Please help VA nurses!

Specialties Government

Published

I just went yesterday for an interview at a local VA and I REALLY want this position!! I've been in the nursing field for 10 years and would like to settle in with the VA for many, many reasons. Anyhow, I feel as though I did well in the interview but I don't understand the portfolio for HR. I was told that IF I was even considered, I would still go through a process of building a portfolio for HR before being accepted for a full time position. I am really stressing over this thing and would like to know if anyone could give me a little run down on what they ask for so I can get started on getting the info together....just in case I make it through the interview process. Thank you all for any comments. I greatly apprecite you for anything you can tell me.

Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
OlderthanD,

Wow. Welcome to the Army now hurry up and wait.:D LOL

I have a couple waivers in my packet also. I hope it does'nt take 2 more months to hear yea or nay. I have been "in process" for 8 months already.

Congrats on your commission BTW. Capt?

Hey 66H5M,

What does your recruiter say about the time frame to hear back from the board? Pretty much I was told I was accepted when both waivers went through---

When you say you have been in the process for 8 months, does that mean "the gathering all the paperwork and application phase"? It took me months also to complete /resubmit/resubmit to the recruiter too...

Now, I am thinking OBLC won't happen until Jan. (I keep saying this in all my posts, sorry...I drone on and on).

Good Luck----let us know when you find out.

1Lt. Benton :nuke:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency RN, CEN.
Hey 66H5M,

What does your recruiter say about the time frame to hear back from the board? Pretty much I was told I was accepted when both waivers went through---

When you say you have been in the process for 8 months, does that mean "the gathering all the paperwork and application phase"? It took me months also to complete /resubmit/resubmit to the recruiter too...

Now, I am thinking OBLC won't happen until Jan. (I keep saying this in all my posts, sorry...I drone on and on).

Good Luck----let us know when you find out.

1Lt. Benton :nuke:

OTD2,

Yeah, "8 months" for filling out, gathering paperwork, submitting, resubmitting, going to DODMERB PhysEx etc etc.

My recruiter just sent me an email that states "I will let you know tomorrow". Whatever that means. He was not specific as to what he was referring to. I cant imagine he will know that fast.

I noticed you have 5.5 yrs under your belt... hence the O2 accession rank. I was guessing 03. Once again... congrats.

Im a noob, with 1.5 years out of school, so Ill go in as a "butterbar". Fingers crossed. They say 2yrs exp to obtain the Mike Five identifier but since I was ambitious and obtained my CEN they let that requirement slide.

BTW, just curious. Since this thread was originally about VA stuff. Have you ever heard anything about "double dipping" benes for working at the VA and serving in the reserves?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

66 hotel and olderthan... Good luck to both of you...... Hope the wait is short.. Take care... Keep us posted!!!!!!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
OTD2,

Yeah, "8 months" for filling out, gathering paperwork, submitting, resubmitting, going to DODMERB PhysEx etc etc.

My recruiter just sent me an email that states "I will let you know tomorrow". Whatever that means. He was not specific as to what he was referring to. I cant imagine he will know that fast.

I noticed you have 5.5 yrs under your belt... hence the O2 accession rank. I was guessing 03. Once again... congrats.

Im a noob, with 1.5 years out of school, so Ill go in as a "butterbar". Fingers crossed. They say 2yrs exp to obtain the Mike Five identifier but since I was ambitious and obtained my CEN they let that requirement slide.

BTW, just curious. Since this thread was originally about VA stuff. Have you ever heard anything about "double dipping" benes for working at the VA and serving in the reserves?

Hi 66H5M,

Hey, congrats to you for the CEN--that is a hard test, I know, I 've take the CCRN in adults and peds, and it "Kicked my :bugeyes:" in Peds.

Anyway you can "get that identifier" works!!

Hooah, for doing it before your second year!!!

Sorry I can't help on the "double-dipping benes for working at the VA and serving reserves---don't know much on that end. I do know that the VA pays (or use to) very well for "loan repayment in nursing". However, I don't think they would go for anyone receiving loan repayment from both (AR & VA).

Did you sign for 3 or 6yrs? I did 6---

Good luck with tomorrows conversation with the Recruiter, fingers crossed!!!

Let us know,

cb

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency RN, CEN.

OTD2,

I signed for 6. (hope to stay for 20)

The CEN was tough. My cohorts thought I was crazy for attempting it witout the experience to back it up. I passed on the second try. I have never had much trouble with didactics... application is where I struggle some times.

Recruiter said no nurses were "boarded" yesterday... they are meeting again today...hopefully they will pick up my packet or I will have to wait another month.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

Good luck with TODAY!!!! :)

cindy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency RN, CEN.

Update: Recruiter sent me an email regreting that I was not boarded today either. I now have to wait until June 6th... oh well, 2 more weeks isnt going to kill me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

"Update: Recruiter sent me an email regreting that I was not boarded today either. I now have to wait until June 6th... oh well, 2 more weeks isnt going to kill me."

Hi 66H5M,

I am sorry you have to wait ---it is a miserable feeling, I think everyone who posts here know how that feels.

That being said, it still..... @#$@#%!!!

Did they have alot of applicants and they couldn't get to them all? Or do they review all the applicants again in 2 weeks?

cb

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency RN, CEN.

OTD2,

94 nurse applications to be boarded last month alone according to my recruiter. That number sounds awfully high... I wonder if that includes all direct commission medical applicants from this neck of the woods.

He also mentioned that a waiver held mine up this time... said he doesn't foresee an issue though.... fingers crossed.

Waiting does suck ... especially if it is something you desire strongly. Life is a waiting game though and you cant escape it... you wait everywhere you go.

Hope you had a good holiday,

R

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

I hear that,

We all "wait" in some capacity in life.....

Good luck, let us know !! :)

cb

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment