My Experience with VA Nursing Proficiency

[ORTech2RN]

Did not want to piggy back on the earlier thread, but my experience with this process is very frustrating.

My Nurse manager submitted mine back in August 2017. I still had not heard from the board by October, so I emailed the point of contact for the board-it was never submitted, or it had been misplaced.

My NM supposedly submitted it the following week. Here we are, the end of January and nothing. In my department I am the only remaining Nurse 1. I have seen a fellow RN with less time come in and receive her Nurse 2. Said RN and I also worked on a unit project that we both submitted on our proficiency.

Even if, by miracle, the board receives the 2017 evaluation, it will get the shredder treatment. No way, no how will they approve a 2017 proficiency and allow me the retroactive pay to June, 2017.

I feel the union would be useless in this matter. I had asked our union rep the previous year about my 2016 rejected proficiency and received a lukewarm response. More or less, not interested.

I'm at a crossroads of sorts. Bottom line, I can't just leave. My earnings and benefits exceed what I would expect from an outside facility. However getting blown off by own management is disheartening.

Any insight?

[3ringnursing, BSN]

The VA moves at it's own pace, and nothing can make it hurry up. When I worked there I referred to it as "The Planet VA", as it truly is a universe unto itself.

You're correct about the union too - about 15 years ago I had a dispute (I had rather hair raising experience where I had been fondled from behind by a CNA who was also a veteran - he was merely moved out of our unit, about 200 feet down the hall to a neighboring unit, not fired. I ran into this codger all over the hospital). The union made all sorts of promises, but in the end they were neutered by management, and nothing was accomplished.

If you've done everything you can possibility do you may have no other alternative but to wait it out - but I don't necessarily think you will be jipped out of retro back pay either. The VA has guidelines and they do adhere to them, regardless of being as slow as an iceberg. What you are due you will get, but it may take longer than originally thought.

You are right about not leaving - that retirement is gold. OPM will make your retirement worth all the headaches now, that is certain.