VA Hiring Process

[wife&mommyRN]

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 ?

[xkc3158]

This is standard at VA it seems, at least at mine also. Email or call your recruiter and explain your situation, I was able to submit a letter of reference from my current supervisor in lieu of a formal performance appraisal because I did not have one yet at the time of my interview.

[Calinrse2b]

Thank you xkc3158. I interviewed this morning and just got a call with a tentative offer! Wow! Fast for the VA. I did ask them about the performance appraisal and the HR person did say there are some other options, so that sounds more reassuring.

[missnurse45]

Okay guys thanks for being my voice of reason throughout this! I was given a tentative offer on Wednesday!!! Now the hard stuff begins lol!

[Nicole82RN]

Congrats! I'm not sure what to think at this point. My file went to boards I heard nothing for about 2 weeks, I call nurse recruiter and she says I spoke to you already í ¾í´”, I'm like no. So she goes on to tell me a tentative start date and, rates, and that she has to go back and ask for approval for me to start the date she verbalized to me. Was that an offer? I'm used to an offer or something in writing.

[AmberRN2012]

So just to update on me and my timeline ��

Applied 6/28 (closing date 7/12)

Interview 8/4

Phone offer and references given 8/5

Whirlwind of vet pro, equip and misc in August (tentative offer and salary was also somewhere in here)

Physical/Fingerprints 9/8

Boarded 10/5

Started 11/14

I agree with everyone that says do not give notice! I gave notice because HR and I had discussed an earlier start date and I was getting pressured to give a notice, but due to unforeseen circumstances (a hurricane) I got pushed back twice. So I was out of work for a month when I only anticipated a week.

[Missrn818]

I've received 4 step increases in total for getting board certified so you can receive multiple SAAs. My facility had a limit of 5 and I regret not getting the fifth. Some facilities may still allow but right now my facility has a hold on any step increases for specialty certification and only allows cash award.

[Missrn818]

Definitely don't give notice until you have your start date in writing. The VA is known to be extremely slow in the hiring process. One of the managers I know recently transferred and it took her a while and she's already in the system. The wait had to do with missing paperwork even though it was sent and the HR rep just not getting back to her. Good luck!

[missnurse45]

Hey guys so I was given a tentative offer on nov. 23! Nov. 28th I did my physical, urine and blood tests, vet pro, e-quip, and fingerprints. I confirmed last week with a nurse recruiter that they received all of my documentaction including my mailed official transcripts and she said yes. I haven't heard anything else since I completed everything on the 28th besides following up on my documents last Thursday. At what point should I follow up to see what's going on? Also, did anyone have to take a medication test?

[Nicole82RN]

I would give two to three week, then ask if any updates have occurred. You should probably be given an idea or estimation of when your file will be going to boards.

[missnurse45]

Okay thank tou. Do you know if there is a medication test?

[missnurse45]

Hey guys! Just received my firm offer today and I start January 9th! Here's my timeline:

posting closed end of September

Interview 10/26

tentative offer 11/23

Physical, bloodwork, fingerprints, equip and vetpro submitted on my end on 11/28

firm offer given today 12/22!!

[AutumnFutureNurse]

I applied december 2012, my status was updated after a week, nurse recruiter called me 1st week of jan, i got on spinal cord the 2nd week of january, icu and tele the 3rd week.

payscale?