MsPurple20

We are currently receiving a 45% x 8 pay period retention bonus with a 2-year commitment contract. We have to stay in an eligible position, my friends in PACT/OR/CCU are also receiving the same amount. So, save to say, any nursing position that is actually touching a patient gets this bonus. We also received a 10% retention incentive over 10 or 13 pay periods. HOWEVER, this has been very inconsistent. Many nurses are still waiting for the bonuses, signed paperwork but never received the money. The same goes for COVID hazard pay which was supposed to be a total of $8k. Nobody in my department received the full amount. Some only received half, other received none. It is crazy how slow things work in the VA.

Hello everybody, I am looking for some feedback and help on VA board actions. I was boarded at the VA in 2020 as nurse 1 step 8. At that point I had 3 years' experience, including charge and preceptor duties, specialty certification, as well as a BSN. Of course, I attempted to fight but hit a brick wall. Since then, I have obtained my MSN in leadership and received my step increase to 9 at my two-year anniversary. Performance/proficiency report by my leadership were rated at highly satisfactory, nobody in our unit ever gets outstanding. The board action stated that I would be reviewed in 2021 again. As we all know COVID delayed everything, and I have yet to hear anything about the board action from 2021. My performance reports were completed and submitted in a timely matter. New employees are boarded rather quickly as they take priority, but I cannot wrap my head around the fact that I have not received a board action since my original on boarding in 2020. I was supposed to get another board action in 2021, but no such action is loaded in my eOPF folder. When I approach my leadership team about this matter, they just blame it on the board and don't give me any assistance. I am in contact with the union now and am waiting on help from them. Does anybody have any information as far as how long it takes for the board to review proficiency reports and determine promotions? I am very appreciative on any and all insight/help you all could give me. I am getting very discouraged at this point. Thank you in advance!

Yup starting Monday too.

Hey, Just checking in with you for an update? How was your orientation? How is your experience thus far? Are they going to keep you at nurse II step 12?

Hey, Just checking in with you for an update? Did you start yet? How is your experience thus far? Are they going to keep you at nurse II step 12?

It all depends on how much has to be verified for credentialing. How many jobs have to be verified? How much education and how many certifications and licenses have to be verified? This is highly individual and not necessarily possible to compare one to the other. The HR person who did my vet pro notified me when she was done with it. This is not the same person as your HR specialist. I never heard anything when the equip was done. I just completed it and that’s that. My HR specialist did notify me when the board was done with their review of my packet. you are correct usually they want everything done and completed before your packet goes to the board. And some VAs the board does not meet every week! Keep that in mind too. I just hope that is going to move fast for you and that none of your VA employee will go on vacation... They don’t usually discuss pay rates at interviews. When you applied it gave you a range of income. You’ll fall somewhere in between that. It all depends on your experience and dimensions that you will provide once you’ve received a tentative offer.

Yeah, you probably still got several months... I felt the same way as you! But I am ready! I’m just over this wait. I got my tentative offer in April! It takes about one week to get blood and urine results from your physical. Credentialing takes the longest.

Typically I would wait 1-2 weeks after I completed a task (Such as the equip) and then reach out to my hr specialist requesting an update. I read somewhere on here to keep bugging them. It also gave me peace of mind. Just knowing it’s going forward and that my stuff if not catching dust somewhere.

Yes I have done it already! Took about 10 days until I was notified that that step is completed. I’m just practicing patience.

I’m in the same boat! April: Tentative offer May/June: vetpro, Equip, physical, blood, urine testing July: PSB reviewed my dimensions. Now I’m just waiting on my official offer and start date!

Your best bet is to ask your hr specialist. That’s the person that’s either in phone or email contact with you. You could also ask the nurse recruiter at the particular facility. Do you know if your packet went to the VA nursing board yet? Have you had physical/urine/Vetpro/eqip yet? I completed my physical/urine drug/finger prints/Vetpro/eqip all over 4 weeks ago and was told that the VA nursing board would review my packet last Thursday. I am waiting on a salary offer and start date .... it’s been a long process, but I’m sure it will be worth it. Fingers crossed for you!

I agree the process can vary between the different VAs. Have you heard anything new? I have done everything there was to be done, just waiting on my firm offer and salary for a permanent position.

