VA Hiring Process

LubbockNP-

where in the pay range does a nurse III place you? Somewhere in the middle? Just curious. Obviously the salaries they list for NP positions are pretty broad and I am a bit concerned about a pay cut as well. I have only been an NP for 3.5 years.

I just started my job at the VAMC here in Phoenix a month ago. My experience was pretty quick (for government hiring process). I applied on the usajobs.gov website after Christmas and started the first week of April. My interview was telephonic, as I was stationed at Walter Reed in Bethesda, MD at the time on a 9 month mobilization. It was a panel interview. Most of the process is hurry up and wait, just like most goverment entities. The main wait time comes from the credentialing process. For example, here in Phoenix, there is one individual responsible for credentialing of all LPN's and RN's. On average, it seems like the wait is about 4-6 months. Any questions, please feel free to drop me a line. Good luck to all.

Has anyone dealt with an unpleasant HR personnel? It's the most frustrating hiring process I've been going through since January; my HR contact person has been nothing but inconsistent and unpleasant. Apparently, I was finally boarded 2 months after my packet was submitted to the board. I was given a final offer over the phone, I accepted and we agreed on a start date, I was told I'll have my offer in writing the next day (via email and regular mail would be sent), it's now almost a week later and once again the HR personnel has not followed through on her promise. I'm wondering if it would be appropriate to contact someone else in HR to get my offer in writing because I'm in a time crunch and expected to relocate to start working in less than 6 weeks. Without a written offer letter I cannot secure housing, and quite frankly I don't believe anything the HR personnel tells me unless it's in writing, so until I see the letter I don't believe I have the job. Any suggestions anyone?

Any luck? I've been waiting now, for what seems like weeks on a final offer. The recruiter said "soon," but that was over a week ago. Absolutely zero communication from their end. It's incredibly frustrating and I really have to wonder if I'm really hired.

Any luck? I've been waiting now, for what seems like weeks on a final offer. The recruiter said "soon," but that was over a week ago. Absolutely zero communication from their end. It's incredibly frustrating and I really have to wonder if I'm really hired.

As expected, I have not heard anything back from the HR specialist. I emailed her a few days ago and of course she hasn't responded back to me. I feel the same way as you, until its in writing I won't believe it, especially since I've worked for the VA previously. I went ahead and gave my notice to move out of my rental so I am going through the motions, but I do have a plan B just in case. I will also move forward with any other tentative offers I might receive from other VA's (I'm expecting one tentative offer from somewhere else). I hate to begin this whole process over again, but I feel as if I have no choice but to move forward or else I will be homeless and jobless; since both my current employer and rental place require at least a 30 day notice.

As expected, I have not heard anything back from the HR specialist. I emailed her a few days ago and of course she hasn't responded back to me. I feel the same way as you, until its in writing I won't believe it, especially since I've worked for the VA previously. I went ahead and gave my notice to move out of my rental so I am going through the motions, but I do have a plan B just in case. I will also move forward with any other tentative offers I might receive from other VA's (I'm expecting one tentative offer from somewhere else). I hate to begin this whole process over again, but I feel as if I have no choice but to move forward or else I will be homeless and jobless; since both my current employer and rental place require at least a 30 day notice.

IMO, you have every reason to email the HR specialist and spell out why you need your offer letter. Is there not a Nurse Recruiter working on this position? I would email him or her, too, and follow up with phone calls to both. Holy cow

Any luck? I've been waiting now, for what seems like weeks on a final offer. The recruiter said "soon," but that was over a week ago. Absolutely zero communication from their end. It's incredibly frustrating and I really have to wonder if I'm really hired.

One week usually does not mean soon at the VA. I would email to " touch base." You could say that and also maybe ask a question like how long is NEO (New Employee Orientation) or some such.

IMO, you have every reason to email the HR specialist and spell out why you need your offer letter. Is there not a Nurse Recruiter working on this position? I would email him or her, too, and follow up with phone calls to both. Holy cow

So my team consist of the point of contact person (HR specialist) and another HR specialist who I was in contact with during the VETPRO process. I did contact someone else in HR who basically told me that they are overworked and understaffed, so they have been slow with getting out written offers. Oh well, I'll just have to keep hanging in there, I know not every VA boarding process is like this, so I won't let this discourage me.

Finally got the call!! They boarded me as a Nurse I, Level 3, Step 7. Start 2 June. cannot wait......

Congratulations ORTech2RN!

I am really hoping that you meant Level 7, Step 3?

Nope, that's my assigned level. My current position pays considerably less, so this offer, with the pay, benefits and opportunities for increase is exciting for me.

Finally got the call!! They boarded me as a Nurse I, Level 3, Step 7. Start 2 June. cannot wait......

Congratulations! Did they say when you can expect to see the written offer?