2B a Nurse

I have read several posts from VA nurses asking how to write their annual proficiency. I recently read the following article posted by the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA) and felt it was worth sharing. https://www.vanurse.org/blogpost/1832707/460526/NOVA-Can-Help-You-with-Your-Proficiency-Input

Sometimes it is not a matter of panicking as it is a matter of feeling overwhelmed. Some examples from my past: As an ICU nurse caring for a patient that had died and trying to comfort the family while still grieving the recent death of my mother, as a nurse manager having to deescalate a fight between a male staff nurse and a male RT, as a med surg nurse caught in a room with a patient going into DT's. These are just a few examples where at least for me the situation required me to step away and refocus.

There will be those times when things can become overwhelming. I can think of just so many situations in my career I just had to walk away. As a bedside nurse, I always made sure my patients were covered and cared for. As a Nurse Manager, I made sure my supervisor was made aware I would be off the unit for a short period of time. As an administrator, I made sure my NMs were aware that I would be unavailable for a period of time. But I needed that 30 minutes or so to refocus.

There will be those times when things can become overwhelming. I can think of just so many situations in my career I just had to walk away. As a bedside nurse, I always made sure my patients were covered and cared for. As a Nurse Manager, I made sure my supervisor was made aware I would be off the unit for a short period of time. As an administrator, I made sure my NMs were aware that I would be unavailable for a period of time. But I needed that 30 minutes or so to refocus.

Not really a new idea but a little different than what I was familiar with. We would place the patient in Trendelenburg. This allows gravity to work with you rather than against you.

Congratulations on receiving a tentative offer for the VA. I have sent as an attachment the qualification standards for a Nurse III. The Nurse Professional Standards Board with determine the step based on your write-up. Make sure to address each of the dimensions with examples. For example, did you chair or participate on a committee that affected nursing practice? What was the result? Your certifications. EBP Conference presentations. Are you ACLS certified? Just giving you some idea of what they may be looking for. I hope it helps. Qualification Standards .docx

Just curious, on your offer letter besides the grade and step did it not also state what your annual salary would be? You stated you did not have access to your electronic paystubs for several months. Is the VA no longer sending out paper paystub biweekly?

I just wanted to share the following link with you. I feel it might address some of your questions. As a side note, most attorneys do offer a free initial consultation. What Happens When a Nurse Is Reported to the Board? | Nursing Board (chellelaw.com)

It is important to report this type of behavior or it will just continue. You had made the comment that your brother was a veteran. I first would like to thank him for his service. I agree with the other comments. Document what occurred to include names and continue following the chain of command until your and your brother's voices are heard. With your brother being a veteran did this occur in a VA hospital? I ask as a VA nurse because the way the nurses approached your brother goes against the VA's core values. I would report to the unit's Nurse Manager, Associate Chief Nurse, and or the Chief Nurse. Everyone needs an advocate. Your brother is fortunate to have you.

If applying for a nurse position with a federal agency please note that it can take from 1 up to 12 months before you hear back from their HR department. Even then once you are officially selected in can take another 60 days before you actually start your orientation process. Be patient and do not give up your present job until you have a start date.

I would like to suggest looking into nursing opportunities with the Veterans Health Administration. The VA is the largest employer of nurses in the Nation. VA nurses are at the bedside and in outpatient clinics working with the entire patient care team to deliver quality care. They are also developing patient safety initiatives, conducting research to evaluate and improve care delivery, and taking on leadership roles to help guide the next generation of nurses. As a retired VA nurse I was able to work within the VA and different states with one state license being they are a federal facility. I have also had the privilege of working with several foreign doctors and nurses . Please take a moment and explore VA nursing opportunities on the VA Careers website. Wishing you the best of luck.