Published Dec 29, 2008
Jams95
86 Posts
Has anyone heard of a hiring freeze coming for the VA? I applied (Registered Nurse), interviewed and was offered the job. But, I am waiting on processing and heard of a hiring freeze coming. So, I was wondering if there is any talk out there.....
SeychelleRN
175 Posts
Has anyone heard of a hiring freeze coming for the VA?
In this economy, I am sure no one is immune.
Here is an article related to VA hiring freeze
We remain concerned that VA continues to face significant
delays in receiving its budget. VA cannot be competitive
in the market for health-care professionals if it
does not have the funding necessary to do so or if it
does not receive its appropriation in a timely manner.
When managers do not have a budget for the coming
year, they are unable to plan for new hires of critical
staff. VA is forced to place hiring freezes on its medical
centers nationwide. The hiring freezes have forced individual
medical facilities to assign non-nursing duties
to current nurses. This detracts from immediate bedside
care and ultimately jeopardizes the health of the
veteran.
Source:
Independent Budget For the Department of Veteran Affairs Fiscal Year 2009: Financial Issues (pages 43-46)
youknowho
470 Posts
I called the VA Palo Alto not too long ago and they told me there was a hiring freeze. I could still turn in an application but.....
Also,I know someone who just started at this same facility about 3-4 months age and she said her unit (she is a manager) is totally understaffed. Guess I will wait until things get better.
Charlotte205
14 Posts
The VA is already understaffed. How could this be? BTW, I heard the VA gets a lot of their RNs from an agency, is this true?
Mobiusrain
45 Posts
I just called today as well, though I did already mail an application beforehand. Seems like they still are in a hiring freeze at the moment, bleh! They said check back by next month, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. This economy is really frustrating me...
the va is already understaffed. how could this be?
it's all the red tape involved in trying to secure a position and nurses not having the financial freedom/security to wait months for these positions. here is an all nurses thread that will give you more insight: why is the va taking so long to hire you?
btw, i heard the va gets a lot of their rns from an agency, is this true?
i think you might be referring to the va travel nurse corps. here is some additional information: va's new "travel nurse program" hits the road
[color=deepskyblue]in regards to the hiring freeze, i hear it is a soft freeze. anyone have any idea how long it's going to last?:vlin:
Valerie Salva, BSN, RN
1,793 Posts
The VA Travel Nurse Corps is a pilot program. There are not very many nurses in it.
Many private agencies provide nurses for the VA. I know, because I worked at the VA (perm employee, quit in 2008) and there were always outside agency and private angency travel nurses.
The VA that I am in is only hiring in Medical Surgical. There are hiring freeze in other departments (ICU, tele ect).
The VA that I am in is only hiring in Medical Surgical floor. There are hiring freeze in other departments (ICU, tele ect).
West_Coast_Ken, BSN, RN
214 Posts
The VA Travel Nurse Corps is a pilot program. There are not very many nurses in it.Many private agencies provide nurses for the VA. I know, because I worked at the VA (perm employee, quit in 2008) and there were always outside agency and private angency travel nurses.
Checking the link on the VA Travel Nurse Corps web site for "Open Positions" returns the following message:
"We're sorry. You cannot apply to this job as it has been removed from the site."
So it appears the hiring freeze is here, also. Additionally, these positions are (were) temporary assignments, not a full time job with benefits, etc.
I<3Nursing
110 Posts
There is a hiring freeze at our VA. They also have decided to elimate agency and overtime. We are very well staffed with excellent nurse to patient ratios. I think each VA has it owns issues, but they cannot all be classified as all VAs having them.
rmartinez91
24 Posts
Does anyone have a clue as to when the hiring freeze at VA will end?