pennprincess

Hello, I don’t jump on here often, but will ask to see if once a nurse is commissioned the hiring process is that slow to transfer to IHS. But yes, the government hiring process for both USPHS and some of the agencies can be slow. The IHS agency has contracting nurse positions as well.

Hello- they will be having a few nurses answer questions via a facebook Live Chat this evening from 7-8pm EST if anyone is interested. I have been with USPHS Commissioned Corps for 7 years now. The page is US Public Health Service nurses: https://m.facebook.com/PHSNursing To original poster: I believe they only accept new appointments for those with <8years of prior service. Or only count the first 8, but think it’s the first part. However, those commissioned with prior service get 30 days to pick retirement path: old versus current. For those without prior service current is similar to a 401k with eligible matching after a few years and 40% pension at 20 years.

Hello- they will be having a few nurses answer questions via a facebook Live Chat this evening from 7-8pm EST if anyone is interested. I have been with USPHS Commissioned Corps for 7 years now. The page is US Public Health Service nurses: https://m.facebook.com/PHSNursing

Interview - not bad. It was a phone interview. Keshia - I don't have to "rotate tours", but a lot of it is facility specific.. so if you called FDC Houston and they told you that they I would go with what they say.

Got my orders today! Will start in December 2014! so excited to begin! :)

Ok, so **Important for future applicants*** - because my application process was backwards, with the interview being last, it has delayed my application process and CAD date. After you get professionally boarded, which is your interview should you be required to get one, does your name go from the Department of Health and Human Services to the president for presidential nomination. As this takes 3-4 months, I am now behind that far. However, as my interview was in July - I am hoping (but following up on) that they automatically forward names once you've been professionally boarded. So after reviewing my application process I would say make sure you get professionally boarded first so that while you're getting medically and background checks completed this can be in motion to streamline things. ... and to look back at June of 2013 and say I was getting impatient then! This is one LONGGG process.

And my second to final update.... Called to see how my background check was going, and I needed to submit a second set of fingerprints. Did this, waited another 2 weeks and called for an update, and was emailed with a response stating I still needed to interview, which they scheduled for last friday. I interviewed, and got a response today that they are recommending me! So now, all I'm waiting for, since I have everything, is a CAD start date! woohoo!

Update! With the Memorial Day Weekend I got behind on the security log in issues I had. Anyways, this week they reset my username and I submitted my background check today! Hopefully my next communcation will be my CAD notification! :)

Psychguy: I know one guy who works with the FDA. Likes it better than BOP, and is an inspector. Know he travels to site and investigates things. I don't know much else. NP Suelo: I mostly treat acute problems at my institution, but it may vary based on institution. My caseload is approximately 300 inmates, but I do daily sick call and can see anywhere from 5-75 inmates a day based on need. It may take a few minutes to talk to inmates, but then to go back and chart takes the rest of the day. I do not have a set appointment time/day. Once again though, this is institution based. I know our sister institution that does have inmates report to health services for appointments can average 1-4 inmates an hour. You would have to get in touch with your nearest facility if you are interested and see how they run things. PS: Got notification to start my background check. Still hoping for June! *wishful thinking* :)

NP Suelo, I have not yet but am excited to be official! Working in the BOP as a USPHS officer will be no different for me than now, as I am a civilian employee in the BOP, and I dont anticipate any real change in the actual job. My hours are 6-2p monday-friday, and I do feel safe where I'm at. Just need to stay on high-alert, and the BOP teaches you "situational awareness". :)

Either or, for instance I got a job with BOP knowing I wanted to get into USPHS, and they are converting my position. There are other people I know that have applied to PHS and do not have a job yet. You don't get assigned though, its up to you to find a position within one of the agencies. So if you find something go for it, but if they open up to psych NP's apply because it does take a long time.

Application update: Got a voicemail earlier this week stating that my PHS 1662 (memo stating my BOP position is cleared to be converted by my warden) was received. Thats it. Got a call yesterday from the Call to Duty team stating I am good to go to fill out the medical/dental forms, and he asked for my mailing address to get fingerprinted, and to initiate a background check. States even if I got these done immediately, they anticipate getting commissioned at the earliest June. I heard it takes ~4 months for presidential appointment so it may even be longer than this. Moral of this story is - if you already have a job you should process your PHS 1662 form stating your position is convertible from GS to PHS, and they process your application quicker. This may be why I didn't need to interview? Who knows, maybe I'll get a call next week stating I still need to interview, but hopefully not since I'm at the next stage. I knew I needed a memo, but generated a generic one with my application. Did not know there was a specific memo for this. If I had known I may be ahead of this game! I would love to be part of the recruitment team someday after learning all this... may be a calling for me. Will keep everyone updated. :) There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Hey, So it has been a long year! Still in the application process. My coworker who is a PA applied a month after me and passed her professional board interview so now she needs a physical/dental/background check and she should be good to go! I haven't heard anything however, heard they are doing nurse interviews this week but only have 20% of applications processed. Still working at my institution. Lots of mobility available if you want it. Good group of people that I work with. we are almost fully staffed which helps. Varies by institution. I'm gonna keep on truckin'!

