Va Hiring Process 2019

I'll give my 2-cents prefaced with that I am myself a veteran who has gone through a few different VAs from a patient's perspective, and I have applied (as a nurse with 5+ years experience) to hundreds of VA positions (and recently just got hired).

From what it seems (based on my experience and forums I've read in the past), if you receive an informal job offer (or tentative offer as they seem to call it), that seems to be solid as long as they don't discover anything bad or that you lied about on your application... but there could still be pitfalls such as downsizing or hiring freezes.  I'd be 100% certain to not provide any misleading information at any stage of this process... although my mother was hired at a VA even though she told me she accidentally was over a year inaccurate regarding experience on some of her previous jobs so it might not be a big deal.

Everyone responding who speaks on each VA being different is 100% correct. I've had great experiences as a student and patient at the Cleveland VA.  I've had not-so-great experiences both as a patient and pre-employment candidate at multiple other VAs.  The VA hiring me in a small town in Texas by far seems to be one of the best experiences I've had to-date (I'm not saying that just because they hired me, but because they legitimately are warm and welcoming in all communications).

VA application and hiring timeline:

1/6/2019 – applied for position (open announcement with prolonged close date)

1/10/2019 – notice of referral

1/15/2019 – phone interview appointment made for 1/17/2019

1/17/2019 – phone interview conducted (very positive)

2/1/2019 – informal job offer received via phone

2/5/2019 – tentative job offer received via email; completed new hire questionnaire and OF-306

2/11/2019 – received VETPRO instructions, completed VETPRO, sent official transcripts

Between 2/6/2019 and 2/25/2019 had multiple conversations with hiring VA and the VA performing the “Courtesy” fingerprinting and physicial

2/25/2019 – fingerprinting and physical completed by "courtesy" VA

2/27/2019 – return for TB skin test completed

3/8/2019 – HR received and informed me of salary information from the “Board”

3/20/2019 – e-QIP process started by HR, submitted e-QIP

4/3/2019 – HR confirmed the “courtesy” physical neglected to include a drug test, scheduled a drug test on-site with hiring VA; also confirmed e-QIP “was on desk” and good to go (I don’t think the background check was completed, but was enough through the process to move forward)

4/05/2019 – “DT” drug test completed on-site

4/15/2019 – received phone official job offer and email official job offer.

From my understanding, this is a relatively standard timeframe.  I've read horror stories of taking years to get through, and I've seen with my own mother the process taking less than a month... but the average process seems to be about 3-5 months.  I wouldn't get too excited or discouraged from any particular step in the process.  There are a lot of "hands in the pot" and they don't always speak with each other.  As I mentioned, this is the 4th position in the VA that I was interviewed for, and probably close to the 200th that I've applied to.  I hope this information helps some others who are looking for answers.

My word of advice, pay close attention to the hiring managers' inflection and mood during the interview, as well as the nurse recruiters' demeanor (to determine if it will be a friendly or hostile work environment)... and if you want to get into the VA, don't just apply at your local VA.

I recently applied for a position at my local VA. My mom works there in a different dept. and I was hoping to snag a job there. From what I've been reading, if I get an interview it saves time to bring reference letters with you. Any other tips? Thanks y'all, I appreciate the experience sharing!

24 minutes ago, JasTheRN said:

I recently applied for a position at my local VA. My mom works there in a different dept. and I was hoping to snag a job there. From what I've been reading, if I get an interview it saves time to bring reference letters with you. Any other tips? Thanks y'all, I appreciate the experience sharing!

Arrive early. Bring extra copies of your resume. Bring references. Ask questions! 

Hello,

I'm sure other posters may have replied that the waiting game for the background clearance checks, (which have to be done before they can 'offer' you the job as I understand,) can take 3 months. I know of people who applied for GS nursing jobs that didn't start work for almost 6 months after their interview.

Good luck, it sounds like you did well.