And did you hear anything yet? I am also waiting, finished physical/urine/blood last week. Fingerprinting, Vetpro, and equip completed last month. I was told by HR that they have all of my reference checks completed and are in the process of verifying my employment and education hx. As of now, my application has not been to the board yet...

It all depends on how bad your particular VA needs you. There is no one answer that fits all to this, unfortunately... It also depends on if you are hired for an expedited position or not. I did my fingerprints last week and was sent the link for EQIP this week. I completed it the very next day. Now with the federal holiday coming up next week, I don't really expect to hear anything until in two weeks. My physical is scheduled for mid-June. I am hoping that by that time fingerprints and EQIP have resulted and I get a fast start date. It seems like you are moving fast if you interviewed in April! I interviewed in January, just to give you some perspective. What is your location or VA you have applied to? Maybe someone on here can give more detail about that particular VA.

WOW!! That is great, congratulations! Do you mind sharing how much experience you have as an NP?

I'm so sorry that happened to you! Sounds like it was a temporary position and the need for the facility changed. Hopefully, you will hear soon about the permanent position. Have you tried getting in touch with the facility's nurse recruiter yet??

It could go either way! Temporary positions are essentially need-based, if the need is no longer there, they don't need you anymore. They certainly don't have any obligations. They can let you go from one day to the next as a temporary hire. Sure they can convert you to permanent at any point during the process if they wish and if there is funding available, which hiring freezes can occur... As a permanent hire, you are much more secure. If there is low census for weeks or months, that is just what it is! Your job and hours are guaranteed, there is no going home d/t low census... Your job is also based on YOUR performance vs with a temporary position your job is based on external and internal performance... if that makes any sense! My question to you is, did you apply and interview for a temporary position??? Or did you apply for a permanent position and they are offering you a temporary one?? I worked with a nurse in the government sector before. I was permanent and she was temporary. Management had PROMISED her a permanent position at the end of her one-year temporary hire. She saw an HR person during her lunch one day and asked about the process for her to convert to permanent and HR flat out told her there were no such plans. Management was stalling her and she never got a permanent position. I was offered a temporary position and turned it down. It is just too risky for me personally. But to each their own! If I had chosen the temporary position, I would have lost $3,000 in PTO. I have been with my current job for less than one year, so they will not pay out my PTO... And with the current COVID crisis I can not take my PTO! Additionally, I would have to pay back about $2,000 of my prorated sign-on bonus. So all together $5,000 loss for a temporary position? AND then they can let me go at any given time?? NOPE! Now, I am in the process of onboarding for a permanent position.

Seems like you were boarded prior to the VA starting the whole covid expedited hiring deal... either way it sounds like a great place to work! Hope you have a great start!

Have you started yet? Did they offer you a temporary position that will turn into a permanent one after the board has determined your final grade/step or after one year?

URGENT! Hey guys, for those of you that were offered an "expedited hiring" d/t COVID, did you guys get a TEMPORARY position that will turn into a PERMANENT position after one year? Or did you get a permanent position from the getgo? Thanks!

How did your resignation go over? When is you start date? I’ve called HR but they don’t ever pick up... manager told me I should hear something “shortly” from HR with firm offer and start date...

Preetbrar217, how much experience do you have? any certifications? I am just curious because two people on this board have been boarded on as nurse II step 12. Which is REALLY nice. I am hoping for the same. I am still waiting on my offer but was told due to COVID I would receive the maximum possible grade and step. Once COVID is "over" and the situation here has improved, they would re-evaluate my step and adjust. Is that the same ya'll were told??

Hey! If you are selected for an interview, they will call you. However, it varies from VA to VA how long that wait or your wait in general will be. DON’T QUIT YOUR JOB! Some folks wrote that they were called within one week, for others it took months. In the meantime, you can write your dimensions!! Search for it here on the forum and get an understanding of what is expected. I googled and found a great template. Good luck to you!

Hey, I used Solheim's pocket pearls and I also attended a 2-day review course. Another great resource was the CEN review manual. It comes with practice tests including rational. Which is over 1,000 practice questions and 2 online tests. I did all of them. I did them during down-time, on my days off, whenever I had a chance! Good luck to you!