Hey Jason, I am also applying to PHS, currently working at the BOP. My job will be the same, work schedule the same, and I'd be treated the same unless I abuse my time off (which I wouldn't). Once you're in (BOP), everyone recommends switching into PHS so far. I have heard from current officers that originally you have to stay 2 years, but my husband's cousin has been at her position for 7-8 and she doesn't plan on moving (dental hygienist). I am also hearing that it is becoming more competitive to get commissioned. so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

sooo I took the position and the pay cut in PA, and am at a GS 11 step 1 (63k). Looking back I should have held out until they offered me my matching pay (76k) which would have been a step 7-8, but you don't know these things at the time. as a result, I am giving advice to the next recruit who is coming in so she doesn't have the same resentment that I do, as she is currently getting paid a step 9-10 salary in the private sector. however am currently applying to the public health service. If not, am planning on going into management to move up in the world - or will exit the BOP for a year and come back to get my GS 11 step 10. I am ok with the cost of living raises because they are equivalent to outside raises it seems and are not offered every year in the private sector in this area. I am currently waiting to get professionally/medically boarded and commissioned - then I should be happier!

Update... so I'm currently in the boarding application process. Submitted my paper application and was received by headquarters 11/1/2013 by USPS tracker. Heard it took ~3 weeks for the data entry team to enter my data, and I did hear from the CAD team stating my data was entered and with the CAD team - under review. That was a month ago. Is there anyone else under going the application process at this time? Would like to hear how your process is going... :)

The pay for me was a big cut. However, my co-worker who started at the same time as me was able to negotiate to a similar pay to what they pay for primary care in the community. However, there is not a lot of room for him to go upwards. I was unable to negotiate due to the sequestration status, however, as a NP new to the BOP, I am trying to convert into PHS, where the pay is significantly higher than what the community pays, and is justifiable to work there. So just waiting to get accepted into the program... now if I don't - I'm really not sure what I'll do. :/ Either go into administration, or leave and come back when I can negotiate my salary for it to be comparable. I am hoping I don't have to cross that bridge. Still liking it too, by the way - but I hear this all depends on the institution you're at. :)

Just announced yesterday on their facebook page they are opening up to nurse practitioners starting October 1st. One week countdown! I hope after all this waiting they have streamlined the process, but yes... I heard to be very patient.

I recently started a job with the BOP and so far I like it. Its a different environment. Its security first, so may be a little slower paced depending on where you work. The lower the security the more it is like a family practice clinic. The higher the security the slower it may be with primary care clinic things, but then you add it urgent care for trauma related to altercations. I've only been there 2 months though - so things may change 6 months from now.

Hi guys, I am going crazy waiting for this hiring freeze to end. Originally they said June of 2013, and now they are thinking fall? In the meantime - I took a position with the BOP as a CRNP (a job I like so far!) so that once things open up it should not take as long, but I have been waiting for months! My husband and I would like to start a family soon, and I feel like PHS will open up as soon as I got pregnant. Does anyone also know what a nurse practitioner would come in as? o-3 or o-4? I have 6 years experience as a nurse, but 2 as a nurse practitioner. Does anyone know how long it can take to get commissioned if you have a position? Does anyone have any ideas about when they are re-opening? I'm sure I'm not the only one going crazy and getting impatient. Thanks!

I have been a nurse practitioner for a year now. Have always wanted to be one since high school, and now that I'm working in a family practice - I probably wish I would have went to pharmacy or dental school. I was accepted into CRNA school - kind of wishing I would have went with it, but didn't think I could handle the professional stress at that time, so backed out. Currently looking to get into a federal position and get into the public health service - my goal is to retire now! :)

I am having a hard time finding out what the pay is for federal corrections. Applied and waiting to hear for an interview - although they expect me to get the job as I'm the only applicant. I have heard once I accept an offer, it is non-negotiable, and that I should research what others make so I dont get upset. I have been working as an NP now for a year. They did say they would beat my current salary as long as I bring in a paystub, however I did not get a raise due to the hospital system not giving raises after the first year (it turns out my one year raise will be in october, where I will have been here almost 2!). Just wondering if there are other NP's that are in federal corrections and what they bring in.Thanks!

Hello, I will be a new grad NP as of today! I take my last final in 3 hours. Of course I should be studying... but my husband found out two days ago that his company wants to hire me as soon as I get my credentialing and license to do the company's pre-employment physicals and bi-annual physicals for current employees. I am excited to do this! I just don't know what all this will entail. i will be talking to my instructor/mentor who is in occupational health. She originally said she'll see people and charge them $50 a physical and give the doctor a $10 kickback as part of their collaborative agreement. With people getting new jobs, they might not have insurance and I may need to be prescribing meds/referring them to a PCP. I was thinking though, if I just refer them to a family practice, and decide not to prescribe if abnormals occur during my physical, would I then even need a collaboring physician? (how often would I find abnormals on these employees? - it might be more efficient to just do physicals and then if I need to refer to a PCP) If so... what are pennsylvania np's charging if they are? or are they just using the incentive of getting more patients to help me out. I have potential to go to the other brances in lancaster and bucks county like once a month to do this. Anna

Hello, I am a nurse practitioner student with a year left to go, and I am looking at my future outlook. My husband's cousin works as a dental hygienist with the federal BOP, and she works as a health services officer though USPHS. From her, I have heard of this opportunity. I have two prisons near me that have positions open, but I do not know if that is where I want to go. I am also located near a health professional shortage area designated by the department of health and human services (in central Pennsylvania). I am looking at applying with clinics in my community for a position as a family NP, and then trying to get the clinic approved so that I can work through both usphs and receive the nhsc loan repayment award. I saw on the USPHS site that nurses can get up to a 25k bonus, but is it possible for me to get both the bonus and the loan repayment award? Has anyone else had a clinic apply for site approval? How long and how hard was this to do? Does anyone know the updates also on USPHS hiring? Thanks!

Hey, If a hospital raises its starting salary after they hire you, can you ask for them to give you that raise, or will they automatically give you the extra money? I'm going to start working in September, but I have a feeling they are going to raise their base salary soon, and I want to be able to get that increase too. Any info would be helpful.