katydidit1964

I happen to agree with Nurse Beth - find a job - any job- quickly as the longer you are out of the field the harder it will be to find employment. LTC facilities are usually always in need. And you might find that you love it! Everybody has a niche and you haven't had the chance to discover yours yet...

If your still in the determination process ask your HR contact or the nurse manager of the unit/Dept..if already hired then can go online to SharePoint.. HR and proceed from there

A nurse 1 will receive within grade raise yearly until some point in the N1 grade 3 level. Nurse 2 is every 2 years . Can ask for reconsideration at that time. I believe N3 is every 2 yrs as well but not certain. Proficiency is due yearly regardless of pay status.

Copied from another poster: The main thing for nurse 3 is to have a different example for each domain and everything must include: the problem, intervention, outcome, sustainability. All of these must be at the program ororganizational level. It must be outside of your unit. I think you are new to the VA so be sure to ask for the N3 clinical pathway example that is relavent to the position you have selected.

Sorry I am still working on obtaining my NIII... But if the God's prevail and I'm blessed to write well enough.. I will definitely share....

I went to a proficiency training today. They stressed to utilize the Nurse 3 guidelines and use the language that is provided when answering how you met the goal. Also to make sure you wrap the section up with how it benefitted the organization/facility. Along with data or % of change/improvement. I submit again next year and we will see if it helps. I'm involved in everything from policy updates, nursing note creation to nurses week. I'm exhausted ?

I also went thru the ringer trying to figure out the best fit for me. With your love of having a connection with your patients you might want to try psych. Right now most of my patients have drug additions as a way of self treatment in addition to having that 'high'. So that makes it more difficult. However those that are severly mentally ill deserve all the services we can provide to help them be functioning members of society.

I finished my MSN ML at WGU whose format was perfect.last year. ML teaches soft skills as well as introduces you to business concepts. This year I will complete the MBA HA which offers a more financial approach. Since I have completed my MSN I will have less classes to complete so hopefully can be done in 1 semester.

Not to be redundant and repeat everyone.. however I worked in a facility that required the DON to round with the supervisors quarterly to review their meetings and documentation on their quarterly rounding with the employees. At first it was interesting..then it became annoying as I felt each time like I was being called the the principles office. It wasn't until after I let her know how I felt that she explained the reasoning. After that it was a good time to catch up and discuss situations that maybe didn't go as well as I'd have liked. I really miss that aspect...

Depends on the need of the facility and the timeliness of your responses. We recently had new hires that took 6 weeks from interview to start date. But that is not the norm. Our applicants were very motivated, and our facility was motivated as well. The longest aspect was boarding process as that took 3 weeks in itself.

I observed a boad hearing recently. The most important thing I saw was to obtain the checkoff sheet they use when evaulating your proficiency. Use the most important words in each sentece followed by how you determined the change, the rrasearch or background of the change overview of steps that implemented change followed by data showing what outcome. Use same information slightly changed to show sustainability. How a unit manager can reach 3 for program or facility change seems almost impossible to me at this time. I have been involved with medication policy change throughout the facility, assisted with education of said change. Have data showing outcome but no dice. I also was involved in opening a new unit for specific gender treament modalities (not my unit) and have data showing useage outcome in terms of $$$ still no go. I am in this same boat . Unit change and outcome is easy...

I like others agree that the commute would be awful, and what an awesome advantage if u decided to up your credentials í ½í¸€ On a side note... Do they have openings? Sounds fabulous!

I don't believe the OP is targeting management just employment opportunities that require less bedside care. Those type jobs include positions with insurance companies, case management, utilization review, QM, chart review, possibly even drug reps. That is not saying that many of these jobs don't require experience as they do. But if that's your goal know that at the start of your career and work towards that goal.

That would be a huge blessing!

I did a search for WGU found 2 groups and joined both. Mostly utilzed the group that had the most members. They were so helpful! Yes it was difficult I set my goal at 1 yr. Divided up my classes to see how many every month and pushed on... assessments are alot of writing, revisions are expected so I submitted started the next one while waiting for the submitted one (when I had energy to do that lol)

I graduated last july and was thrilled with the program layout. I loved working at my own pace and was able to complete the program within a year. Lots of help available on FB when u get stuck. I did apply for and receive their scholarship/hardship $ fairly easy to apply. Wasn't much but every little thing help.

What VA are you with? We are getting ready to offer this to our staff and I would love to get in touch with them to see what their presentation is. Our unit employees have a difficult time since material is directed at acute care examples vs psych. I am also having a difficult time with this. Submitted mine last Feb was returned in June and have resubmitted with additional information. Their review said the only thing I met was education. Sigh Am trying for Nurse 3

Hello,. I have been with the VA for alittle over a year and I still LOVE it! I believe the workload is distributed better and more manageable than private facilities. So much more so that I am consistently able to ensure my charting is done at least 30min prior to end of shift so leave on time daily!

Thank you for posting. I just received notice of deniel for reconsideration will try to follow this and see if it makes any difference. If you have time it would be fantastic to receive further assistance. [email protected]

There are also 'no lift' facilities out there to work in. One of those being the VA. Hard to get in but worth the struggle.

The biggest advise I can give you to start a notebook where you carry schedules, due dates for essential training of your employees, hire dates, list of floors able to float to. And then Phone numbers with names from housekeeping to executives! Also use this a a way to track projects, conversations etc this allows you to research prior information/situations easily (ie dates due to quick notes) this will be invaluable as you learn and progress in your position. BTW have you started yet? What facility? Inquiring minds and all lol

I have to agree with the first response. Go above and beyond required in order to find your path. Sometimes the path is interesting so money doesn't factor as high. ( Keep in mind more responsibility should equal at least alittle$)

Just keep in mind that you can resubmit to the board if you feel the offer is not high enough. Also talking with nurse manager and he once offer is made will help understand the boarding process

Moving from one VA to another is easier as you are considered an internal candidate however you still have to go through the hiring process.