Still seeking advice ...

[malaikaRN]

My post from yesterday about the va hasn't gotten any bites. For anyone that has been through the VA hiring process, did you ever contact the hiring location or did you go strictly through the hiring agency? I don't know if contacting the clinic or hospital with the open position would make any sense when the recruiter has all the applicants info. But.. As I've seem on multiple threads and other blogs- the process is slow. The recruiter seems especially annoyed and displeased with any calls about a job, her answers are vague and the only hurry she's in is to get off the phone. I yearn for the position so badly I can taste it-- but I don't want to ruin my chances if getting it by coming off as desperate. Any advice would be appreciated.

[TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN]

I haven't worked for the VA but I have at the hospitals on base where hubby was stationed. If you are being hired through an agency (contracted company) that is the ONLY people you contact with questions about the position. It can take up to 90 days for all you background checks and hiring package to be completed to start. It is a very long process indeed!

[TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN]

You are paid by the company and not the VA. She should have explained all that to you. Sorry you are having a rough time with her. The agencies I worked with were fantastic. I was given a timeline as to when things would be complete as I moved through all the phases.

[malaikaRN]

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm new to the government job process-- i guess that's why I find it odd to have everything so separate. In the private sector you apply for a job and go through hr but it's all within the same organization. The government/VA has two completely separate entities for this it seems. The recruiter has only told me that she hasn't had time to look at the applications but that the position needs to be filled quickly as possible (??). I've read about some very negative experiences about getting a job at the va, sometimes taking as long as 6 months to get in (if at all) as the va tends to hire internally more often that not. --sigh-- frustrating.