punkhardcoreRN

Today was my first day and we took the oath as federal employees- my schedule is going to be rotating, but I am assigned primarily to days and my orientation is 6 weeks long (due to not being considered a new-new grad), and the benefits was the most confusing part of today. Too many pamphlets and choices! But my base salary as a 0.8 is AWESOME compared to what I made FT aka 1.0 at the previous employer- even the HR lady who handed me the forms I signed acknowledging my incentive/bonus said "I should have gone into nursing like you!"....not bad for a younger guy who got his ADN via GI BILL. Its awesome not having any debt or student loans going into this all!

I start on Monday!

Took Kaplan, passed with 80 questions first time. I thought Kaplan was wayyyyy better than our crappy ATI tests at school. Dont know much about Saunders.

I was pleasantly suprised myself after accepting position last Tuesday they wanted me to start orientation next week. She pretty much stated exactly what 79Tango said, that I could work while Vetpro, etc. was being completed. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

I can't wait to get back in with the gov't. I was honorably discharged in 2010 from UASF after 6 years, but was hoping to maybe take a comission as a ANG flight RN while working w/ VA system. That is, of course if my girlfriend/fiancee/wife is cool with my plans to be mobile!

Thanks, I was referring to going to an out-of-state facility. I know one must interview for position but I guess I was referring to how long you have to wait before you can apply elsewhere- not that I am going to jump ship right away after being given an expedited hire. I definitely think my experiences will be good at where I am, but am hopfully planning to transition into an ICU (my floor is a tele step-down), plus my girlfriend is from out of state.

Congrats! But I gotta say, that $500 Kaplan course is a major reason why I passed my first time with only 80 questions- it totally reframed my idea of test-taking and strategy over content. Highly recommended!

I had a friend with 2 DUIs and not only was he granted an unrestricted license in a Compact state, he also serves as an RN in the national guard (his application had to be approved by the commander of the base w/ waivers but still). It's important to provide documentation indicating you have learned from your past mistakes (letters of reference, assessments, etc.) but I dont believe you should have trouble. Good Luck!

"From the previous posts I've read the VA hiring process is pretty long and drawn out. I've applied to two different VA sites. The VA an hour away from my home I can always get in contact with a nurse recruiter and my application status for two posting says "referred to selecting official." The VA closest to my home, I can't get through to the recruiter, she emailed me back once and the status of all the apps just says "application received." I do know a nurse practitioner that works at this VA site and she tried to give my resume to the recruiter, but I had to apply online. For those of you that are familiar with the hiring process, any idea what the next step is. In all there are around 20 RN vacancies. The two systems have two completely different online application submissions, how will I know if I've completed the application process correctly, its a little confusing I've been applying since I've graduated and earlier this year I found out that I was applying the wrong way so those positions don't count. These positions closed in September." This varies according to the candidate and what the facility. Total time from submitting my application, getting interview, receiving offer of position, physical, vetpro, etc.? About 45-50 days. I had never applied for a VA position so I forgot to send/fax in my application w/ signed ink so this may have slowed things up. Plus I found out if the nurse recruiter is interested in YOU as a candidate, they will allow for documents to be sent in AFTER the close date. No, I do not have a mom/dad/sister/bro who works at VA or know anyone, I just connected really well with the Recruiter and my manager. Good Luck!

Hey everyone, so I guess the planets must have been aligned because after applying to my first VA position I was called back, interviewed and hired with 45 days! Just completed the Vetpro, physical, etc. and I'm starting orientation next week :). After graduation I had worked 8 months exp in a teaching hospital and have my ADN so I can't wait to start working with my fellow vets (I was former USAF for 6 years) and on my BSN. Does anyone know at all how long one must wait before being able to transfer throughout the VA system and what the experiences are? Thanks!

Congrats! I too am a new hire in the VA system and can't wait to start! I applied only once in November 2011 and got a call in January for interview and was offered a position last week (with 8 months experience at a teaching hospital). Does anyone know what the timeline is before transferring throughout the VA system to other hospitals?