Chronicles of a VA APRN Resident

Specialties Advanced Nursing Q/A

Updated:   Published

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.

Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.
Mergirlc said:

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.

prettymica said:

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.

Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.
prettymica said:

I am also starting school for ACNP to make myself more marketable.

I should've gone through that program from the get go. I think it is more marketable as well. 

Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.
Mergirlc said:

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.

Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.
momathoner09 said:

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.

Any advice to those of us considering applying?

 

Specializes in PMHNP / DNP Student.
terrylynn23 said:

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.

Does anyone have a link to the VA FNP residencies throughout the US? I can't seem to find a source.

For those of you who completed the residency, are you credentialed through the VA site? Do you write your own prescriptions? 

Andrea F said:

Does anyone have a link to the VA FNP residencies throughout the US? I can't seem to find a source.

For those of you who completed the residency, are you credentialed through the VA site? Do you write your own prescriptions? 

https://www.VA.gov/oaa/nursingprograms/nursing-programs.asp

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.

 

Thank you so much!! That is the link I was searching for! 

For those of you in the program, are you credentialed as a provider? Can you write your own prescriptions? 

Specializes in ER.

Hey guys! IDK if anyone still in on this forum or not, but I am currently applying to a couple of the VA residencies listed in this thread and I wanted to ask a few questions if possible! I have applied to the North Florida and the Orlando VA as well as a random Nashville VA. I am looking forward to hearing back from the programs and starting! 

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