Question for filling out VA form after interview

So, I had an interview for an ICU position at the VA yesterday that I'm pretty interested in! HR called me this morning, which I thought was pretty quick and I was excited. They did offer me the position, but it is nights, and I was under the impression it was days. So, I need to figure out what to do and see if there is any flexibility on that.

Anyway, I received several forms to begin filling out. One is the "nursing qualification supplemental questionnaire" which is the "guidelines for appointment above entry level experienced registered nurse." I think this is part of the process to determining a salary. One section says to:

"total the years of RN experience. Deduct 3 years for appointment at Grades Nurse II and Nurse III. Multiply by 1.5 for all grades, Nurse I, Nurse II and Nurse III; this results in the total number of points for RN experience."

I think I'm confusing myself on this one. I have 10 years of RN experience, and I have my BSN. I have no idea if I will be a Grade Nurse I or II, so I don't know whether to deduct the 3 years for appointment at Nurse II?

Any help on this one for those who have already completed this section?

Also, should I try and figure out a way to get onto days, or just accept the night position and hope there will be an opening for days soon?

[pfchang]

I have not heard of the form you are asking about. That seems to me to be what THEY would use to determine where to place you on the salary scale as part of the boarding process. I would call the HR contact and ask.

Regarding days vs nights, I would ask about what the possibility is of getting days now. If the job is nights only, how impt is it for you to wok at the VA? Is it worth it to you to work nights to get into the system?

[morglan]

Yeah, I definitely will ask HR about the form and if it was sent inadvertently to me?

Anyway regarding the shifts....I would probably go ahead and take nights just to get in, but my situation may not make it possible. I'm in a MSN/FNP program as well, and I start clinicals in about six months (probably two 8-hour days a week). I think with my clinical situation I don't see how it would be possible for nights, unfortunately. I'm just going to call and hopefully plead my case for days. At this particular VA they have a couple of other positions posted for the same type of position so I think they have multiple spots open - I'm thinking they're just desperate for someone for nights.

I guess we'll see what happens! Thanks for your comments.

[morglan]

So, HR says they only have the night shift position available, and I had to turn it down. I hate that everyone wasted time in the process. It would have been VERY helpful if during the interview, the panel of three could have said, "oh by the way, this is for a night shift position." The job posting just said a "combination of 8 and 12 hour shifts." Other RN jobs posted specified nights, and this one didn't. Oh well, I guess I can look at it as a learning process.

[pfchang]

That seems like something that should have been clearly stated before the interview. I agree that it was a waste of time and for you in an MSN/FP program, too? Who has time to waste? Sorry.

[morglan]

Thanks, I agree. It was pretty frustrating...but getting over it.