VA Hiring Process

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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.

Thanks in advance ?

Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.

I didn't have to do that type of ROI either. The only ROI I had was a single sheet of paper which was simply a "Release of Information" form that gave the VA permission to contact my references.

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I didn't complete an ROI either--nor give any signed permission to contact my references other than my signature on VetPro....

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Hi Everyone!

Here's is what the email said:

You are being considered for a Registered Nurse position at the VAMC. This does not mean that I am offering the position to you but things look favorable that our Human Resource Department could offer you a position once all steps are completed.

HR will contact you in the next week to discuss with you the process for hiring.

One of the items that we need is a REPORT IF INTERVIEW (ROI). This is a document that you will complete and return to me as soon as you can, or if you would like, we can schedule a time to complete in my office. The ROI is a tool that is used to help set your salary so please answer all questions thoroughly. To assist you in completing this form, I have also included a completed sample of a similar document that you can use for reference (Experienced example Report of interview) and does not need to be returned.

In addition to the ROI, please supply us with your most recent evaluation, it can positively affect your salary.

Please review the "Tool for Prospective RN hires". After reviewing, please make sure that your experiences are reflected in your resume or you provide documentation to support your experiences, such as a copy of your certifications.

Then the ROI itself:

REPORT OF INTERVIEW

RN

1. NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________

2. ADDRESS: __________________________________ PHONE: (H) ____________

(B) ____________

3. SS# __________________________ LICENSE: ____________________

4. EDUCATION: ______________________________________________________

5. YEARS RN EXPERIENCE: ____________________________________________

6. WORK HISTORY:

DATES: EMPLOYER/POSITION/REASON FOR LEAVING:

a.

b.

c.

d.

Qualification Standards

Practice Dimension

Criteria: Practice, Ethics and Resource Utilization

1. Practice

A. Describe the patient populations that you have cared for:

B. Describe how you have developed care plans utilizing the nursing process:

C. How have you guided/directed other members of your care team?

2. Ethics

A. Describe a time in which you had to identify and resolve an ethical issue in your practice:

B. How do you support/enhance client self determination?

C. How do you safeguard privacy and confidentiality?

D. Describe a time when you acted as a patient advocate:

3. Resource Utilization

A. How have you assisted clients in identifying and securing needed/appropriate resources?

B. Describe how you delegate care in a safe, efficient and cost effective manner:

Professional Development Dimension

Criteria: Education and Career Development, Performance

1. Education and Career Development

A. What do you do to assure your knowledge and skills are appropriate for your practice setting?

2. Performance

A. Describe any self assessment or identification of your own learning needs that you have undertaken:

B. How have you participated in the performance evaluation of co-workers/colleagues?

Collaboration Dimension

Criteria: Collaboration, Collegiality

1. Collaboration

A. Give an example of how you have utilized a group process by collaborating with other members of a team to resolve a problem affecting patient care.

2. Collegiality

A. Give an example of how you have provided feedback on the practice of others:

B. Describe how you have shared knowledge with colleagues/students:

Scientific Inquiry Dimension

Quality of Care, Research

1. Quality of Care

A. Describe your involvement in quality improvement activities:

What was the outcome of that quality improvement activity?

2. Research

A. Give an example of how you have used research findings to validate or change your practice:

WORK PREFERENCE

1. Areas of clinical interest:

2. Full time ______________ Part-time__________ Hrs/wk _____________

3. Shift: 8 hr ____________ 12 hr ____________

Day/Rotation _________ Evening __________

4. Date Available: ___________________________________________

5. Units toured: _____________________________________________

Overall Recommendations:

Interviewer: _________________________________________ Date: _________

_________________________________________ Date: _________

REFERENCES:

1.

2.

3.

Maybe this used to fall under another label, such as the KSA, I'm not sure. I thought if I posted it, then maybe someone would recognise if they had switched the name of the document.

Will keep you updated on my progress. Thank you for answering my questions.

N2B8U

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Thanks for uploading this info--this is similar to 4 dimensions of nursing. It used to be 6 dimensions of nursing and combined into 4 dimensions. There are extras info that are not on the 4 dimensions. Wow I like this HR, so detailed, mine just asked me to complete. My HR waited til the vetpro completed and sent the dimensions+vetpro to the Board. HR told me it takes up to 6 weeks to get anything back from the Board.

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Update:

Today is exactly one week since I submitted the above paperwork. I just hung up the phone with the recruiter who has now requested a copy of my transcripts. I clarified electronic vs snail mail; either is acceptable as long as the document is labeled with "degree awarded".

The recruiter wanted to know if I had heard from HR yet and I informed him 'no'. He said to please be patient, but the HR will be calling me to discuss the rest of the process. He said that they have been processing a lot of applicants (there were several positions on USAJOBS for various areas for this VA posted within a few days of each other and closed within the same close time frame). The recruiter went on to say, again, to be patient and HR should be calling me soon. I also asked if there were any other items I could gather for him and he said, "No, madam, not that I am aware of at this time. These are the only things I have been asked to obtain for the boarding process."

