I was told that I had everything they needed for me to turn in and all I'm waiting on is to be boarded. I asked if they were going to send out anything or contact my references further and I was told there would be no contact with my references because I provided letters of recommendation that had everything they needed. Vetpro was easier than I expected but thats because I don't have much employment history, but they still walked me through vetpro. They told me I should hear something by the 2nd week in February and I was also given another background site to go to @ home to complete on my own time. HR also told me I would be given a variety of dates to choose from when starting because they understand I need to give 2 weeks notice to my present employer. The waiting continues :)

That's great! Not too much longer!!

I really hope so, the anticpitation is torturing me. It seems like we r so close, but also soooo far. I'm just ready to settle in.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

I'm really interested in starting the application process for a VA position close to my house. But I definitely don't want them to contact my current employer before I even go on an interview! What if I don't end up getting chosen and now my employer knows I want to leave?

sbostonRN...they didn't call mine before the interview..they did notify them afterwards when confirming employment. I had been told that would not happen until the formal offer was made and that would be the last step but that isn't how it happened and for me, it did create problems..I went from being used (PRN) to being removed from the schedule and told I would be called "if needed" which I am not holding my breath for. This was not by my unit manager, this was by the CNO who oversees the schedules. And, unfortunately, the CNO where I work/ed was NOT one that you could go to for..well, anything, so her doing this isn't a surprise but it did make me basically jobless. I have signed up w/an agency which by seer luck had a position near me so I won't have to travel away from home and will work the contract I will work for the next 3 months. In the meantime I am going to apply other places. I would like to work at the VA for a variety of reasons..if they call and offer the position that would be great but if not, I will try again at another time if the one near me has anything. One lesson I have learned fast (as have others) is they definitely do NOT move like the private sector so from application submission to hire can literally be months. Also, for me at least, the HR person at the VA is not someone who is easy to reach and has yet to return a phone call or email and I live too far to drop in. He is nice when I speak to him but otherwise, if I had any questions I basically asked whomever I could get ahold of. So, if you really do not want your employer to know, you could try asking the VA not to get in touch or leave the employer off your application then if you are interviewed, etc. you could add the employer at the end when you do VETPRO crendeling. Another poster here had to complete something called "e-qip" - something like that. I didn't and don't know what that is. Sounds a lot like the VETPRO though.

For me least, they asked if they could call the employer I had listed. They had my previous employer, I told her no & gave her my present supervisors name & phone number. It doesnt seem like this is common practice for every VA to do this, but im sure u can decline for them to call. I really did not know how my supervisor would react, but I was willing to take that risk because the VA is where I want to b. It is a sticky sitiation because like u said ur present employer knows u r looking for alternate employment, yet it could take months before u even start @ the VA. My job is pretty much waiting for me to put in my resignation, the ball is in the VA's court. They did say I could stay on contingent :)

Was wondering if anyone can answer this question. Last week I found out the VA sent out letters to 3 of my references. I wanted to know if they will send out letters to all that are listed on my vet pro. How long do I have to wait for a start date. This is such a long process!!!

Congrats wife&mommyrn about the job!!! I got an email from VA stating they are waiting for approval of funds at one of their next biweekly meetings and only then can she offer job. She stated for me to sit tight, it may be a month. Sounds promising, I hope!

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