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.
. Im still unclear as to what the orientation will be, what my hours will be during this time, what to wear, etc.....just a big wait and see I guess.
Orientation will be a few days with HR, going over a bazillion things you need to know (some you really need to know, some you need to know who to ask or where to look). You will wear business casual. Orietation will be on days, typically 8-4:30, yours may vary slightly.
You'll continue on with a nursing orientation, for which you will be instructed to wear either business casual or scrubs. Orientation will continue on previously set daytime schedule until you are placed on your permanent tour.
I've been following this thread very closely throughout my hiring process, you guys are awesome and eased my mind a lot even though this is my first time posting.
I'm currently finishing up Orientation at the VA.
I applied for several positions whenever they posted anything open, but never heard anything. So I decided to go back to school, when I all of the sudden received the call. I didn't even know what position it was for exactly, because it had been awhile since I applied.
My interview was beginning of April with 3 Nurse managers. It was super easy and they only asked me 5 questions. I was sure I messed that up, I was so nervous.
About 1 week later I was called for references, another week later I revived the tentative offer by phone.
After that I started Vetpro which I completed the same day and my references and former and current employers had everything back to them within 1 week.
My Physical and Fingerprinting was done end of May.
Then it was a 2ish week waiting game for that to come back! My nerves!
Once that cleared they send me Eqip and somebody contacted me for more info and credentials for the boarding process. I sent everything I could find, former employee of the month awards, customer service awards, special nursing classes and training and advancement I took, a detailed résumé listing exactly my job responsibilities and experience, school transcripts (I graduated top of my class so I made sure to send that just in case. Lol) ...
Then it was back to twiddling thumbs, getting gray hairs and goodbye fingernails. I was sure they changed their mind! But HR was great with keeping me in the loop and answering all my emails and calls immediately.
End of June I received the official offer! I was so excited I was shaking, I couldn't even type. The salary was surprisingly higher than I expected, I'm a new grad with just short of 1 year experience and only worked at in ADL and the jail.
So I started by Beginning/mid July, so the whole process was about 3ish months, which I was told is fairly fast in VA standards.
And they sure mean business with their nursing orientation!
Yes, 3 months is very fast. My process took approx 5 months. I have been at the va for almost 5 years and love it. There is still the old government red tape, but taking care of our nations veterans is a great feeling day in and out.
Guys. I have been following some of the conversations with you all and would like some input. I am new to the forum, so I hope I'm under the correct topic.
I completed my application to the VA community center on May 16, 2014. Interviewed - June 4. Received tentative offer - June 6. Went for fingerprinting and physical - June 10. Completed Vetpro - June 11. Was notified that my information was sent to Board/Pay panel - July 2nd. Received an E-mail from nurse recruiter on July 22nd stating, "Your application packet has been reviewed by the Professional Standards Board. The final step is receiving a call from HR with a firm job offer!"
After reading some of the posts here, I get nervous that the VA can, at the last minute, decide "no, never mind" about the job offer. I have the opportunity to take a 6 week contract with my agency, but I am afraid if I do, I will be contacted with a firm offer and start date by the VA! Should I just keep doing PRN through the agency and wait for the "firm offer?" Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
That last step can take a week or several weeks. They know people need to give notice. I was given a choice of three start dates starting about a month from when they told me everything was set. It took about a month to get that final offer letter. I would take the 6 week contract and if they come back in a week and say they want you to start very soon, let them know you are committed until x date. It should not result in a rejection of you as a candidate. Be upfront about it. They would not want you to split on them without notice. Your hiring process has been very fast!
I received a tentative offer from the VA today. I was so excited but stopped in my tracks when I realized they are requesting a recommendation from my CURRENT supervisor. There is no way I can provide that at this point. I would be fired. The VA has already contacted a former supervisor & I have a glowing annual eval from my current supervisor to share. Is there away around this requirement?? Any advice??
Let them know you are unable to provide a recommendation from your current supervisor because you can not afford to lose your job until you are ready to resign. Let them know that you are excited about the tentative offer and will assist w additional recommendations if needed but you can not have them contact your current supervisor. This is a professional issue and they should understand. Many ppl can do this but a huge number can not. It should not effect your offer. But discuss this professionally. Offer the written wonderful evaluation that you have.
Thanks pfchang - I will reach out to the recruiter on Monday. Hopefully an exception can be made because honestly that is a deal breaker for me and I'd hate that - I've come so far already!
I agree with pfchang. I informed them that letting my current job know I was thinking of leaving, would cause tension. I knew my current administrator (as unethical as it is) would give me a hard time until I left. The VA understood and accepted a recommendation from my past DON where I had been the ADON at a LTC facility in the past.
So I took the advice (thank you pfchang and mdrn1974!) and emailed the recruiter and HR regarding my deal breaking dilemma. She responded this morning saying they completely understood and it was not a problem to provide references from past co-workers and supervisor. WHEW, I’m so relieved! Set up my physical, Vetpro completed and professional society memberships joined :) Now, on to this insanely long qualification supplemental questionnaire. To be continued ....
Guys. I have been following some of the conversations with you all and would like some input. I am new to the forum, so I hope I'm under the correct topic. 
I have the opportunity to take a 6 week contract with my agency, but I am afraid if I do, I will be contacted with a firm offer and start date by the VA! Should I just keep doing PRN through the agency and wait for the "firm offer?" Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. 
RNsRWe, ASN, RN
3 Articles; 10,428 Posts
Orientation will be a few days with HR, going over a bazillion things you need to know (some you really need to know, some you need to know who to ask or where to look). You will wear business casual. Orietation will be on days, typically 8-4:30, yours may vary slightly.
You'll continue on with a nursing orientation, for which you will be instructed to wear either business casual or scrubs. Orientation will continue on previously set daytime schedule until you are placed on your permanent tour.
Good luck :)