VA Hiring Process During COVID

[Toya2xcel, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone! Would love to get any advice that I can. I applied for a clinic RN position at the VA and so far the timeline has been as follows:

Applied 07/19/2020

Position closed 7/31/2020

Referred 08/07/2020

Contacted to schedule interview on 08/14/2020

Interview scheduled for 08/17/2020

My questions are: what effect has COVID had on the VAs hiring process? Are things moving faster or slower because of the pandemic? Any interview tips for me? I plan to take a copy of my resume and references to the interview in hopes that it goes well!

[loudwheels, ADN, BSN]

From my interview to my start date was barely over a month. Granted, I got everything done almost immediately after they sent it to me. From the tentative offer to the board meeting for me was less than two weeks. Only thing that took forever was getting the interview. I originally applied end of March, interviewed 7/29. Start on 9/2 as a critical care float RN.

[Toya2xcel, BSN, RN]

9 minutes ago, loudwheels said:

From my interview to my start date was barely over a month. Granted, I got everything done almost immediately after they sent it to me. From the tentative offer to the board meeting for me was less than two weeks. Only thing that took forever was getting the interview. I originally applied end of March, interviewed 7/29. Start on 9/2 as a critical care float RN.

CONGRATS on your new job! How long was it from your interview until your tentative offer? The hiring manager called me two days after my interview and asked for references. So my fingers are crossed that’s a good sign!

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

It's still slow. Every VA is different though. Some have fast hiring timelines while others have slow.

[Toya2xcel, BSN, RN]

28 minutes ago, OUxPhys said:

It's still slow. Every VA is different though. Some have fast hiring timelines while others have slow.

OK thanks! When the hiring manager called me to clarify some things I mentioned in the interview she said “okay things will start to move fast” but because I’ve never worked for or applied to the VA before I have no idea what that means in terms of time frame. LOL

[loudwheels, ADN, BSN]

8 hours ago, Toya2xcel said:

CONGRATS on your new job! How long was it from your interview until your tentative offer? The hiring manager called me two days after my interview and asked for references. So my fingers are crossed that’s a good sign!

Thank you! I’m excited but very nervous at the same time! Between the interview and the tentative offer was one week for me. But during the interview they asked for my references to call them.

[Toya2xcel, BSN, RN]

I actually got my tentative offer on 9/11! 

[DEADPOOH, RN]

Hi Toya2xcel and Loudwheeels,

I've applied for a VA RN position. Just beginning to study some performance questions. Do either of you recall about how many questions they asked you?
I really want this position. I'm a veteran myself. Just nervous and worried about answering the questions well..
Thank you

[Toya2xcel, BSN, RN]

I had a panel interview with the nurse manager and 2 nurses from the clinic. I was asked 10 pre-determined questions that were on a sheet of paper by the nurse manager, and they all recorded my responses . My questions were very specific to the position I applied for...each question had like 3 parts to it, so make sure your answer addresses each part of the question. Because I applied for a clinic position, I remember one of my questions was “what if after assessing a patient in the clinic the doctor tells you the patient needs to be transferred to the emergency dept, what would you do? and explain each step.” Good luck on your interview! 

[DEADPOOH, RN]

Oh OK. The position I applied for is an ambulatory/clinic type position I believe. I have 1 yr of peds OR experience and 1 yr of home care exp. - not sure how helpful that'll be.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the hiring process, much appreciated!

[Toya2xcel, BSN, RN]

I’d imagine the OR experience would def help! 

[Toya2xcel, BSN, RN]

Updating for those following:

Vetpro completed 9/23 and approved on 10/13 

Physical, blood work, fingerprints and drug test completed 10/20

Still waiting for next steps....