I interviewed today and was offered one of six resident positions. I lost it. The panel laughed and said my reaction was the best one so far. ?
I was asked nine questions. They were along the lines of "Tell me about yourself; How will you contribute to VA care; Flexibility and describe a time when it was required; Career goals; Rate yourself 0 - 10 in the following aspects, etc.". I was sweating the whole time, but displayed a cool (I think) exterior.
It starts towards the end of September, so plenty of time for me to go over all my material from school and beef up my knowledge so I don't look like a total dunce.
I will periodically update this thread with all my trials and tribulations for those who are interested in applying for a spot in the future and want to know what the year will look like.
I am 6 months or a little more into the PMHNP residency. I am learning that there may be no jobs after being at least 20 times there would. So, what happens if I find a job before I complete this? I am nervous about waiting until it's over before I start looking and interviewing. I would love to work here, but it looks like it may not be meant to be. However, I don't want to burn any bridges, just in case a position opens later. What are others opinions? Thanks
I started in the fall and am halfway through my second rotation. We rotate every 2 months for the first 6 months. The second 6 months we have specialty rotations (not quite sure how this is going to work honestly). Anyway at first it was a lot but I think I've found a rhythm. It's as much or as little as you want to get out of it. I have really tried to do what I can an utilize all the resources that we have available. For our residency we are in lot of different clinics throughout the week. So right now I am in CLC, POSH, COACH, and Geri Pact clinic. For Geri pact we have a panel and we are the PCP. That for me has been the most work beyond that clinic appointment. Lots of f/us, consults, med refills, med changes, etc. But I feel like I have learned the most from that rotation.
We are also being told jobs aren't guaranteed, but I will start putting out apps soon. I cant be without a job. I still work PRN as an RN so I can always go back full time if need be. Also one of my coworkers in the geriatric residency put in her notice. If I find a great opportunity, I will leave as well.
I am 6 months or a little more into the PMHNP residency. I am learning that there may be no jobs after being at least 20 times there would. So, what happens if I find a job before I complete this? I am nervous about waiting until it's over before I start looking and interviewing. I would love to work here, but it looks like it may not be meant to be. However, I don't want to burn any bridges, just in case a position opens later. What are others opinions? Thanks
I say stay w/ the residency, but start applying outside the VA system too. Might not be a bad idea to start applying now - we all know sometimes the whole hiring process can take months!
The worst thing that could happen if you put feelers out there is you find something right away and somebody wants to hire you. In that case, it will be up to you to decide whether to leave the residency or not. Of course, in the future, the VA may not be in the cards due to leaving early.
Hopefully if somebody would like to hire you.......they'll be willing to honor your commitment to the residency and wait for you.
I interviewed last month. Everything moved pretty fast. Received a formal tentative (pending completion of the residency) job offer last week. There is one other person in our group out of 9 total that has a job. It is possible but you have to network, get on USA jobs, and work on your PBI interview skills.
Perioperative Optimization of Senior Health and Caring for Older Adults and Caregivers with Dementia. Posh looks at surgical optimization from a medical standpoint of chronic condition. We also asses risk of delirium and sometimes (often) recommend delaying surgery. Coach is very social work driven. We work a lot with the caregivers connecting them with resources that they need to care for their loved one at home who has dementia.
Hello all! I just finished my third week in pulmonary. I have learned how to read and interpret PFTs, CT scans, and spent time in the ILD, sleep, and ALS clinics. The fellows love to teach and ask me questions to make sure I understand. At times, it can be terrifying, but that's how they learn, hence how they teach.
Next week will be my last week before I move on to GI for a month. After that, I have month long rotations in the ED, cardiology, geriatrics, dermatology, urology, women's health, and home based primary care. I'll spend one week with heme/onc.
One of the residents has already been offered a VA job in pain management and urology is looking to hire one of us as well. I don't live in this area, otherwise I would definitely end up with a job at the end of the residency. I reached out to the VA back home and if a position opens up sometime this year, I will hopefully be a direct hire. We shall see.
Hello all! I just finished my third week in pulmonary. I have learned how to read and interpret PFTs, CT scans, and spent time in the ILD, sleep, and ALS clinics............
Wow! Sounds like you're really getting a lot of exposure to various departments and patients.
Do you feel, as long as a person is open to relocation, getting a job within the VA is within reach?
Also, is there any way to either decline or substitute an experience within this program? For example, if you have zero interest in ED, can you substitute with another or extra rotation in another specialty?
