VA Hiring Process

Hello--I am currently being boarded for an outpt clinic as an NP. I was wondering if anyone had any experience or would shed some light about the boarding process and what you've been boarded as. I have only 2.5 years of NP experience and less than 1 year or RN experience.

Hi all. I am wondering if VA needs BSN and their base salary and any exceptional benefit for nurse with one year experience. Tx

Hi Natira.

I know your post is from last year but I seen it and wanted to ask some questions that maybve you could help answer. I recently applied for a job with the Jesse Brown VA in chicago also. How is it working there? Hows the nurse to patient ratio? I applied on the Community Living Center and Rehabilitation Unit on 6 west. Do you know anything about that unit? How are the staff there?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. You can respond to this thread or private message me. Thanks so much!

-Stephanie

Hi Natira23.

How is it working at the Jesse Brown VA in psych? I applied and wanted to get some feedback. Thanks!

Jadiva,

Thanks so much!!!! I got the official email from HR right before close of business on Friday. The long wait is finally over, Thank God! I start orientation tomorrow so I'm super excited to get started. Thanks for the support :)[/quote

I applied to the Jesse Brown VA. How is it working there? What's the nurse to patient ratio? Do you like it? What shift do you work? Thanks.

Do you have be be a citizen to be fired a VA?

Do you have be be a citizen to be fired a VA?

I meant HIRED! Lol

Lol, I assumed you meant "hired," but yes — the VA jobs posted on USAjobs.gov typically state that "non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy." So yes, but citizens are given preference.

Thanks pixie [emoji4]

Catrina387

Hmmm...the entire hospital structurally is nice, however, most of the staff is not. There are A LOT of staff who are very entitled and have literally told me that they are only there for the benefits and only have "x" amount of years until they retire. Countless times I've been told and heard staff members state what they will not do during report even if it's part of their job description and then threaten to leave if you don't give them the assignment that they expect, which is absolutely insane to me.

There are some great people who actually value their job and want to make a difference, but they are few and far between. If you have experience and have been around this type of environment, then maybe it won't be a bother, but I would not recommend working here as a new nurse/graduate.

There is also a 2 year probation period and I've been told by the union director that you can literally be fired for anything so it's best to keep your nose clean. There is also a lot of professional jealousy and people do not want to see you succeed. I have been blessed to find the "right" people to talk to and I have wonderful mentor who has helped me adjust, but I still have one more year to go. I hope this answers your questions.

Catrina387,

To be honest and blunt, the inpatient psych unit has a bad reputation. There are nurses who work on the unit that are not allowed to work anywhere else in the hospital due to medical errors and other professional issues. The description I gave in my other post about blatant entitlement, refusal to do certain duties, unprofessionalism, and insubordination is what I encounter on a daily basis on this unit. There is also favoritism, lack of effective communication, etc. This unit is rarely ever fully staffed and most of the time we are short and nurses on average have about 5-7 patients, however, there have been times when there have only been 3 nurses to cover 25 patients and one of those nurses was the charge nurse. On a rare good day in terms of staffing, you can have 3-4 patients. The most I've had is about 8 or 9 which included a new admission.

Charge nurses take on a full load of patients and we essentially have two units. 7 East can hold a max of 25 patients and 7 West can hold a max of 13 patients. The charge nurse already has a bunch of paperwork to do, so having a full load of patients and be responsible for the staff and patients on both units is a challenge, and there is also no differential for being charge nurse.

If you are interested in the benefits and think you can handle the stress, by all means go for it. I personally do not like it and am already making plans to move out of state to another VA next year when my probation is up. (The probation period for RN's in two years) Overall the benefits are the only plus, but it's relative whether or not the benefits are worth the environment to work in. If it weren't for me being a veteran, I would quickly and gladly work somewhere else. Hope this helps.