VA Hiring Process

Specialties Government

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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 ?

Help!

Ok I applied for a position, the closing date was 7/12. Had an interview on 8/4 and received call the next day extending the offer. Emailed my 3 references to the nurse manager and then had to tell my current supervisor (the DON) that they would be calling her for a reference since they have to call the current supervisor. Well today my DON tells me that she needs my resignation letter so that she can post for my position. I haven't received any emails from HR or anything of that nature. But I did get a call on Friday afternoon to offer the position. This is a tough spot. I don't know the timeframe so I can't really give a resignation date. I'm kind of prepared to be treated like crap now until I can get out of here. Ugh.......

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT GIVE A RESIGNATION LETTER OR YOUR 2 weeks notice yet! The process could take up to 3 months before you actually start or even longer and they even say don't quit your current job until you get a firm offer with actual start date! Ive received my tentative offer back in July and still am going through the hiring process and haven't received a start date as of yet.

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They want me to give a 60 day out notice.......I'm trying to procrastinate right now. They say it's because they need to get someone in here so that I can get them trained. I know that they've been calling references today.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
They want me to give a 60 day out notice.......I'm trying to procrastinate right now. They say it's because they need to get someone in here so that I can get them trained. I know that they've been calling references today.

What does your employee handbook say about resignations? That is what you need to go by

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I don't understand why people give current supervisor references. I realize people don't know but VA should not ask. You do not have to provide a current supv reference. Anything can happen. The offer can be delayed months or even tabled. My interview to start date was 7 months. You could lose your current job because of informing your supv.

But it's done now so I would say that you are one of several candidates being considered for a position. Say you do not know what will happen and that you will try to give as much notice as you can if you are even offered a position. Then keep in mind 2 weeks is standard and 1 month is more than enough. Make it sound vague.

Good luck.

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I don't understand why people give current supervisor references. I realize people don't know but VA should not ask. You do not have to provide a current supv reference.

The VA told me that they needed at least 3 references, one of which had to be my current supervisor. I think I have bought some time with my current job since they are fighting hard to try and hold on to me, wanting me to "think about it". I probably won't board onto the VA until Sept/Oct so I have some time.

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When I left my last job, they asked what they could do to keep me. At that point, it was too late. There could have been action on the things I had brought up long before!

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When I left my last job, they asked what they could do to keep me. At that point, it was too late. There could have been action on the things I had brought up long before!

Exactly. I have brought up many problems and possible solutions that were completely brushed off. Now that I have an interest in elsewhere they realize that they will be losing someone who does the majority of the work. Anyway, I think that I'll be ok. I spoke with the nurse manager and she anticipates late Sept/early Oct for me to start. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly.

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The manager has no control over HR, unfortunately. Maybe HR has their act together at this facility. They sure don't at mine. You Will be contacted by HR to do Vetpro and Eqip which are more background checking things. They will send out written packets to references so you might want to let these people know that they are coming as soon as you complete these forms. Delays in return of these packets just delays the process for you. So pick people who you are confident will return them quickly.

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I just got my start date for the VA and I picked Sept 6. The HR rep that I was speaking with said they do orientation every two weeks and some people pick days as far as 45 days to start. Just let your current DON know that you will give them 30 days, its ok the VA understands. Now from my tentative offer to my firm offer it was about two months give or take.

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So I got my phone call from HR with my tentative offer and tentative salary on Friday. She emailed me the boatload of forms to fill out and I sent it all back with a copy of my SS card, my BLS card, my most recent eval. and my resume. She said it can still take up to 60 days for everything until I get my final offer and that they will ask for the start date because they want me to work out the remainder of whatever notice I give. I still have not given my notice because I do not feel comfortable doing so without a firm offer and prospective date yet. I'm now just waiting on HR to schedule the physical, fingerprinting and whatever else they need!

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Hello all,

Just wanted to share my experience with VA hiring. I applied in late March (took about 2 weeks to get all of the paperwork submitted correctly, and had to resubmit a few things a few times). Interviewed right before Memorial Day in May, offered the position tentatively 2 weeks later on June 15th. All VETPRO paperwork submitted June 20th, Fingerprints, physical completed June 22nd, EQUIP submitted June 23rd. File deemed completed July 15th, and in Final review the week of July 18th. Formal job offer in writing and verbally August 5th. Start date of September 6th.

All in all it was 5 months from interview to official job offer. I was told on June 15th, that once I submitted my Vet Pro, the process took approx 30-45 days. It was 33 days for me.

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So I got my phone call from HR with my tentative offer and tentative salary on Friday. She emailed me the boatload of forms to fill out and I sent it all back with a copy of my SS card, my BLS card, my most recent eval. and my resume. She said it can still take up to 60 days for everything until I get my final offer and that they will ask for the start date because they want me to work out the remainder of whatever notice I give. I still have not given my notice because I do not feel comfortable doing so without a firm offer and prospective date yet. I'm now just waiting on HR to schedule the physical, fingerprinting and whatever else they need!

Good! Moving along!!!!

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