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 ?

Once you get your paperwork ready, the stuff goes to a nursing board and they determine your salary.

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Hey Guys, so I had my interview on October 26th and received an email that afternoon from the nurse manager that interviewed me, requesting my three references to complete and email him the documents he provided me. I asked him what the next step would be after they turned those in and he said he will call them and make a determination amongst candidates to refer to HR. all of my references emailed him their documents on October 27th and have not received calls yet. should I be concerned? how long should I wait to contact him if I haven't heard back or if they still haven't been called? I'm getting very nervous and want this job badly!

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Specializes in MDS, Med Surg.

No relax it's only one day if your posting is correct and. Keep in mind this process can move fast or slow depends on the nurse managers and or recruiters. I have done all that was required of me and my file will just make it to boards this week. Who knows how long it will be after that process before and official offer is made.

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Just curious for those that have started - any idea how long it took between the Nursing Professional Standards Board meeting and when you were notified of your start date? I have everything done (I interviewed back in August), and was told the board met about my case to decide salary on 10/19. Vetpro, etc is all cleared already. When I contact HR, they say they can't schedule me for orientation until they receive board approval. Of course I will likely miss this upcoming orientation and will have to wait another two weeks for the next one!

Thanks for letting me vent- so frustrating but this thread has been my support group!

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Specializes in MDS, Med Surg.

Wish I new, my file went to boards yesterday. I just want to know what to expect and start making preparations to start this wonderful journey

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Definitely! I searched back earlier in this thread and someone heard back the same day it went to the board. I think the hold up depends on how fast they get the board approval signed. I've been waiting about 2 weeks, so it must vary. Hang in there!

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Okay so the nurse manager spoke with all of my references on November 2nd. i hadn't heard anything from him so yesterday November 8th, I followed up and he stated, "All paperwork has gone to HR. If you do not hear from them in the near future you were not selected, if you were they will be contacting you. That is all I can say."

I am not sure how to feel about his response? Anyone have any input?

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Only speaking from my own experience, but it is still early to rule anything out and I think you are still in the running. My nurse manager and HR do not communicate - my manager has zero idea where I am in the hiring process. It sounds like you are the person the manager wants to move forward with - now HR will take it from there. Process may vary but I would just wait to hear from HR for a tentative offer (then the process of credentialing, background check etc will begin if you give them the go ahead to proceed), your nurse recruiter may have contact info for the HR specialist that is handling your file. Hang in there!

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Finally got boarded and just wanted to update for those who want an idea of an internal applicant timeline, I was a nurse tech applying for RN position at the same VA facility -

Late August - Interviewed

Early September - got tentative offer, completed my part of Vetpro two weeks later, took another week for references to return their forms, no background check needed since I am an internal employee with an active ID badge

Early October - references all responded and verified, education/degree confirmed by a third party (this part took weeks)

Late October - file was presented to the board

Mid November - finally boarded, given salary, awaiting my start date this week for likely December

So from tentative offer to getting on board and told my salary, it took about 2.5 months. Granted I was an internal applicant going from a tech to RN at the same facility, it didn't speed things up much. Just waiting now for a December orientation date. So likely total of waiting will be 3.5 months before I actually get to the floor.

So my advice is be patient and if you are employed already, DO NOT QUIT YOUR CURRENT JOB. It will take time, months, and you will have more than enough notice to put in your two weeks/30 day notice at your job. I was unemployed because I graduated- the wait was torture and financially stressful. Keep your job or look for a part time job in the meantime, and eventually VA will work out. I would not put my life on hold. Salary and benefits don't compare anywhere else - so hang in there!

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Hi, I have been reading about the VA hiring process, thank you for the information, very helpful. I have an interview in a couple of days for a "Temporary, Full-Time, NTE 12 months" position. Can anyone give any insight to this? I have been looking online for information on this job status and it is not looking as good as I originally thought--benefits? any better odds of being hired permanently? I really want to work for the VA, but I am wondering if the temporary employment is worth the effort and risk.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Just what it says, the position is temporary and not to be longer than 12 months. This does not mean the position will not be changed to permanent. You will get all the benefits and the odds are great you will get a permanent position because to the length of the hiring process. Is it worth it, that is up to you. I took the chance in 2005 and within 2-3 months the position was changed to permanent.

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Ok, another question. I had my interview today, went well, they handed me a 2-page info sheet and on the sheet in bold it says that they need your most recent performance appraisal?? Wot?! First of all, I have worked at my current job over a year and only now did we just start the process of a performance review not to be completed until May of next year. And second, the last performance review I had was over two years old at my last job and I do not even know how I can access that report anymore. Is this a standard thing? What do I do? Do I have to provide a personal and confidential job performance appraisal?

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