It's looking like the process with this VA is for the recruiter to call at each stage to personally request certain items. Could be an effort to improve the overall manner of the hiring process. I know there has been some new individuals come into this facility, including the manager I interviewed with. She had informed me that she was new to her position. I asked if she had transferred from within and she said, "No. I was hired from outside the VA. I'm learning the whole process too."

I hope this info will help others along the way, especially the ROI questions. Maybe if you have this to get an idea of what is needed, then it will save you time.

As a side note, I'm in somewhat of a pickle. Like many of you I had applied to various places and was offered and accepted another position 3 days before getting a call from the VA. I have been in graduate studies full time for the last year, so, I haven't been working. However, I am in need of getting cash flowing again. I don't want to burn any bridges with the recent offer and I am supposed to begin orientation next week. Given the known timelines we have, it still may be a while before I hear anything "official" one way or the other. I don't have a tentative offer, only the aforementioned email.

Even though I have gotten myself into a situation, I'm so thankful to be in this position. It has taken me from May until now to even get to this point in the public sector. I don't ever remember things being this slow in civilian hospitals, but, the HR at this one could probably compete with some of the HRs others have described at the VA.

Have a great day everyone!

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Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.

My physical and fingerprinting were completed today. I was selected randomly for a drug screen. Everyone was really nice and helpful. I was told that it takes about 2 weeks for the prints to come back. After that my packet will go straight to the nursing board for approval. I still have to give my job a 2 weeks notice so I'm still looking at another month at least :dead: Everyone kept saying welcome onboard but it felt weird saying thank you since it's not official, LOL! How is everyone else?

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N2B- hope you will get the tentative offer. Yeah the sequence of the your process is different from mine. I had a tentative offer prior to the completion of the dimensions. I typed up 6 pages and spent alot of time on that since it is also used to determine the salary.

ArmyTwin- Yeah, I had the same experience, everyone welcome me aboard and I told them thank you but not official yet:) Lucky you, I was so prepared for the drug screen that I drank tons of water prior..when I got there, told them I had to go and no drug screen was required. I would make sure everything is done with the Vetpro cause my VA needed that along with the dimension to go to the Board, but not the physical. I am still waiting after 5 weeks that my package went to the board.......waiting is the name of the game.... :)

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Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.

bsnrn-All of my references were completed in Vetpro and my Vetpro rep said that she didn't need anything else from me :) It's so hard to be patient...luckily I know its worth the wait. It's definitely a waiting game :) and a true test of my patience and persistence, hahaha! Make sure you tell us as soon as you get your offer bsnrn I need your motivation and inspiration ;) :D Goodluck!!!

Oh and I wasn't quite prepared for the drug screening. I actually read your post of being prepared and drinking lots of water and not getting tested so I thought it would be the same for me NOPE, LOL!. I had barely enough to fill the cup. If I didn't I would have had to stay side by side with the collector for 3 hours so I'm glad I had just enough :yeah:

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Hi :) your posts had been very helpful, thank you much.

I wanted to share my experience so far, hope it encourage someone :

I applied 1st wk of aug

Got a call aug 19 & was interviewed aug 22 by a panel

6 people...whew! :)

The assistant chief nurse said that if chosen, the chief nurse

will call me "soon" & then HR will be involved to do their part.

So now, i wait ....... :)

I have a question though- did you guys continue to apply to

Other hospitals? When you got offered from another hospital while

waiting for VA , did you accept it?

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Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.

I didn't continuing applying to other hospitals. I actually turned down a great offer because of this unofficial opportunity. The VA has always been my first choice. :)

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I was interviewed late June, offered a tentative position in early July, have done my vetpro, physical and dimensions...still haven't heard anything.

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Hi Elisha! Yes, I continued to interview other places due to the timeframe with the VA. My problem turned out to be the public sector has been as slow, if not slower than what I have experienced with the VA. Everything has gotten ridiculous in trying to find a job since the last time I interviewed (over a decade ago). I have been in graduate school full time for a year (wasn't allowed to work per grad school requirements) and my husband has been laid off, again, for a month this time so far. I really need $$ coming in.

One of the things I have noticed, in my little part of the country, is several hospitals have been laying off full time employees only to rehire them, if they are willing, to work PRN so they won't have to offer healthcare or any other bennies. So, the market around here is saturated. The salaries in the public sector weren't all that great to begin with and now this on top of it all.

I am hoping the VA will continue with the schedule it seems to be following, notifying me of each step each week. I have confirmation my transcripts have been received; I am relieved as I was very worried since at no point were they physically in my hands to "know" they were delivered. LOL.

I would say I wish the VA would hurry as the more I think about this other position, the more I am dreading it. The area is what I love (PACU) but, my gut is telling me I won't be happy. I really want the position with the VA. My Dad was a Vietnam Vet and a lot of my family members are military (either active or in the reserves) and they are partly the reason I have changed my major in graduate school. I want to feel like I am giving something back to them since they have given up so much for me.

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