Not sure if you'll know this, but after this residency, what is the pay grade you would be hired at as a New FNP w/ one year experience?
Wow! Sounds like you're really getting a lot of exposure to various departments and patients.
Do you feel, as long as a person is open to relocation, getting a job within the VA is within reach?
Also, is there any way to either decline or substitute an experience within this program? For example, if you have zero interest in ED, can you substitute with another or extra rotation in another specialty?
Not sure if you'll know this, but after this residency, what is the pay grade you would be hired at as a New FNP w/ one year experience?
You didn't ask me but I think I can answer this. Yes I think if you are willing to relocate you can absolutely find a job. I wanted something very specific and wasn't willing to relocate because we've already moved a million times with the military. But if I was younger I would have.
As far as substituting, it would depend on the requirements from the OAA. You need a certain number of hours of patient care to complete the program. For me, that means in geriatrics. But after our required 6 month rotations, we have more freedom within the specialty rotations.
Pay grade depends on years of nursing experience and your CV. A federal resume, from what I've been told, should not be the traditional 2 pages and made to look pretty. Mine is 4 pages right now. You want every thing on there because it affects your pay. Pay grade will vary person to person.
Wow! Sounds like you're really getting a lot of exposure to various departments and patients.
Do you feel, as long as a person is open to relocation, getting a job within the VA is within reach?
Also, is there any way to either decline or substitute an experience within this program? For example, if you have zero interest in ED, can you substitute with another or extra rotation in another specialty?
Not sure if you'll know this, but after this residency, what is the pay grade you would be hired at as a New FNP w/ one year experience?
Oh, yeah. In the VISN I am currently training, one of the residents already has a VA job lined up. Another clinic has asked if any of the residents would like to work with them at the end of residency. In the cohort before mine, all the residents easily found jobs, some within the residency VISN and others in different states. I am not from here, so fingers crossed there will be an open position (hoping for derm?) at one of my home VA medical centers or outlying clinics.
My director is awesome. You can decline an optional rotation, such as the ED, but there are certain ones you cannot, such as pulmonary or cardiology. If some other area peaks your interest and it's not part of our rotations, you can ask if they can set it up. For example, derm was added to our cohort because one of the residents expressed interest, but only two of us can rotate at this time; I am one of the two.
As far as pay grade, momathoner09 is absolutely correct. Make sure the federal CV contains every last drop of your experience. Doesn't matter how long it is; put it all in there.
You didn't ask me but I think I can answer this. Yes I think if you are willing to relocate you can absolutely find a job.......
Pay grade depends on years of nursing experience and your CV. A federal resume, from what I've been told, should not be the traditional 2 pages and made to look pretty. Mine is 4 pages right now. You want every thing on there because it affects your pay. Pay grade will vary person to person.......
This is great information! Thank you so much for responding @momathoner09 I appreciate all responses from everybody ?
Oh, yeah. In the VISN I am currently training, one of the residents already has a VA job lined up. Another clinic has asked if any of the residents would like to work with them at the end of residency........
My director is awesome. You can decline an optional rotation, such as the ED, but there are certain ones you cannot, such as pulmonary or cardiology. If some other area peaks your interest and it's not part of our rotations, you can ask if they can set it up. For example, derm was added to our cohort because one of the residents expressed interest, but only two of us can rotate at this time; I am one of the two......
This is really good to know. I have no desire to do ED. Just not my cup of tea. I'd much rather spend more time in cardiology or elsewhere. Good to hear they're willing to work with you, if they can.
Looking back at where you were after you got out of school and now, do you feel more confident? Has the past 6 months really made a big difference for you? I just started my first clinical rotation in January as a FNP student, so almost at the 2 month mark. Imposter syndrome is real! ?? Sometimes, what I'm thinking of doing for a patient is correct, but I definitely need to be guided on making the right choice (best med for patient, etc..). I guess I can't be too hard on myself as I'm just a beginner and still have 10 more months of school/clinical, but I like what I'm hearing so far about the VA Residency program. You're very lucky to have such great support!!
terrylynn23
3 Posts
I am 6 months or a little more into the PMHNP residency. I am learning that there may be no jobs after being at least 20 times there would. So, what happens if I find a job before I complete this? I am nervous about waiting until it's over before I start looking and interviewing. I would love to work here, but it looks like it may not be meant to be. However, I don't want to burn any bridges, just in case a position opens later. What are others opinions? Thanks