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 ?

Hi everyone! I figured I would add my current experience with the VA and hopefully get some advice. So I put up all my info on USAjobs and started applying for random position even though I'm a new grad and all the postings wanted someone with experience. Luckily a recruiter actually called me to see if I was interested in their new nurse program that they just opened up. Naturally I said yes and went in for the interview; getting the "conditional" job offer a week later. So in the past 2 weeks I've gone in to review my application packet, got a salary quote, just did the physical and background check the other day, and filled out the VetPro forms online. My HR contact told me that they are waiting on some forms she sent to the people on my professional reference list.

Is there anything else that I should be doing? Given the complicated/lengthy hiring process, I feel that just waiting for them to call/email would be a bad idea.

Specializes in ONC.

Well Met Everyone,

Besides USA Jobs, where else do I look for getting hired to a VA Clinic...preferrably Green Bay or Appleton, Wisconsin.

Thank You

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Well Met Everyone,

Besides USA Jobs, where else do I look for getting hired to a VA Clinic...preferrably Green Bay or Appleton, Wisconsin.

Thank You

That's it — all jobs are posted there. You can check the VA website — VA Careers Home — but it just shows you what is posted on USAjobs.

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Since nursing in the VA is a title 38 position you can submit your resume directly to the VA you want to work at.

you can, but that doesn't mean that the nurse manager is authorized to hire off the cert from HR, we just recently got the Ok To hire with resumes versus strictly USA JOBS

I'm so excited! I FINALLY got my firm offer from the VA! It's been a long wait since December and I'll start in April. Life is great!

awesome! welcome to the team!

Congratulations!

Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Education, Informatics.

Congratulations

you can, but that doesn't mean that the nurse manager is authorized to hire off the cert from HR, we just recently got the Ok To hire with resumes versus strictly USA JOBS

I have a question about this. I called a nurse recruiter two weeks ago and she asked me for my resume saying she would forward it to the managers of the units I was interested in. I got a call from a manager that same day and had a phone interview a week later. I currently work for a VA hospital, but am having to move. But all that manager has is my resume. So I'm wondering if they'll ask for references later (if I'm selected, which I'm feeling might not be too likely :( ) Also wondering what the transfer process is like in general.

Just wanted to leave a comment about my hiring experience thus far.

I graduated from an accelerated second degree program end of February 2016. From November 2015 to February 2016 I did my senior clinical rotation at the Milwaukee VA. In the middle of February, I contacted a nurse HR recruiter by simply emailing her and asking her how to apply. There were no job postings on USA jobs for the Milwaukee VA. She sent me a couple of application forms for me to fill out and to return to her. As a new grad who didn't take the NCLEX yet at that point, I had a lot of N/As. On the form, I had to list 4 references. I emailed her all the forms. I took the NCLEX in the middle of March and passed. Called the HR recruiter to let her know that I passed and gave her my license number. In the first week of April, I got a phone call from a manager for an interview. Went in a week later for it. They have what is called Problem Based Interviewing where every single question requires you to provide an example. The next week after that, I was asked to come in to interview with two nurses from the shift I would be working with. Finally, last week I got a call from the HR recruiter with a tentative job offer that gave me further instructions as well as the salary I will be making. This week I will be getting my physical done, labs drawn for titres, fingerprinting and I believe a drug test. Supposedly when that is all done, I will have a VETpro rep email me.

Just wanted to leave a comment about my hiring experience thus far.

I graduated from an accelerated second degree program end of February 2016. From November 2015 to February 2016 I did my senior clinical rotation at the Milwaukee VA. In the middle of February, I contacted a nurse HR recruiter by simply emailing her and asking her how to apply. There were no job postings on USA jobs for the Milwaukee VA. She sent me a couple of application forms for me to fill out and to return to her. As a new grad who didn't take the NCLEX yet at that point, I had a lot of N/As. On the form, I had to list 4 references. I emailed her all the forms. I took the NCLEX in the middle of March and passed. Called the HR recruiter to let her know that I passed and gave her my license number. In the first week of April, I got a phone call from a manager for an interview. Went in a week later for it. They have what is called Problem Based Interviewing where every single question requires you to provide an example. The next week after that, I was asked to come in to interview with two nurses from the shift I would be working with. Finally, last week I got a call from the HR recruiter with a tentative job offer that gave me further instructions as well as the salary I will be making. This week I will be getting my physical done, labs drawn for titres, fingerprinting and I believe a drug test. Supposedly when that is all done, I will have a VETpro rep email me.

That sounds like the perfect scenario for a new grad! haha. Did they call any of your references? Congrats too!

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