VA Hiring Process

But the poster above was told nurse II level 7 before submitting everything. I have never heard of that because the nursing board which determines salary doesn't meet until after background check, etc, is completed. Who knows? Lol.

But the poster above was told nurse II level 7 before submitting everything. I have never heard of that because the nursing board which determines salary doesn't meet until after background check, etc, is completed. Who knows? Lol.

Yeah, but I tend to take everything posted with a grain of salt. I don't think that people intentionally misrepresent (and to be clear, I'm NOT saying that's what happened here!) I'm just saying that what you read on here is AFTER someone told someone who told someone and then that someone thought about it and typed it out in a post. And it's pretty common for the posted query or comment to be a bit 'off' of what is really going on. And, let's face it, the VA hiring process is a mucky mire to traverse even if you're paying complete attention and are good at multi-tasking! :)

I was just sharing what is happening in my situation; I was told by my recruiter that the board determined my grade and salary by reviewing my resume which basically consist of everything necessary to conclude on my experience and education. I didn't ask my recruiter if the board will still meet again at the end, that is why I ask my fellow nurses if anyone had something like that happened to them. Don't I wish I was given an opportunity to sell my self more by completing the dimensions that most on this thread been completing? Yes. I guess facilities differs around the country even though the norm is for the board to meet at the end. I received email Friday with information to go to Vetpro which I am going to work on today.

I was just sharing what is happening in my situation; I was told by my recruiter that the board determined my grade and salary by reviewing my resume which basically consist of everything necessary to conclude on my experience and education. I didn't ask my recruiter if the board will still meet again at the end, that is why I ask my fellow nurses if anyone had something like that happened to them. Don't I wish I was given an opportunity to sell my self more by completing the dimensions that most on this thread been completing? Yes. I guess facilities differs around the country even though the norm is for the board to meet at the end. I received email Friday with information to go to Vetpro which I am going to work on today.

If the Standards Board has your resume and has met to discuss it, then that's that; they don't allow any "selling of oneself" like in the private sector. Salary is based on a pretty specific set of criteria, which is all to be found in your resume/application. They award no points on personality, or your interpretation of what you submitted.....they will assign your experience and education it's "spot" on the grading scale, and with that, determine your pay. They do not meet again prior to your boarding to discuss again; that is only done at the time you are eligible for annual evaluation.

Now, that said, if once you get your salary quote you are dissatisfied with it, you can ask that it be reviewed---you'd need to give a reason, such as being able to provide a recent pay stub showing how much you're making now and they haven't met that as a minimum (don't expect them to exceed it, they rarely do, or if they do, by very little). You need to do that prior to officially accepting their offer, though.

Good luck, this is a BEAR of a process!

Thanks, RNsWe, this process is something serious. I am satisfied with their offer because at my current work, we haven't had a raise in 4 years, if I had a full time position, my base pay will be laughable. Hopefully all goes well with the background check, I am waiting on physical and whatever is next. VetPro submitted yesterday. By selling my self, I meant to elaborate on those dimensions, and send letters from patients, coworkers, my boss and all kind of education hours. My evaluations too are really nice, I wouldn't mind sharing with them. Anyway, that doesn't matter now. I just sit tight and pray. I am ready for a change hope is for the best.

Thank you all for this thread!

Thanks, RNsWe, this process is something serious. I am satisfied with their offer because at my current work, we haven't had a raise in 4 years, if I had a full time position, my base pay will be laughable. Hopefully all goes well with the background check, I am waiting on physical and whatever is next. VetPro submitted yesterday. By selling my self, I meant to elaborate on those dimensions, and send letters from patients, coworkers, my boss and all kind of education hours. My evaluations too are really nice, I wouldn't mind sharing with them. Anyway, that doesn't matter now. I just sit tight and pray. I am ready for a change hope is for the best.

Thank you all for this thread!

I just wanted to offer that none of that matters at all, it's not that you missed your chance! NONE of that fits into the criteria for Level and Step: you can have a ton of voluntary CEUs, a ton of letters from everyone up to the Pope saying you're the best nurse ever, and it won't matter. Level of education and years of experience is what will give you your number; the wiggle room comes in if you can show they aren't meeting the competition's rate of pay (like with a pay stub).

That part, I have to say, is pretty frustrating to those (including myself!!) who can show that they're Nurse of the Year.....but at VA, doesn't matter, it doesn't have a monetary value.

One of the things often overlooked when people look at the pay is the fact that an RN is eligible for 26 days of vacation immediately (earned at the rate of 8 hours per pay period)! Most people are working 15 or more years to reach that standing. Then there's the 10 paid Federal holidays, AND sick pay earned at the rate of 4 hours per pay period (13 days a year). While you can't use PTO to fill your gas tank, for some of us, time off is VERY valuable :) :)

Hi yall!

I've been reading through some of these comments for insights. I was called for a tentative interview for critical care. However, i was told this interview was contingent to me passing an entrance exam. I will not progress to the interview if I fail this test. Anyone knows what this is about?

Only thing I can possibly think of would be the med/dosage calculations test....? Our facility (most, I think?) don't do this until after you've boarded, during orientation. But perhaps the VA you're interested in eliminates the possiblity of hiring someone who cannot pass by doing it prior to even an interview? It seems odd, but maybe that's it.

You would be required to pass a physical exam prior to being officially offered the job, but NOT prior to the interview. You also have to pass the background check, credentialing verification processes but again, never heard of this being done PRIOR to an interview.

Thanks RNsRWe. I thought it was odd too. But that is what I was told when I was called for a "potential" interview. I was so surprised because this is 1st for me and I have been a nurse almost 10 years now. Anyways, she says they have a lot of candidates. I guess its a way to do process of elimination and choosing the right candidate. I am anticipating that I will do well.

Good luck! If it's just a med/dosage calc test and you've been a nurse for 10 years, you should be fine. :)

So I too have a tentative offer for ICU float pool. I've done my blood draw, vetpro and all the HR paper work. I just have to send in my 9 essentials of nursing and wait for my references to do their part...

I've tried to read through this thread, but can any elaborate and any details and extras they want in this experience letter? Both HR and the employee health RN told me to write everything I can think of, even things such as volunteering or coaching, because it all adds up...

Hi all, I have been following this thread for last couple of months. I had an interview on last October and they call my reference. Since then no news , no calls , no emails. I called HR and said I just wanted to know I selected or not , HR rep. said she can't give any information and this is Atlanta va. If anybody know if I am not selected they inform me? Please help