Hiring Process for VA (veteran's administration)

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I applied for the VA in TN in July. Got a call for an interview the first week of August. Received a call 3 days later saying i had a tentative offer and had to do the whole process with vetpro and eqip and fingerprinting, physical.... I was sent a link for the vetpro and eqip 2 days later so that i could go ahead and start that process. I did that. A week later they called and asked to set up and time for fingerprinting and physical. Well the NP couldn't see me until September 5th, so of course i had to wait until then..... upon going and getting my physical and fingerprinting they let me see a sheet of things needing to be completed. It showed everything completed. the only thing i'm waiting on now is my drug test which was done on the same day as physical and fingerprinting. She said it could take a week for the results of that to get back...which would have been yesterday! I know for sure that all my Vetpro things are done. I'm not sure as far as the eqip site as i can't log back in for some reason. i do know that they sent a letter to my references from eqip and verified residency.... the process is LONG!!!!!! The NP that did my physical did say if i had everything done by that date (Sept 5) that I should be able to orient sometime at the beginning of October..... whoever would'be known the process is so long... i've had lots of patience... that's the only way to be tho! I am hoping I hear something soon.... hopefully my process is complete! just waiting to hear from them!!! fingers are crossed! i am ready to start working as i am a new GRAD!

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Yay congrats! I am a new grad also working for a VA and I love it! I've been told that the "va way" of doing things is much different than civilian hospitals but I did 2 of my rotations at the VA and did an externship with the VA and now work there, almost all of my experience is with the VA so I dont really have any comparison lol. Yes the process is long, but worth it :) Part of the reason is that they only have new employee orientation once or twice a month so if for example they have orientation on Oct. 3rd and Nov. 14th and you're hired Oct 5th you have to wait until Nov. 14th to actually begin. But kudos to you for completing all the steps! I called about a hundred times with questions trying to fill out all the forms!

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Yay congrats! I am a new grad also working for a VA and I love it! I've been told that the "va way" of doing things is much different than civilian hospitals but I did 2 of my rotations at the VA and did an externship with the VA and now work there, almost all of my experience is with the VA so I dont really have any comparison lol. Yes the process is long, but worth it :) Part of the reason is that they only have new employee orientation once or twice a month so if for example they have orientation on Oct. 3rd and Nov. 14th and you're hired Oct 5th you have to wait until Nov. 14th to actually begin. But kudos to you for completing all the steps! I called about a hundred times with questions trying to fill out all the forms!

I finally received a job offer today and start orientation on oct 9th!!! I am soooo excited. I hope that I love the VA!!!

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Congrats!!! :D

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Thanks!!!!

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Specializes in Tele/med surg/step-down, Cardiology.

Well it seems TN moves faster than TX. I am still waiting, 5 weeks after having my interview, to hear if accepted or not. Called to check and they had not heard anything. I too know they take awhile, but this seems a little bit to long!! I am also not a new grad, but have 11 years of experience. Congrats to you! I have heard once in many don't leave.

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Specializes in Psychiatric RN.

I'm glad you were offered a position. The hiring process in Phoenix took 3 months and I have 15 years experience. I've been here 5 years so far. It doesn't depend on how long you've been a nurse, the process is the same for everyone. The hiring process is very lenghty, and can be discouraging at times. But hang in there.

I applied for the VA in TN in July. Got a call for an interview the first week of August. Received a call 3 days later saying i had a tentative offer and had to do the whole process with vetpro and eqip and fingerprinting, physical.... I was sent a link for the vetpro and eqip 2 days later so that i could go ahead and start that process. I did that. A week later they called and asked to set up and time for fingerprinting and physical. Well the NP couldn't see me until September 5th, so of course i had to wait until then..... upon going and getting my physical and fingerprinting they let me see a sheet of things needing to be completed. It showed everything completed. the only thing i'm waiting on now is my drug test which was done on the same day as physical and fingerprinting. She said it could take a week for the results of that to get back...which would have been yesterday! I know for sure that all my Vetpro things are done. I'm not sure as far as the eqip site as i can't log back in for some reason. i do know that they sent a letter to my references from eqip and verified residency.... the process is LONG!!!!!! The NP that did my physical did say if i had everything done by that date (Sept 5) that I should be able to orient sometime at the beginning of October..... whoever would'be known the process is so long... i've had lots of patience... that's the only way to be tho! I am hoping I hear something soon.... hopefully my process is complete! just waiting to hear from them!!! fingers are crossed! i am ready to start working as i am a new GRAD!
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Well it seems TN moves faster than TX. I am still waiting, 5 weeks after having my interview, to hear if accepted or not. Called to check and they had not heard anything. I too know they take awhile, but this seems a little bit to long!! I am also not a new grad, but have 11 years of experience. Congrats to you! I have heard once in many don't leave.

That is weird that you are waiting so long after the interview to see if you were in the running.... Try to log on to usajobs.gov and check the status of your application. It'll let you know whether you were selected or not.... I hope that everything goes well!!! I think I kind of lucked up some kind of way..... But keep me posted!

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I'm glad you were offered a position. The hiring process in Phoenix took 3 months and I have 15 years experience. I've been here 5 years so far. It doesn't depend on how long you've been a nurse, the process is the same for everyone. The hiring process is very lenghty, and can be discouraging at times. But hang in there.

I start orientation in 3 weeks! Glad they finally contacted me back... Do you remember what your orientation consisted of??? I've heard there was a medication exam of some sorts. Did you have to take this?

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Specializes in Rheumatology/Emergency Medicine.

Congrats on the job with the VA, which one in TN are you starting at? I'm at the VA in Johnson City, TN.

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Congrats on the job with the VA, which one in TN are you starting at? I'm at the VA in Johnson City, TN.

Thank you!!!! I've been very patient and I think it's going to work out well.... I will be working for the VA in Murfreesboro.... Do you like your VA? Anything I should know before going in. I start in 3 weeks??

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Specializes in Public Health Nurse.

What exactly are the pre-requisites for a new grad to work at the VA? I mean, besides being an American citizen.

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