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 ?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

So I don't think there is cause to put that one in.(1 day class orientation)

Did they pay you for your time?

[Hopeful girl]

Yes! They did... But when I talk to the recruiter she said I don't have to.

[nneokill175]

I have dilema, on the same day I got offered a job at one of the state prison, I got a phone call from a VA system. They want to hire me for an eye clinic i believe (I applied to a bunch of nursing positions and unsure of which one they're interviewing me for). I kinda want to work with VA due to them being federal and good benefits.

What do you think i should do? I don't even know that i will be hired at VA but I don't want to lose the prison job in the mean time if i wait too long.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I have dilema, on the same day I got offered a job at one of the state prison, I got a phone call from a VA system. They want to hire me for an eye clinic i believe (I applied to a bunch of nursing positions and unsure of which one they're interviewing me for). I kinda want to work with VA due to them being federal and good benefits.

What do you think i should do? I don't even know that i will be hired at VA but I don't want to lose the prison job in the mean time if i wait too long.

I don't know you from Adam, so can't tell you what you should do, but *I* would take the job that was offered, and then pursue the VA job anyway. You'd at least HAVE a job, while waiting to see what (if anything) materializes at VA.

They're only offering you an interview at this point, right? That's most definitely NOT anything concrete; depending on the position, dozens may be interviewed for the one opening. If you don't get it, you have the State job (which I wouldn't knock for benefits, etc).

If you're an RN, Federal PTO is better than State; if you're an LPN, it's not.

[Hopeful girl]

I agree take job that's offered first

[nneokill175]

Im an RN with BSN

I told the Prison job that I was going away for a week. SO when im back, i iwlll get the ball rolling with them.

THe job that VA is interviewing me is for an eye clinic position. I applied for a bunch of position at VA and that was one of the place. But on my resume, I did not put any eye specialty experience and yet they think im qualify. Is this normal? I honestly, Don't know what to say to help my case when i go for their intervew. I'm probably going to end up looking stupid since i have no experience in eye diseases. But i do know that i want to work for VA.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

VA eye clinics are general clinics; you won't be asked if you know about rare diseases, they do far more with eyeglasses than anything else! At least that's what I'm familiar with in ours. Think "doctor's office" type of RN work, not specialty surgery.

Clinic jobs, in my experience, tend to go to more LPNs than RNs simply because they don't need RN scope of practice for the majority of what they do. Maybe the VA interviewing you is different.

As far as whether you're qualified, if you met the job description in your paperwork, you're qualified. How well you interview will then determine if you get to go any further; some people are great on paper and not so great live, which is why they do lots of interviews!

Good luck :)

[nneokill175]

As far as whether you're qualified, if you met the job description in your paperwork, you're qualified. How well you interview will then determine if you get to go any further; some people are great on paper and not so great live, which is why they do lots of interviews!

Good luck :)

hopefully I wont sound so stupid telling them i have no idea why theyve picked me. Im gonna look up some eye diseases and learn about their SS until my interview in a few days.

[pfchang]

I hope you would not say you have no idea why they picked you to interview. Just look at the PBI questions, prepare some answers, read up on eye exams, etc. act confident, friendly and willing to learn. If you can relate to veterans, say so and why. The vA population is mostly male. If you are male, express that you like to work with men, if you do. Ask questions of them, too. Good luck.

Also, I would take the prison job now. VA jobs can take forever, even when you are the candidate of choice. Mine took 8 months from application to start date. When you get a VA offer, compare it to the prison. If VA wins out, then resign. I don't say that lightly, but you have to think of your career. You may get 6 or 9 months of prison experience if you choose to move to VA, if you get an offer from VA.

[Pairofshues]

I cant wait either..... I will be working in the dallas va... It sucks even more cause i have to do medical stuff out of state

How do you like the Dallas VA? I applied and had a phone interview with them yesterday, as I live in Nevada. I saw some old posts saying the Dallas VA is the worst. I have a few questions for you, if you would PM me I'd appreciate it!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

hopefully I wont sound so stupid telling them i have no idea why theyve picked me. Im gonna look up some eye diseases and learn about their SS until my interview in a few days.

Ok, tell them that and you are guaranteed to sound stupid. Seriously! This is an interview, you shouldn't be wondering aloud why on earth they are interested in you.

As the PP said, read up on PBI (Performance Based Interviews) and go from there.

[Tufnel1]

Congrats! Your process seems to have gone very quickly. I'm wondering how may yrs as an RN you have and what is your speciality? I'm confused as to how they fiqure out the step part of being boarded. Thanks for the info!