Veteran Affairs Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in med/surg.

My spouse is a 100% sevice-connected disabled vet. I would like to work at a veteran's hospital. I will be graduating in May with an ADN (no experience). How hard is it to get hired by the VA, and how long does the process take? Willing to relocate, any hospitals more welcoming to new grads? Thanks for any info.

I would contact your local VA. THe nationwide website is http://www.Usajobs.gov. I would also call your local VA and let them know you are a new grad. I know my local VA hired some new grads for the nursing home unit. For my unit which is a medical unit required 1 year of med surg exp. Good luck.

Specializes in Emergency, CCU, SNF.

I filled out an app in December, was contacted for an interview at the end of February, I'm currently going through the background checks and hiring process. I was told it could take up to six weeks. My original start date was supposed to be 03/15, however they couldn't get me in for a physical until mid March, so I'll be starting in April. Plan ahead....they want lots of background info.

I think it's a long process!!! I applied for a VA hosp position in September or October I think, it was a 2 part application I think, filled out both parts...waited for the closing date to pass on the applications. I was well qualified for the position. The recruiter called and said that they were reviewing all of the apps and she would be in touch. A month later, I got a phone call saying that their funding had been cut short they didn't know if they were going to be able to open up the unit on time (it was a brand new unit I was applying for). A month after that...I got a letter in the mail stating that they had suspended the project, but thank you for applying. =(

Should one call the recruiters and check on the status of things? Or does that just tick them off? Some jobs (such as education jobs) the more you check, the better you look. Is it that way with VA nursing jobs? I applied for a job with them, and I did call once. They took my name when I did, but really didn't answer my question, which was "is there anything else you need from me?"Sigh.....so very convoluted to apply to a government job.

Specializes in Army Medic.

Be prepared for a long wait. Government jobs go through the DOJ for background information - which takes forever.

Aunt applied at a VA...8 months later she got a call back that they were ready for her to start. By then she had moved on.

I don't know if your husband being rated at 100% has any effect on them taking you into consideration.

Specializes in MICU/SICU.

Just to echo others ... it's a long process. You'll want to be patient.

I don't think your husband being service connected has any bearing on your getting hired, but if YOU are a vet (disabled or not) you get preference points, make sure you fill in that part of the application and have a copy of your DD-214 ready

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Yep, it is only YOUR qualifications that get you job preference.

My spouse is a 100% sevice-connected disabled vet. I would like to work at a veteran's hospital. I will be graduating in May with an ADN (no experience). How hard is it to get hired by the VA, and how long does the process take? Willing to relocate, any hospitals more welcoming to new grads? Thanks for any info.

It's totally worth the wait...I am a traveling nurse working the VA

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