Jen

Here's an update on my experience thus far...was offered the position, tentatively, in late April, completed the physical, finger printing, drug test and all required paperwork in early May (2+ hour drive one way for me to where I had to go). References were checked. Was asked multiple times to  resubmit already submitted paperwork after this as it couldn't be read/located or some other reason. Information was suppose to go before the boards for salary 3 weeks ago. The morning of that day I was contacted asking for yet another resume update showing hours worked weekly at each job.  I sent it with in 15 minutes and received confirmation it was received in HR.

I have heard nothing since then. No idea if I my information went to the boards, if they changed their minds, whatever. Contacted HR via email who has yet to respond ( a little over 2 weeks now). My application on their site shows original date of application (4 1/2 months ago) & "selected" but nothing else. Am about ready to give up and move on.

It is hard for a foreign educated nurse to get a job for the VA? I have an RN license in NY and also an lvn license in CA. I’m having problems with endorsing my RN- NY license to CA. 

Currently I work for the LA county as an LVN but I want to start using my RN license. So I’m thinking of applying for VA jobs since I heard that it doesn’t matter where you are license as long as you have a RN license you can apply. BTW I am a US citizen. Would it be best if I secure an LVN job first then after sometime apply for an RN opening??? Any advise?? thanks

As a former nurse for the VA, it takes an average of 3-4 months. After I got HIRED, it was still a month and a half before I started working

osis....you said you are a US citizen but your education is not US based? If you are licensed in NY and other places then I'm not sure what you are asking as you have obviously met the requirements for licensure in the states. As far as having difficulty getting endorsed in Ca that would be something the board in Ca would have to answer for you as to why there is an issue. As far as applying to the VA, I'd suggest applying to any position you are qualified for but keep in mind if you are in need of a job immediately or within a month or two the VA is NOT the way to go. As others on here have said and I myself am experiencing, it take MONTHS plus a LOT of paperwork, etc. It is NOT like the public sector or even a private company, it does not move that fast or easily. To my knowledge a license in the state you are applying isn't necessarily required as it's a federal position but you do have to be licensed. The job descriptions and requirements are very detailed at the usajob.gov listings. 

Where I am now is I did receive confirmation my information was "boarded" - now it's another waiting game for approval of administrator -  and there is no time frame for that. Once that is done the formal offer is made then a start date is given which could still be several months. So far it's been 4 months since application to this point. I am grateful I am not in a position I am desperate for a job or desperate to leave where I'm currently working, otherwise I for sure would have to move on elsewhere but for now, I'm going to wait it out and at least see what the offer ends up as.

2 hours ago, Southpawdown said:

osis....you said you are a US citizen but your education is not US based? If you are licensed in NY and other places then I'm not sure what you are asking as you have obviously met the requirements for licensure in the states. As far as having difficulty getting endorsed in Ca that would be something the board in Ca would have to answer for you as to why there is an issue. As far as applying to the VA, I'd suggest applying to any position you are qualified for but keep in mind if you are in need of a job immediately or within a month or two the VA is NOT the way to go. As others on here have said and I myself am experiencing, it take MONTHS plus a LOT of paperwork, etc. It is NOT like the public sector or even a private company, it does not move that fast or easily. To my knowledge a license in the state you are applying isn't necessarily required as it's a federal position but you do have to be licensed. The job descriptions and requirements are very detailed at the usajob.gov listings. 

Where I am now is I did receive confirmation my information was "boarded" - now it's another waiting game for approval of administrator -  and there is no time frame for that. Once that is done the formal offer is made then a start date is given which could still be several months. So far it's been 4 months since application to this point. I am grateful I am not in a position I am desperate for a job or desperate to leave where I'm currently working, otherwise I for sure would have to move on elsewhere but for now, I'm going to wait it out and at least see what the offer ends up as.

Yes, I was educated in Philippines and received all my nursing degree there. I migrated to US and eventually applied to be a US citizen which is I am now. 

I was able to sit for NCLEX-PN but not for the RN since according to CA-BON my curriculum in the PH does not meet CA standard for RN licensing. So i decided to try NY and had no problems lol CA is weird.  Tried endorsing my license back to CA but now they require me to take extra classes lol

Right now,  I work as an LVN and thinking of ways to make use of my NY-RN license that’s why I’m interested in applying for VA/ federal jobs since I heard they don’t care which state your RN license  come from.