New Grads VA Hiring

[kgg6]

Would anyone happen to know if the VA ever hires new grads? Does anyone have any good links on how to create a nursing resume that the finicky usajobs.gov will not filter out? Or is there no point to applying until after one has passed the NCLEX and gotten a year or two of experience? Thanks!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

The short answer is YES, the VA does hire new grads; there is a very nice internship program for BSN students who are still in school (VALOR program). The longer answer is whether you will be hired will depend largely on the specific facility to which you are applying, and their needs. If they have sufficient new grads and are looking for experienced nurses, you won't make the cut. If, however that particular facility isn't overwhelmed with new grads, you COULD luck out :)

As for the USAJobs website, it won't filter out your resume, what you put on it WILL get you looked at or not, though. The website requires you to have EVERYTHING completed in order for your application to be considered; even one box unchecked, or one form missing, or one supplement not uploaded results in an incomplete application.....and it's all tossed. You will not be notified, you will be eliminated.

I don't know of any VAMC that will hire a new grad without a license, however. Since one is required to hold a valid State-issued license in order to be considered for a nursing job (and one would be needed in order to go through the credentialing process) I cannot see how you could get through before becoming licensed. Perhaps, though, as a student intern...? But again, that is also posted.

So, what to do? Read CAREFULLY what the job posting is asking for. If you meet the criteria, VERY carefully apply, making sure that EVERYTHING is there that they ask for. If you don't meet the criteria, you can't "finagle" it so that you do.....it's' a filter for a reason :)

Knowing all that.....good luck to you!

[norynne328]

Hey kgg6,

My local metropolitan area VA just had postings the week of Christmas for New-to-Practice (new grads) nurses for Med-surg and Behavioral health. No experience needed. The job postings for the two programs were posted and the application closed one week later. I do believe you need to be finished your BSN and having passed NCLEX to apply. I applied and my application went to the general US jobs and once they saw I met the qualifications, my application was referred over to my local VA. So right now my status is "referred". I know the VA hiring process can be lengthy so im just checking my status once a week or so and continuing my job hunt.

Outside of specific new grad postings like this, the other VA postings I've seen have required experience.

[kgg6]

Thank you for the responses! I was wondering if I could begin the application process in, say, April, even though I will probably take the NCLEX in June. But it sounds like I could only start the process after I pass -- which makes sense -- but like you guys said, it is a lengthy process! Maybe I will apply if there are spots open for New Grads this summer. Thanks for your advice!

[lidleanjel]

They hire new grads all the time. You should look into the VALOR residency program and go to the usajob.gov website to look for openings