Interview @ Houston TX VA

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Specializes in BSN, RN CEN.

Hello AN,

Happy new year to every single one of you! I have an interview at the Houston TX ED coming up. A little bit about myself, I have prior government nursing experience in the ED, have my BSN and CEN along with the regular alphabet soup:) Here are my questions:

  • what's the nurse : patient ratio in the ED? will I have 4 x esi 2 for 12 hours rotating through my rooms?
  • how is the support staff? are there techs available and willing to help?
  • va nurses are title 38 right? yet I found some posts on AN were VA nurses stated they don't get double pay for (worked) holidays, which I remember was a title 38 regulation...
  • What grade/level/step can I expect from the VA for 3-4 years ed experience (BSN, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, CEN)?
  • how is that particular va overall?

Hoping for some insight! Thanks ya'll!

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Hi, I hope all is well. Did you interview yet? If so, how was it? Who did you interview with? What type of questions did they ask?

Thanks in advance

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Specializes in BSN, RN CEN.

Hi! It went well and I really enjoyed the interview. I interviewed with the ED leadership panel consisting of three members. I really want to work there, but after meeting the leadership team my desire to work there was even strengthened. They all seemed very approachable and kind. ED is currently under construction and expanding from 17 beds to 34 beds. Set to complete later this year. Regular interview questions, no surprises.
Do you work for the VA or are you interested? They told me the hiring process can take anywhere from 3-6 months. Wondering how soon I’ll find out ...

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Specializes in Primary Care/ Trauma.

Glad you had a good interview. To answer some of your questions. Yes we are Title 38. We do get 5weeks vacation a year to start, and double pay on the holidays. What other government ED did you work in? The VA ED is going to be different then most civilian ED's/DOD. How many years experience as an RN do you have? I could give a ballpark starting Grade/step.

Good luck!

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Specializes in BSN, RN CEN.

TT2323,

thank you for your reply! I would appreciate your insight about the grade/step.
I was a GS 11/ step 3 when I left DOD nursing. I have a total of 3,5 years ED and RN experience in general. My certifications include: acls, pals, tncc, and cen. Currently working on my MSN

It is taking a very long time! I anticipated this, but heck usagov still says “received” when all along I’ve been referred and already interviewed. Still waiting for an update 2 months later.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU.

Hi MsPurple20!

I’ll be interested to hear how to process pans out. I applied for an IR position in January and received notification that it reached the hiring manager last week. I am relocating in June to Houston so I applied early in anticipation of it taking a while. If you don’t mind, please let me know when you hear back. Also, how long did it take for you to get an interview? Good luck!!

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Specializes in BSN, RN CEN.

ctamuty,

I saw the IR positions posted! I think the fact that they are hiring three IR nurses all at once will probably increase the odds of getting hired compared to a posting that is only pertaining to one slot. But who really knows?

I have been applying with this particular VA since August 2019. The interview I had in January was in relation to an application I submitted in October 2019. One of the charge nurses at my interview stated it took him about 6 months AFTER the interview was conducted to start working.

Side note, if you end up getting an interview - come super early, took me over 30 min to find parking and get to my interview location.

Fingers crossed for you! I know it is worth the wait.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU.

WOW!! And to think I was nervous to be applying so early! Thank you for all the valuable information, I appreciate it and again, good luck!

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Specializes in BSN, RN CEN.
On 3/8/2020 at 4:08 PM, ctamuty said:

Hi MsPurple20!

I’ll be interested to hear how to process pans out. I applied for an IR position in January and received notification that it reached the hiring manager last week. I am relocating in June to Houston so I applied early in anticipation of it taking a while. If you don’t mind, please let me know when you hear back. Also, how long did it take for you to get an interview? Good luck!!

Any updates on your end?

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