VA hiring process 2020

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Anyone else going through the VA's long and tedious process? Lets connect here and support each other. Much luck to you all!

15 hours ago, jaznia15 said:

What questions do you have? You may get the answers from some of those already employed in the system through this forum!

How long does the process generally take? How can I find out what Level/Grade I am? (BSN, 12yrs experience) Military buyback/retirement information?

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14 hours ago, circnurs said:

How long does the process generally take? How can I find out what Level/Grade I am? (BSN, 12yrs experience) Military buyback/retirement information?

The process length varies. I've seen people say they've put in several applications and had been on several interviews before actually being hired. Me personally, I put in 2 applications in April on the same day. I was referred for the mental health NP position and contacted via email in April a few days after once the ongoing review started. The job doesnt close until December 31st but rolling reviews started in April. I didn't see that email for several weeks, interviewed in June and got tentative offer in July. I just started the process of getting all the forms turned in. Seems to be moving quickly, but of course based on what I've read I still anticipate a month or 2 before my actual start date. As a BSN prepared nurse you should be on the Nurse 2 scale, but which step is determined by the nursing board at that particular VA. The retirement is broken down on the website, just Google it. Now as far as military buyback, I don't have any military experience so I cant speak on it at all. You can try to search allnurses and see if it's been asked previously.

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14 hours ago, jaznia15 said:

The process length varies. I've seen people say they've put in several applications and had been on several interviews before actually being hired. Me personally, I put in 2 applications in April on the same day. I was referred for the mental health NP position and contacted via email in April a few days after once the ongoing review started. The job doesnt close until December 31st but rolling reviews started in April. I didn't see that email for several weeks, interviewed in June and got tentative offer in July. I just started the process of getting all the forms turned in. Seems to be moving quickly, but of course based on what I've read I still anticipate a month or 2 before my actual start date. As a BSN prepared nurse you should be on the Nurse 2 scale, but which step is determined by the nursing board at that particular VA. The retirement is broken down on the website, just Google it. Now as far as military buyback, I don't have any military experience so I cant speak on it at all. You can try to search allnurses and see if it's been asked previously.

Thanks for the info. Are there any resources within the system(beyond this forum) that you could point me towards regarding any other questions I may have?

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2 minutes ago, circnurs said:

Thanks for the info. Are there any resources within the system(beyond this forum) that you could point me towards regarding any other questions I may have?

https://www.vacareers.VA.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits/

That website outlines the benefits offered to employees.

usajobs.gov is where you will find the job listings and are able to put in an application.

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I recently interviewed for a permanent ER and ICU position and they asked for references right after my interview. Is this a good sign they’re interested? How long does it take to know if they’re interested after interview?

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On 7/16/2020 at 3:27 PM, Olga said:

Hi,

CONGRATS!

I think my experience is very different in terms of hiring process. I told them I am available June 1, and couple of days before that I got my firm offer with the start day of June 1st. So I went in without fingerprints, drug test, vetpro and equip (I'm not sure if I did it at all). I think it was easy to determine my salary because I have no experience...so there was no need for the board or anything like that. I do not think they contacted my references yet (6 weeks after I started), because they would let me know.

I was told I will go into orientation on June 1st, but turned out its not scheduled till June 8th. So I spent first week looking around on the floor. Then orientation (they wanted to give me couple of days, but I stayed for the whole week). Then I had another week on the floor, getting access to the systems etc, learning med pass and basically codes for the doors and where everything is. I could absolutely get more training time, but I wanted to start working on 12 hr shifts so I told them Im OK.

Now, CLC is really 100% different from any other nursing home on the outside. There's usually at least 2 RNs and 3 LPNs for the floor of 30 (32). Patients are similar to nursing rehab units though, not LTC. I'm actually doing the job of LPN, basically, med pass. But Im OK with it for now. They have couple of vent pts, trach and g-tube pts, some Foleys... I am a new RN basically and I think I can learn certain things there. I learned trach care and I am not absolutely terrified to do it by myself anymore))

The thing that I hate is that since they federal, they don't care, they will put an RN to do CNA's job sometimes. And they are often short of CNA's, so either LPNs or RNs have to pick up an assignment.

