Current VA RN Here To Provide Assistance

pfchang · Jan 12, 2015

There are several different threads regarding several issues at the VA. One of the biggest problems here on AN is duplication of threads, IMO. There is a long thread re hiring at the VA. If you read it, you will see that there are as many different hiring processes as there are VAs. Your experience is that of one person and can not assist everyone trying to get through the VA process. Encourage those who have PMd you (I wonder how many there really are) to ask their questions on the threads or to PM others who have experience with other VAs. There are a great group of people here willing to assist.

Reading through the threads provides a wealth of knowledge and is respectful of everyone's time.

jadiva · Jan 13, 2015

I do think this is one of the biggest misconceptions about VA, that because they are "all over" the country, one can simply transfer to the location he or she desires. Absolutely not so!
People apply to open positions the same as anyone else would; time/experience/performance in a current VA position definitely do give people a leg up, but NOT if they don't fit the bill, or fit it best.
I have definitely seen people who have been trying to get into this VA or that VA over the years, and cannot for whatever reason. If there simply IS no job opening, then there's nothing to apply to: one won't be created because a VA employee elsewhere would like to move in.
Unfortunately, I've also known several people who have left VA for other employers simply because they have tried a number of times to "transfer" (apply elsewhere) and haven't had their applications approved. Eventually, if they want to move to a certain area badly enough....they just go there, without VA.
I think accepting a job with a VA with the expectation of being able to move somewhere else when they would like....or at ALL....is a poor plan, IMHO.

Thanks for the information because I really did not know that.

Tammy197378 · Jan 19, 2015

Chang every response you post reads like a condescending and disrespectful response. Please be aware of the inflection of your responses so that it comes across as helpful and not rude.

Thank you so much

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jan 20, 2015

Chang every response you post reads like a condescending and disrespectful response. Please be aware of the inflection of your responses so that it comes across as helpful and not rude.
Thank you so much

To whom is this directed? If you use the 'Quote' button on the bottom right-hand corner of the post to which you want to respond, it will automatically place that person's post in a white box on the top of your response. Otherwise, sometimes we can tell who a post was for.....and sometimes not.

pfchang · Jan 22, 2015

Chang every response you post reads like a condescending and disrespectful response. Please be aware of the inflection of your responses so that it comes across as helpful and not rude.
Thank you so much

RNsRWe, i believe this was directed at me. Tammy197378, please be aware that I am ignoring it.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jan 22, 2015

RNsRWe, i believe this was directed at me. Tammy197378, please be aware that I am ignoring it.

Guess not everyone wants to be a member of the Fan Club :)

klea · Jan 24, 2015

Hello fellow VA RNs!

I'm currently working in acute care but have an opportunity to transfer to a CBOC.

Are there any CBOC RNs out there? I'm wondering what your days looks like, and what the main duties are in the CBOC for an RN?

I welcome all feedback--

Thanks!!

klea · Jan 24, 2015

Really? Wow! I know many people who have transferred between VAs--including myself. I recently transferred to a different state. The process was pretty seamless.

That said--it's not just a transfer. You have to be hired at the other VA-I had to interview, provide references, my annual evals etc... I also had to be re-boarded.

The advantage is that as a VA employee, you get first option for an interview--technically. Also, you can apply for the positions listed for internal applicants only. And, the whole process is MUCH faster.

Good luck!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

Really? Wow! I know many people who have transferred between VAs--including myself. I recently transferred to a different state. The process was pretty seamless.
That said--it's not just a transfer. You have to be hired at the other VA-I had to interview, provide references, my annual evals etc... I also had to be re-boarded.
The advantage is that as a VA employee, you get first option for an interview--technically. Also, you can apply for the positions listed for internal applicants only. And, the whole process is MUCH faster.
Good luck!

Oh, of course it happens, and a lot. Didn't want to give the idea that it was impossible...but it ISN'T really a 'transfer' as much as it is getting a new job within the same company. That's the misconception I was describing: people think "I work for VA, now I can ask to move anywhere in the country as a transfer, and I get to go where I want". Umm....no. As you already know, you have to apply, be interviewed, and still be the best candidate for the job.

I've absolutely seen many people take on new jobs all over VA! But I've also seen many who have tried for years to go to another State, sometimes the same job, sometimes a different one, and been denied time after time after time. I think I mostly wanted people to know it's not a plan one should expect to have in place ("I'll get this job here, but I'll just ask for a transfer next year to Hawaii"). LOL, if only....!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

Hello fellow VA RNs!
I'm currently working in acute care but have an opportunity to transfer to a CBOC.
Are there any CBOC RNs out there? I'm wondering what your days looks like, and what the main duties are in the CBOC for an RN?
I welcome all feedback--
Thanks!!

NO first-hand knowledge, but a co-worker of mine left our VAMC as a floor nurse for a CBOC position mostly because she wanted the schedule of a clinic: M-F, days only, no holidays. Essentially, she was sick of floor nursing and the 24/7 scheduling and wanted a clinic-kind of change. She got it :)

She hasn't asked to come back, so...I guess she's good there!

Good luck :)

atrn4887 · Feb 14, 2015

Hello-

I posted these questions in another really old forum so I'm going to try again as this one seems more up to date.

I currently applied to a part time inpatient psych unit position, I was offered an interview with the unit and HR also forwarded me to there SCI unit because this unit had a few openings. I was contacted by the SCI unit floor manager to see if I was interested in interviewing and we set up an interview the following week. The interview went well and I found I wanted to pursue this floor compared to the psych unit because it sounded like something I would prefer... plus its a full time position. The same day I interviewed, I found out that the SCI unit manager began calling my professional references. She was able to get in contact with all 4 references.

What is the next step then? Will they offer me a contingent job offer and then I proceed with Vetpro? Also, will they do more with my professional references, like send them paperwork or anything?

I current work on a sub acute rehab floor and have been an RN for 6 months. I did not list anyone from my current job as a reference for a few reasons.... I don't want them to know I'm looking for another position is the main one. Will they eventually contact my supervisor to verify employment or will they contact my HR?

My last question... if they do offer a position to me, will they tell you a start date that you must abide by or can you negotiate this, I would like to give a 6 week notice to my current employer is why I ask.

Thank you for any help :) and sorry if this is repetitive, it just seems like no two VA hiring processes are the same

pfchang · Feb 15, 2015

The other thread you posted in is not really old. It was started a few years ago but if you read back you will see that it has very current and informative posts.