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 ?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

It was different for me. I was given a tentative offer but with no salary. That was determined after I sent in everything related to my experience and the nursing board then determined salary. Maybe this varies by facility, like so many other things.

Probably a matter of defining "tentative offer" (believe it or not). See, it's extremely common to get a phone call that you "have been selected for the position, pending physical, background, etc etc etc...". Some people consider that a tentative offer, but it really isn't: it's just notification that you are the one they want IN the job, and they are going to be pursuing that with you. But really is NOT the 'tentative offer' that will come only after the salary review board has met, and then THAT is the 'offer' that will be on the table. That is the step nanasi is describing.

It seems the real variable is whether an applicant gets the 'you've been selected call' (just described) or whether they go straight to the 'tentative offer call' (where they'd tell you the Level/Step, etc). But each kind of call has its own rules :)

Lots of people (myself included, as apparently were you) are on the receiving end of the first phone call I described, and go with "I GOT THE JOB (pending all the rest of course)". But really....they aren't offering anything, just letting you know that if anyone's gonna get it, it's gonna be you. IF and WHEN they actually MAKE the 'real' offer.

I had this weird confusing blur of time when I told people "I think I have the job....at least, they said I was selected....no, I have no idea what they'd pay me....no, I didn't actually ACCEPT the job, because they haven't discussed money.....hey, they FINALLY said 'our tentative offer is...'.....I accepted the job, and start in a month!"

Government can be incredibly frustrating, can't it??

[pfchang]

But the poster above was told nurse II level 7 before submitting everything. I have never heard of that because the nursing board which determines salary doesn't meet until after background check, etc, is completed. Who knows? Lol.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

But the poster above was told nurse II level 7 before submitting everything. I have never heard of that because the nursing board which determines salary doesn't meet until after background check, etc, is completed. Who knows? Lol.

Yeah, but I tend to take everything posted with a grain of salt. I don't think that people intentionally misrepresent (and to be clear, I'm NOT saying that's what happened here!) I'm just saying that what you read on here is AFTER someone told someone who told someone and then that someone thought about it and typed it out in a post. And it's pretty common for the posted query or comment to be a bit 'off' of what is really going on. And, let's face it, the VA hiring process is a mucky mire to traverse even if you're paying complete attention and are good at multi-tasking! :)

[nanasi]

I was just sharing what is happening in my situation; I was told by my recruiter that the board determined my grade and salary by reviewing my resume which basically consist of everything necessary to conclude on my experience and education. I didn't ask my recruiter if the board will still meet again at the end, that is why I ask my fellow nurses if anyone had something like that happened to them. Don't I wish I was given an opportunity to sell my self more by completing the dimensions that most on this thread been completing? Yes. I guess facilities differs around the country even though the norm is for the board to meet at the end. I received email Friday with information to go to Vetpro which I am going to work on today.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I was just sharing what is happening in my situation; I was told by my recruiter that the board determined my grade and salary by reviewing my resume which basically consist of everything necessary to conclude on my experience and education. I didn't ask my recruiter if the board will still meet again at the end, that is why I ask my fellow nurses if anyone had something like that happened to them. Don't I wish I was given an opportunity to sell my self more by completing the dimensions that most on this thread been completing? Yes. I guess facilities differs around the country even though the norm is for the board to meet at the end. I received email Friday with information to go to Vetpro which I am going to work on today.

If the Standards Board has your resume and has met to discuss it, then that's that; they don't allow any "selling of oneself" like in the private sector. Salary is based on a pretty specific set of criteria, which is all to be found in your resume/application. They award no points on personality, or your interpretation of what you submitted.....they will assign your experience and education it's "spot" on the grading scale, and with that, determine your pay. They do not meet again prior to your boarding to discuss again; that is only done at the time you are eligible for annual evaluation.