Another thing is people have 2 hours after shift started to call out sick... absolutely makes no sense, but... so they do assignments every day in the morning and it takes a lot of time to figure out who's here and what u need covered and who's doing what today.

How is your experience? Did you go to CLC?

It’s been a good experience so far, They have me for CLC. I’ve had the same experience as you! Initially computer training the first week then floor in CLC and medsurg/ tele for a few weeks to get acclimated to the hospital system and charting. CLC is not your typical SNF... I like it even though my background is critical care ( I still kept my other per diem job to maintain my skills). It’s a different stress! They have a lot of RNs and NAs hired recently for temporary spots to be ready for the pandemic surge and the flu season coming up. So I’m glad it’s been good so far.

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2 hours ago, LulaNurse said:

I recently interviewed for a permanent ER and ICU position and they asked for references right after my interview. Is this a good sign they’re interested? How long does it take to know if they’re interested after interview?

I was asked for references after an interview. They called my references a couple of weeks later and then I was sent a TO on last Monday. Definitely a good sign!

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So after you've turned everything in, do you just wait for HR to reach back out? I've been glad to have such a responsive HR personnel and credentialing specialist. I have everything turned in and am just waiting on my scheduled physical/fingerprinting and someone to reach out about my equip. I feel a little antsy but didn't want to keep bothering my recruiters, so did everyone just wait in silence? How often did you hear from the VA staff if you heard from them at all before the final offer?

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Specializes in BSN, RN CEN.
12 hours ago, jaznia15 said:

So after you've turned everything in, do you just wait for HR to reach back out? I've been glad to have such a responsive HR personnel and credentialing specialist. I have everything turned in and am just waiting on my scheduled physical/fingerprinting and someone to reach out about my equip. I feel a little antsy but didn't want to keep bothering my recruiters, so did everyone just wait in silence? How often did you hear from the VA staff if you heard from them at all before the final offer?

Typically I would wait 1-2 weeks after I completed a task (Such as the equip) and then reach out to my hr specialist requesting an update. I read somewhere on here to keep bugging them. It also gave me peace of mind. Just knowing it’s going forward and that my stuff if not catching dust somewhere.

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On 7/31/2020 at 11:06 AM, MsPurple20 said:

Typically I would wait 1-2 weeks after I completed a task (Such as the equip) and then reach out to my hr specialist requesting an update. I read somewhere on here to keep bugging them. It also gave me peace of mind. Just knowing it’s going forward and that my stuff if not catching dust somewhere.

I bugged them that first week so I think I'm going to wait until after my physical date on 08/12/20 then begin reaching out again. I did reach out to the credentialing specialist on last week so that gives them about two weeks of silence LOL. Now that I'm settled down a bit, I'm looking at getting some things done under my current insurance so that I'm not having to take time off once I start at the VA. I don't mind if the process takes a few months, before I was ready to start ASAP.

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Specializes in BSN, RN CEN.
3 hours ago, jaznia15 said:

I bugged them that first week so I think I'm going to wait until after my physical date on 08/12/20 then begin reaching out again. I did reach out to the credentialing specialist on last week so that gives them about two weeks of silence LOL. Now that I'm settled down a bit, I'm looking at getting some things done under my current insurance so that I'm not having to take time off once I start at the VA. I don't mind if the process takes a few months, before I was ready to start ASAP.

Yeah, you probably still got several months... I felt the same way as you! But I am ready! I’m just over this wait. I got my tentative offer in April!

It takes about one week to get blood and urine results from your physical. Credentialing takes the longest.

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I am in the same boat. I applied for my position in August 2019! for APRN position home based primary care.

Interviewed in October x2, references called in November. Then I was ghosted by HR. later there was a massive federal government shut down for several months last year.

Then in May 2nd 2020 I got a email asking if I was still interested. then weeks later I was finally sent credentialing Vetpro/equip, physical drug test etc in June.

My packet was suppose to be sent to the credentialing boarding last week but I haven't heard anything yet, the contact person has been on vacation.

Its just frustrating because I have to give 3 months notice to my current employer and given the current economic climate I can't risk giving notice before a final offer is given. I am just afraid that this job will just disappear. So the start date won't be until dec/January at this rate. Also I still don't know what I will be rated grade and step, that is another board to determine.

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