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.
Hello, I am a new grad and California licensed RN as of Dec 2013. I am wondering what is the best route to take while waiting to be either accepted into a new grad program or hired as a RN at an acute care environment/facility. Is it better to accept a full-time position or per diem/part-time position as a CNA? I've been reading about the liability issues involved working as a CNA with a RN license but the Veterans Affairs seems to be welcoming in hiring me as a CNA so can anyone share how their experience has been either working for the VA or what the likelihood is of me getting my foot in the door and transitioning into an RN position down the road at the VA? Thank you for any advice!
PcRnCa, are you specifically speaking of the VA? I would think the most important thing right now is to get RN experience wherever you can get it. I personally believe in patient hospital experience will give you the strongest foundation. Then you could apply to the VA as an experienced RN. But if you can't find a job else where as a new grad RN, and are not desperate for the money then maybe however you can get into the VA is the way to go, even if it is as a CNA.
It's interesting how some VA require the dimensions as part of the boarding process and some don't. I've had a total of 5 tentative offers from different VA's and was asked by 3 to do this. My resume is very detailed so I used that as my bases to formulate my examples of how I met the criteria. When trying to obtain nurse III, I used a lot of the activities that surpassed unit based actions, such as quality improvement officer, safety officer, and being a part of the education committee. Also, don't be afraid to use the same example more than once, a lot of examples (i.e. action) can be used to meet different criteria. Good luck to you!!!
I recently applied to a position at the VA. The application status currently says "reviewed". Does that basically mean I don't qualify for it and will not be referred?
RNin, I don't know what Reviewed means, my application says "referred" and I got a tentative offer.
iToniai, I wrote out my board statement. My boarding is on Friday, don't know if I have enough to get RN III even with 9 years NP experience. If I get low salary offer will refuse it.
It has not happened yet, My darn VETPRO is not complete. I just got an email from the VA about still missing one Reference letter. I have sent a text to that person and waiting on a reply. The VA recommended I pick another person to ask for a reference. The next board is the Friday (every other Friday). I can't board till my VETPRO is complete.
RNin, I think they often put you in "reviewed" before "referred", but only for a little while. But if you are stuck in the "reviewed" status for more than a couple of weeks then you probably aren't getting referred. But when I don't make it to referred, sometimes I get an email stating that I wasn't selected.
I am now going through the long drown hiring process. Here's my time line.
4/1/14-- job app closed
4/22/14-- interview
5/16/14-- tentative offer
Late May-- did my part in eQip and physical
6/11/14-- start VetPro, and just now come to find out i need to get more info from my references like address and phone number (initially I was told just to have email address... ugh), oh and a couple of references in my eQip had old address information, but eQip person told me not to worry about it for now... >.
VetPro-wise, I'm supposed to have everything in by the 24th.
I'm super worried that something would go wrong and I'd get disqualified!! Working for the VA is pretty much a dream nursing job for me. I need some re-assurance and encouragement please!
I don't put a whole lot of stock in the USA jobs application status stuff. Mine still says reviewed and I just turned in my Vetpro! We'll see how it goes. My fingerprinting and physical aren't until August.....the first available appointment. Seems like every applicant follows the same path, but the timeline can wildly vary. Unnerving to say the least!
I don't put a whole lot of stock in the USA jobs application status stuff. Mine still says reviewed and I just turned in my Vetpro! We'll see how it goes. My fingerprinting and physical aren't until August.....the first available appointment. Seems like every applicant follows the same path, but the timeline can wildly vary. Unnerving to say the least!
If this helps any, I know of a number of EMPLOYEES whose USAjobs account says they are being reviewed......let's just say it's not exactly kept current!
My experience with the VA hiring process has been far beyond stellar. It has left me completely clueless as to what the procedures and steps were. I have been working with two HR people and both do not seem to talk to each other. I applied for a job in march and was selected and interviewed in late march. I was offered the job several days later. In speaking with the HR person the hours of the job seemed to now include primary day's but rotating evenings and NIGHTS! I can handle evenings but nights I cant do....I made that very clear in my interview. I guess they threw that in as a curve ball in offering me the job. I asked to speak directly to the person in charge of the unit and she assured me that it dosent happen frequently and you are to know your sched 30days in advance. Also too that having a rotating sched on as needed basis is part of all the nursing sched in the VA's (not sure if this is actually true everywhere or just there). Then almost a month later, in the midst of completing my vetpro I got a call with the salary offer which was super duper low. The position was for a locked psych unit. Im not a new nurse (10 years exp and 15 years psych exp). I refused the offer and it went back to the board with my completed vetpro stuff. After several phone calls and endless emails I heard back on the offer which went up in pay and grade. I was satisfied with it and accepted. Fast fwd to the last week when I got a call from the head of HR to apologize for the circus of the boarding process and the length of time is has taken. I return call to him explaining that I had alot of questions about the process and the communication sucked basically. I also told him that I was going ahead an dplanning a vacation in JULY. I have been waiting forever to hear something and well....I have a life! His return call told me that the process takes time and to take my vacation and not worry about it affecting start date. Ok good. I then finally get ahold of the HR person who has been sort of working with m....she needed info from me to complete my offer letter. Two things: all the info she needed SHE HAS (dob, address, etc...) For real? She then told me that I have a start date in 9 days. What? Um no. She was rather rude and huffy with me. She then gave me another date at end of july. Mind you I have yet to complete a physical or fingerprints yet...I got a call to sched that but couldnt get to a phone to return the call before 3pm. I also got the equips stuff for background info check....all which has to be done within 5 calendar days of receipt. I wrote back to the person doing background check stuff and said there is no way I can do all this in 5 days. Some people work 12 hours shifts and have to work the next several days. How can I possibly get all that done. Of course there was a giant red box warning that failure to comply will rescind the offer. I havent heard anything back from that email.
Seriously. This has not been a good expereince at all. Nope. I am BEYOND hesitant to give a two weeks notice until everything is fully complete and done. I dont want to jepordize my current job. I work in a LTC facility and although not the best my sched is something that many would love to get their hands on. I am thinking of calling back the head of HR and talking to him about all of this. I dont think its crazy to not give my two weeks notice until I know for sure that everything is done and complete and they give me a start date after this.
PcRnCa
2 Posts
Hello, I am a new grad and California licensed RN as of Dec 2013. I am wondering what is the best route to take while waiting to be either accepted into a new grad program or hired as a RN at an acute care environment/facility. Is it better to accept a full-time position or per diem/part-time position as a CNA? I've been reading about the liability issues involved working as a CNA with a RN license but the Veterans Affairs seems to be welcoming in hiring me as a CNA so can anyone share how their experience has been either working for the VA or what the likelihood is of me getting my foot in the door and transitioning into an RN position down the road at the VA? Thank you for any advice!