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.
So sorry you didn't get the job. One of my classmates move 3.5 hours away with her family for this residency and she was the first to leave about 3.5 months during the program. My director said she need to know/ working on the residence having a guaranteed job from now on. Also the primary care group last day was today. They graduated 2/4. The other 2 left about 2 weeks ago. I don't think any of them were offer a job at this VA. One did move to florida for a job at a CBOC but she is a veteran and also interviewed in many other states as well for VA jobs.
What a mess. I hope the others who were not offered jobs at their VA landed on their feet elsewhere. It's tough in my area. Either the private sector pay is not that great or they want more experience than I have. Silly me thinking it would be easier to secure a VA position because I am in a VA residency.
What a mess. I hope the others who were not offered jobs at their VA landed on their feet elsewhere. It's tough in my area. Either the private sector pay is not that great or they want more experience than I have. Silly me thinking it would be easier to secure a VA position because I am in a VA residency.
Yes, they all have jobs. I don't think anyone really wanted a job there besides one person because she was already in the system for over 22 years( not the one that moved to FL).She was stabbing people in the back and didn't get a job. She is going back to the floor until she can get an FNP job in the system. Also, we were told up front no guarantee for a job; but the we in our group were told by our directors boss they would create 3 openings for us. As we went along we say they will tell you anything. Also someone let me in on a secret at this location. Jobs are not posted because they are being saved for friends. Even my director says she was called about this position and it was created for her. So it makes since from the beginning, they states you must network your behind off to get what you want. I see that didn't work for the person with 22 years in the same system. She was always in some department kissing butt, and telling on others on the residency.
This is awful news. It just does not make sense the VA wants to have these residencies in order to train APRNs, but make it so difficult to get a job. Even if there is a main hospital somewhere, there's always a lot of the community clinics, or CBOCs, a few hours away. There has to be a need somewhere.
I'm starting to think, you really have to be a wandering nomad in order to land a job at a VA. Unfortunately, some of the clinics that are far away from the larger cities pay less, so not ideal with people who have families to raise or loans to pay.
I'm sure something will come through for all of you. You have experience, extra education, and that has to count for something!!
This is awful news. It just does not make sense the VA wants to have these residencies in order to train APRNs, but make it so difficult to get a job. Even if there is a main hospital somewhere, there's always a lot of the community clinics, or CBOCs, a few hours away. There has to be a need somewhere.
I'm starting to think, you really have to be a wandering nomad in order to land a job at a VA. Unfortunately, some of the clinics that are far away from the larger cities pay less, so not ideal with people who have families to raise or loans to pay.
I'm sure something will come through for all of you. You have experience, extra education, and that has to count for something!!
Its a huge need, but think of it this way. If the VA can keep these residencies(NP, PA, MD) going, pay us/them a lower wage to do all the work for a year or more, why would I higher anyone when I have a new groups of people/residents starting every year to take the work load the full time staff? Honestly the other day, a MD I was working with was in his office playing x-box while I was seeing the patients.
I have been lucky to have to chose between 2 jobs I really wanted to really get started. I chose GI as I get to work clinic and do hospital rounds. I am also starting school for ACNP to make myself more marketable.
Its a huge need, but think of it this way. If the VA can keep these residencies(NP, PA, MD) going, pay us/them a lower wage to do all the work for a year or more, why would I higher anyone when I have a new groups of people/residents starting every year to take the work load the full time staff? Honestly the other day, a MD I was working with was in his office playing x-box while I was seeing the patients.
I have been lucky to have to chose between 2 jobs I really wanted to really get started. I chose GI as I get to work clinic and do hospital rounds. I am also starting school for ACNP to make myself more marketable.
You bring up a very valid point! Never thought of it that way - getting cheaper labor for a year. Although, there is still time commitment and time away for the preceptors, who have to standby and still be responsible for what you're doing and help train you along the way. This also takes away time from them seeing patients.
I'm glad you were able to acquire jobs to choose from afterward. I suppose, if you ever are looking for employment at the VA in the future, it can't be a bad thing you participated in a residency there and actually finished.
For people who might be reading this, and might want to take a shot at a job at the VA while in residency, would you recommend they start applying around the midway point then? It seems the hiring process takes a long time from what I have seen in this post and in others about the VA.
For people who might be reading this, and might want to take a shot at a job at the VA while in residency, would you recommend they start applying around the midway point then?
As soon as you start the residency and get your bearings, start networking. I am dead serious. Let everyone and anyone know you are interested in working at the main campus or one of the CBOCs. All about connections.
I think the ultimate goal for everyone is to employ the residents. It really sucks if that doesn't work out because it is wasted time all around for all involved. I will say I have noticed they have employed more RNs recently into NP positions. So they are VA RNs without NP experience getting hired in the departments they are working in. They have been NPs awhile but working as RNs. Do I think that's necessarily fair? Not exactly
I am so glad they are getting hired. At this location they had a three month residency for VA RNs that has experience elsewhere as FNPs. But they don't do that every year and they are guarantied jobs.
So Congratulations to those of you who went through a VA Residency! It's the end of September, so I am assuming those of you who started last year have officially finished.
If possible, can some of you list what the top Pros and Cons were of doing a VA Residency? Also, was there something they did not cover or focus on while you were there, that you really wish they would have.
It's been dragging for me lately. I am one of 2 in the first PMHNP residency here and while it has potential, it needs a lot of improvement. One irritating note is that I've been basically promised a job from day one but the promise is from people who really have no influence on that. There are no jobs for me at this location ☹️
May I inquire which residency site you were at. I am a PMHNP student and VA HPSP scholar graduating in May 2024. I am required to attend residency. It is my high hope to select a robust and beneficial site. The reason I ask is that I preemptively applied to 2 sites. One says the application cycle ends in January and we will let you know if we will interview you. The other site says the position is yours immediately, just say the word. I am a pessimist and worried that the 'sure thing' may be an undesirable site. Thanks.
Just a tip, for primary care residencies there are 2 different choices under "program." Make sure to look at each one. I think it was just probably an error, but the only difference between the two is one includes the word "program" and the other doesn't. The one that has the actual word "program" in it, is the main one that shows the majority of the residencies.
Freckledkorican, MSN, APRN
122 Posts
What a mess. I hope the others who were not offered jobs at their VA landed on their feet elsewhere. It's tough in my area. Either the private sector pay is not that great or they want more experience than I have. Silly me thinking it would be easier to secure a VA position because I am in a VA residency.