Now, that said, if once you get your salary quote you are dissatisfied with it, you can ask that it be reviewed---you'd need to give a reason, such as being able to provide a recent pay stub showing how much you're making now and they haven't met that as a minimum (don't expect them to exceed it, they rarely do, or if they do, by very little). You need to do that prior to officially accepting their offer, though.

Good luck, this is a BEAR of a process!

[nanasi]

Thanks, RNsWe, this process is something serious. I am satisfied with their offer because at my current work, we haven't had a raise in 4 years, if I had a full time position, my base pay will be laughable. Hopefully all goes well with the background check, I am waiting on physical and whatever is next. VetPro submitted yesterday. By selling my self, I meant to elaborate on those dimensions, and send letters from patients, coworkers, my boss and all kind of education hours. My evaluations too are really nice, I wouldn't mind sharing with them. Anyway, that doesn't matter now. I just sit tight and pray. I am ready for a change hope is for the best.

Thank you all for this thread!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Thanks, RNsWe, this process is something serious. I am satisfied with their offer because at my current work, we haven't had a raise in 4 years, if I had a full time position, my base pay will be laughable. Hopefully all goes well with the background check, I am waiting on physical and whatever is next. VetPro submitted yesterday. By selling my self, I meant to elaborate on those dimensions, and send letters from patients, coworkers, my boss and all kind of education hours. My evaluations too are really nice, I wouldn't mind sharing with them. Anyway, that doesn't matter now. I just sit tight and pray. I am ready for a change hope is for the best.

Thank you all for this thread!

I just wanted to offer that none of that matters at all, it's not that you missed your chance! NONE of that fits into the criteria for Level and Step: you can have a ton of voluntary CEUs, a ton of letters from everyone up to the Pope saying you're the best nurse ever, and it won't matter. Level of education and years of experience is what will give you your number; the wiggle room comes in if you can show they aren't meeting the competition's rate of pay (like with a pay stub).

That part, I have to say, is pretty frustrating to those (including myself!!) who can show that they're Nurse of the Year.....but at VA, doesn't matter, it doesn't have a monetary value.

One of the things often overlooked when people look at the pay is the fact that an RN is eligible for 26 days of vacation immediately (earned at the rate of 8 hours per pay period)! Most people are working 15 or more years to reach that standing. Then there's the 10 paid Federal holidays, AND sick pay earned at the rate of 4 hours per pay period (13 days a year). While you can't use PTO to fill your gas tank, for some of us, time off is VERY valuable :) :)

[jadiva]

Hi yall!

I've been reading through some of these comments for insights. I was called for a tentative interview for critical care. However, i was told this interview was contingent to me passing an entrance exam. I will not progress to the interview if I fail this test. Anyone knows what this is about?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Only thing I can possibly think of would be the med/dosage calculations test....? Our facility (most, I think?) don't do this until after you've boarded, during orientation. But perhaps the VA you're interested in eliminates the possiblity of hiring someone who cannot pass by doing it prior to even an interview? It seems odd, but maybe that's it.

You would be required to pass a physical exam prior to being officially offered the job, but NOT prior to the interview. You also have to pass the background check, credentialing verification processes but again, never heard of this being done PRIOR to an interview.

[jadiva]

Thanks RNsRWe. I thought it was odd too. But that is what I was told when I was called for a "potential" interview. I was so surprised because this is 1st for me and I have been a nurse almost 10 years now. Anyways, she says they have a lot of candidates. I guess its a way to do process of elimination and choosing the right candidate. I am anticipating that I will do well.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Good luck! If it's just a med/dosage calc test and you've been a nurse for 10 years, you should be fine. :)

[kbl7td]

So I too have a tentative offer for ICU float pool. I've done my blood draw, vetpro and all the HR paper work. I just have to send in my 9 essentials of nursing and wait for my references to do their part...

I've tried to read through this thread, but can any elaborate and any details and extras they want in this experience letter? Both HR and the employee health RN told me to write everything I can think of, even things such as volunteering or coaching, because it all adds up...