VA Hiring Process

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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 ?

I have a telephone interview with the VA next Tuesday for intermittent surgery. Ive never had a phone interview any idea on questions that might be asked or how a telephone interview works

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I have a telephone interview with the VA next Tuesday for intermittent surgery. Ive never had a phone interview any idea on questions that might be asked or how a telephone interview works

Yes. Research "PBI Questions"; the interview scoring process for VA uses Performance Based Interview scenarios. There's quite a lot of info on the VA website itself; otherwise, just use Google. Be prepared to discuss questions that start 'tell me about a time when...." and then you discuss how it was handled, what you did in that situation, etc.

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And we wonder why the VA has trouble filling positions? If Lubbock NP and the VA don't come to a mutually acceptable salary, the VA goes to the second choice candidate with months more of background check and boarding for salary of that candidate. Meanwhile the position stays open and current employees are trying to cover that opening. Not a great system for hiring new employees.

Seems like some VAs don't have that figured out yet. It's not a national problem, though: my facility posts a job, then fills it. RARE, very rare, to have someone who is otherwise ready for boarding reject the offer because of money. And we don't have many open spots much of the time, either....so when one posts, it gets jumped on.

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Well, the HR dept has been working. They are reboarding me I should have final offer of what I board as and final salary offer tomorrow. I will keep ya'll posted. And may I say pfchang is the best!!!!!

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Excellent, Lubbock!! Will be crossing my fingers for you!! Can't wait to hear!

I have had contact with the "nursing specialist" via email and he hopes to have my "package" completed this week. Not sure what that means, but I assume it is the bundle of ppwk that is used for boarding determination.

Keep us posted!

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Seems like some VAs don't have that figured out yet. It's not a national problem, though: my facility posts a job, then fills it. RARE, very rare, to have someone who is otherwise ready for boarding reject the offer because of money. And we don't have many open spots much of the time, either....so when one posts, it gets jumped on.

You know, I don't think most people know you can negotiate at the VA. I sure didn't. It could be that some VAs do and some don't. It may be dependent on how many good candidates they have for a position. I learned about some successful negotiations after I took my job.

Good luck to you, LubbockNP!

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You know, I don't think most people know you can negotiate at the VA. I sure didn't. It could be that some VAs do and some don't. It may be dependent on how many good candidates they have for a position. I learned about some successful negotiations after I took my job.

One of the better-kept secrets! Hence, the reason I mentioned it to Lubbock....if you simply reject an offer, that's it. But if you say "hey, everything is good, EXCEPT the grade/step you assigned to me....we'll have to re-work that before I can say yes" then it can happen.

Not always. Sometimes people really do have an inflated sense of self-worth; they believe their experiences and..whatever...make them extra-special, but in reality they don't. So sometimes, the strategy of "I can't accept the job at that pay" turns into "ok, see ya!"

Just like the real world, it's a dance :)

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Ok, the official offer is: Nurse III step 11 and the salary is 673.00 dollars more a year than my current salary, so I accepted the offer. I start August 25. I am giving my current job a 30 day notice and this gives me a week off before I start the VA.

Thank You guys so much!

The Nurse Executive at the VA re-boarded me from a nurse II step 6 (which I refused to Nurse III step 11)

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That's awesome! I hope you enjoy the VA. It is a lot different then outside hospitals, but is also very rewarding.

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Ok, the official offer is: Nurse III step 11 and the salary is 673.00 dollars more a year than my current salary, so I accepted the offer. I start August 25. I am giving my current job a 30 day notice and this gives me a week off before I start the VA.

Thank You guys so much!

The Nurse Executive at the VA re-boarded me from a nurse II step 6 (which I refused to Nurse III step 11)

Guess this puts me on your "People I Love" list, hmm? :D

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I am amazed at the difference between the initial offer and final offer in terms of where you were boarded. That is fantastic. They must LOVE you and your qualifications. Why on earth were you boarded so low in the first place? That was just dumb.

Good luck and enjoy your time off.

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My physical is done, fingerprints done and HR called to let me know they are sending offer letter and to confirm start date in a few weeks. The first offer of salary was low and I honestly couldnt understand why they came back so low and graded me so low based on my experience. I wasnt looking for a huge leap in salary but something equal too it. It went back to the baord andthey returned with a more money and a higher grade and I accepted it. I guess submitting paycheck stubs is optional but personally I dont feel this should be a factor in determining your salary...in any kind of employment. Im still unclear as to what the orientation will be, what my hours will be during this time, what to wear, etc.....just a big wait and see I guess.

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