Anyone applied/participated/interviewed for the VALOR program?

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I' am in the process of applying for the VA VALOR program. Just wondering if there are any tips on what to include in my cover letter, what the interview is like, and anything that would increase my chances of getting accepted. Thanks for your help!!

Hi guys!

I'm thinking about applying this year for my VA's VALOR program, so I'm tagging myself with this thread. Good luck with everything and everyone!

I'm in SF bay area and I know it's offered in Martinez, Oakland and Sacramento. I'm fairly certain it's offered in palo alto as well, although I'm not positive.

The program is wonderful. I've started so many IVs I've lost count, given injections, passed meds, done IV push meds (which we aren't allowed to do during school at my university), recovered patients after surgery independently, etc. You really feel like you're functioning as a nurse and you learn A LOT!

Hey Bluechick112! Remember me? I'm so glad that I saw you here again. Please PM me! I've got SO much to ask you about VALOR and tell you and even fill you in with happened with me over the past years ASAP!!!

Glad to see that you're still doing well!

S.Snake.

I just graduated nursing school and was a VALOR myself, i would highly recommend it. As a valor I did 400 hours, and then was hired on as a tech after that and continued to work through nursing school. It was a great experience and I really learned a lot, plus the pays not bad ;) Feel free to ask any questions you may have. :)

I just graduated nursing school and was a VALOR myself, i would highly recommend it. As a valor I did 400 hours, and then was hired on as a tech after that and continued to work through nursing school. It was a great experience and I really learned a lot, plus the pays not bad ;) Feel free to ask any questions you may have. :)

Hello! I just requested an application from the VA for the valor program and I too live in AZ. What do you think were key points to have on your resume? What was the average GPA of students accepted. What can I do to really set myself apart? Sorry to hound you, I've never applied for anything like this before and I desperately want into this program. I had a clinical rotation at the VA and fell in love with it.

Hey sgoneal! Do you mind if i ask what program you're in? If the application process is still the same, they will send everyone some questions to answer and send back. I personally believe it was the questions that helped them decide who to interview more than the resume, because most nursing students have the same experience. But of course do include on your resume that you had clinical experience at the VA. They gave us a couple weeks to answer the questions so you should have plenty of time to answer them well. From what I remember they asked what we would bring to the VA, to discuss a difficult situation and how we handled it, and if we have a mentor and what have they taught us. (there was more but i dont remember off the top of my head). I asked during my interview what type of person they were looking for and what they really want is someone who is genuinely passionate about caring for our veterans, so make sure to emphasize that! Good luck :) and let me know if you have any other questions.

Hi Tarabara!

I'm currently in the process of doing the application for the VALOR program in Washington State. Can you give me some tips of what I should include in my cover letter? It asks about strengths that I could bring to the program, but I was just wondering if there were any specifics that I should add?

Thanks!

Hi Tarabara!

I'm currently in the process of doing the application for the VALOR program in Washington State. Can you give me some tips of what I should include in my cover letter? It asks about strengths that I could bring to the program, but I was just wondering if there were any specifics that I should add?

Thanks!

A cover letter is just a short introduction of who your are, why you went into nursing, and above anything else a quick sales pitch of why you think your the best one to fill the position. Its the US government, so if you were told about it yesterday, put that packet together this weekend, and get it to them by Monday. Don't wait, don't think you have time, because you don't; think first come first serve.

Hey sgoneal! Do you mind if i ask what program you're in? If the application process is still the same, they will send everyone some questions to answer and send back. I personally believe it was the questions that helped them decide who to interview more than the resume, because most nursing students have the same experience. But of course do include on your resume that you had clinical experience at the VA. They gave us a couple weeks to answer the questions so you should have plenty of time to answer them well. From what I remember they asked what we would bring to the VA, to discuss a difficult situation and how we handled it, and if we have a mentor and what have they taught us. (there was more but i dont remember off the top of my head). I asked during my interview what type of person they were looking for and what they really want is someone who is genuinely passionate about caring for our veterans, so make sure to emphasize that! Good luck :) and let me know if you have any other questions.

I didn't receive any questions in my packet. in fact, I cannot believe how simple it is. half of the document is background check/parking related. Tarabara could you please email me at [email protected] I have a couple other questions to ask you.

Specializes in Oncology/Hematology.

I completed the VALOR program this month and I did not receive any questions in the application packet either. From what I understand, each VA varies greatly on the application/interview process for this program and one cannot be compared to the other because of the substantial differences.Best of luck!

Sgoneal- I emailed you so check your email! :)

Hmm I wonder if we had extra questions because there were a lot of applicants because I do remember them saying something like 'due to the number of applicants we would like you to fill out these questions to help us chose candidates for interview'.

Got a random like from this post, but i'm now working for the VA, yet when I graduated I did not. Still a weird system to work for: if you have worked for one VA...you have worked for one VA.

good luck.

Do you know of anyone who did the VALOR program at a prompt care clinic? Or since you have been with the VA, maybe you have some insight on the prompt care clinics? I was just accepted for the VALOR program at a California prompt care. I'd like to be in the ED but I am hoping this will be valuable. Any input?

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