Help getting into va system

athena55, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2009

Hello Everyone i need help getting into the VA system I am fairly new grad one year experience with psych in the private sector and am now looking into getting in the VA system. I have 4 years prior service as enlisted in the air force and am really missing the military. I want to work for a system that would provide a retirement. Is the VA system hard to get into? is there a freeze? any information would be appreciated.

Hello Melinanpt:

I think I saw a response to this post on another thread? I believe I read that (I want to say Just_Cause) responded that you should take your DD214, your nursing license, transcripts from your nursing program and go to your local VA and ask to speak to a nurse recruiter. Fill out the application and submit it along with a few of your business cards and wait....and wait some more.

I am originally from NYC and I was told there was a hiring freeze going on over there, not sure if it involved the Fed or not....When I was a civilian I worked for VISN3 and I enjoyed it very much. Hard work....frequently understaffed, but I enjoyed the floor I was on and the staff. We were a team!

With fingers crossed you will be called to come in and take the medication exam (I kind of remember one must pass with a score of 80%; but in your application packet should be an example of the kinds of meds you should know and be familiar with)...and then after a wee bit you will be asked to come in for an interview

Good Luck

athena

Melinanpt · Jan 20, 2009

Hello Melinanpt:
I think I saw a response to this post on another thread? I believe I read that (I want to say Just_Cause) responded that you should take your DD214, your nursing license, transcripts from your nursing program and go to your local VA and ask to speak to a nurse recruiter. Fill out the application and submit it along with a few of your business cards and wait....and wait some more.
I am originally from NYC and I was told there was a hiring freeze going on over there, not sure if it involved the Fed or not....When I was a civilian I worked for VISN3 and I enjoyed it very much. Hard work....frequently understaffed, but I enjoyed the floor I was on and the staff. We were a team!
With fingers crossed you will be called to come in and take the medication exam (I kind of remember one must pass with a score of 80%; but in your application packet should be an example of the kinds of meds you should know and be familiar with)...and then after a wee bit you will be asked to come in for an interview
Good Luck
athena

I am originally from NYC as well but am now in RI and they also told me they had a hiring freeze. I originally filled out an application via usajobs but so far no response:( How is your experince with the VA? how are the working conditions? any mandatory overtime? unions? medical dental plan any good? How was the medication exam and the interview? sorry i'm asking so much just want to be as prepared as possible

athena55, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2009

i am originally from nyc as well but am now in ri and they also told me they had a hiring freeze. i originally filled out an application via usajobs but so far no response:( how is your experience with the va? how are the working conditions? any mandatory overtime? unions? medical dental plan any good? how was the medication exam and the interview? sorry i'm asking so much just want to be as prepared as possible

hello melinanpt!

i would also suggest going to the va that you have in mind and going to the nurse recruiters office....at most va's outside the office will be application packets (rn. lpn) pick one up and start filling it out.

i really enjoyed working at the va. i liked the fact that many of the staff were prior service. i enjoy "giving back" to our veterans and i liked the fact that many of the rn's, lpn's, dietary, cna's, housekeeping, etc have worked there for 15, 20, 25 + years. i worked my orifice off! i worked evening shift 8 hours and i earned every penny, but then again, i enjoy what i do. working for the federal government can be interesting. many people don't even bother to "rock the boat" (an expression) meaning they just do whatever it takes to get through the shift,;but there are a few people who want to try new ideas, bring new practices into their particular unit, but the government being the government, progress is s l o w. many people work 8-4 and don't answer the phone before 0800 and not one minuted after 1600.

mandatory ot? well, i guess it depends on where you work, what type of unit etc. not really mandatory.....but the ot $$ is good plus you make double on holidays (12 federal holidays)

unions: yes there is a professional union, i can't remember the name. not many nurses were members. not mandatory to join up.

medical and dental: can't really help you there, but lots of information on that when you eventually get hired. when you do get hired you will be on probation for 2 years.

the medication exam wasn't that hard at all. like i said in a prior post: in the application packet will be an example of the types of drugs you need to know: when and why given, action, side effects etc example: antidote for heparin is ____? i believe multiple choice exam

i hope this helps. good luck!

athena oh and it was patrick1 that gave you that excellent advice!