jovigirlrn

Thanks much for the info. I did see see the PBI website, need to read more of it. Thanks!!

Very interesting and informative, appreciate your time in explaining all of this. I still think VA is a good choice even if the retirement isn't the best. The TSP 401k or personal retirement accounts can help with that. And guaranteed no lay off for low patient census is unheard of! I am also considering a new grad VA position since I never got the chance to work acute care inpatient and get that experience. It will put me at lower pay than the other position I already applied for and got the "you are qualified and referred to the hiring agency," letter, but should be worth it in the long run. The no acute care experience issue has eliminated me from so many private sector jobs, even jobs with the same duties that I am already performing, even with OCN and chemo cert. It is holding me back from opportunities so I think I should apply for it as well. Hopefully they won't eliminate me like private sector has been doing. They say I am not eligible for a new grad program/position because I have been a nurse for over four years, but that is what I need! Been away from school for too long with focus on hem/onc - have forgotten some of that hospital acute care stuff due to lack of use. (this may be off topic, sorry) Now to wait and find out if I passed the Talent Plus online assessment...or this could all be moot. Feedback welcomed & thanks !

Thank you all for taking the time to explain this - very helpful ! Is any of this information published on a state basis? When I worked for UCLA, you could go to their website and plug in the job series and it would tell you what the pay is for each step. Does VA have anything like this and if so, does anyone know where to find it? Hard to make informed decisions without the data. Am interested in seeing what Florida's pay is. I so want to leave California - done with it and wasting my life in traffic. Happy New Year to all !

Now I'm really confused ! I just saw something about someone being Grade 1, level 3, step 7, or something to that effect. WHAT IS LEVEL? Never heard of that....OMG, so so complicated....

I see most of the VA nurse jobs being posted as 0610-00. What is grade 00 - ADN with no experience? 01 = ADN, 02 = BSN, 03 = MSN, thanks for that info; now it makes more sense. That is the first pay critieria, then the step they put you in next part of the equation, like you said, 10-14 steps, correct? I saw a handbook about grading but not about steps. I'm trying to find what the criteria is that is used to figure out what step they place you in. I worked for state government mostof my life and they have a step system for pay also. It was based on years of RN experience and years with the department. You seem to be quite knowledgable on this stuff and I appreciate your help! I am an ADN, Board Certified OCN and Chemotherapy certified, 4+ years outpatient experience, where 90% of oncology treatment is actually done (the position I applied for is also outpatient clinic). Do you have any idea where I could find the "step" placement criteria for the VA or where to start looking for it? Have read about the possibility of having to negotiate your salary as they tend to place you in the lowest step they can unless you can articulate your experience well and produce pay stubs, etc. to substantiate your case....I want to be ready when it's time. Then I see the locality issue - looks like it has a percentage assigned to it. How in the heck is that figured out? Is there a base pay for 0610, then the grade, then the step you qualify for, then the locality percentage is calculated in? Where does one find the data to figure it out? As someone said, they put this wide range of salary on the job bulletin, but how do you know or determine if the offer you are getting is appropriate? I understand the concept, but this federal thing with the locality pay is different. Sifting through all this Fed and OPM stuff is like finding a needle in the haystack. Can you steer me in the right direction to find it? Thank you so much for you assistance! I am already more informed thanks to you!

I am being considered for a position series/grade 0610/01. What does this mean vs the grade 00? Of course I've spent hours trying to find it myself and can't find anything about it. Would love to have a ballpark idea of what to expect in the pay scale for this. Thanks for your help.

Ok, I have a question for you all. I am reading bits and pieces about having to submit your "Dimensions" to Professional Standard. I know about the 4 Dimensions with 9 career paths from the handbook. I am not getting the big picture of exactly you are doing and submitting. Is this some written statement that you have to write addressing these things and have to submit for review? Can someone please clue me in on this? I just got the "you are qualified for the position and have been referred to the hiring agency." If I need to prepare this "Dimensions" document, tell me what it is and what I need to do to accomplish it. And thanks for the PBI website info- looks good. Thanks in advance for our help! Judy RN OCN

Well, let me tell you....I've been a RN for over 4 years and never got the "acute care" inpatient hospital floor experience because I couldn't get hired anywhere when I graduated. The economy crashed in 2008 and hospitals were (and some still are) only hiring nurses with hospital experience. I went into oncology nursing in the outpatient/physican practice - had to pay my bills somehow. Actually like it a lot, got ONS chemo certified and got my OCN, so I get to put extra letters after my name now. HOWEVER, because I don't have that "acute care" experience, I cannot get a job to save my life. Board certified and chemo certified with 4 years of experience and I can't get a full-time job. It's killing me. I don't have an answer for you; the job market for nurses is horrible, I don't care what they say. I have to laugh when people tell me, "you should have no problem getting a job as a nurse." Either you don't have the BSN or you don't have the acute experience. I give up. You are lucky to have that experience. It will get keep you eligible for jobs, jobs I can't get. Again, sorry I don't have an answer for you, but had to throw in my 2 cents.

I took the OCN exam on 11/29/11 and I passed! I was shocked. I thought for sure I would fail, and this was the first time I took it. The ONS Prep course did help me a lot. It directs you on what to study for, IMO.

How quickly people forget 9/11 which was right in everyone's back yard.... But when their freedoms are threatened, it's a different story.

Ok, thanks. The job listing said they had 5 openings. I am hoping that means they need someone soon! j

ok, I'll have to ask for a copy of it when I interview, which I hope to be sometime soon. Sending in the rest of my documents tomorrow. Anyone know how long it takes after the end of the application filing deadline that they contact you?

Nice! Thanks, j

Thanks donquack, it's the closest thing I've seen so far and it does give me a clue. I need to know about the Las Vegas area and the Long Beach California Area. Many thanks! j

OCNRN63, Thanks for the info. Nice to know right away if you passed or not and where you didn't do so well. Can't learn if you don't know what is wrong. Thanks! j