VA Nurse II Proficiency Assistance

[mignon405]

I've been at the VA for three years and have 14-years of Nursing Experience. I completed my BSN last year but was denied my RN II during my past evaluation. I'm preparing my Proficiency Evaluation for another attempt; however this is a very frustrating process. I’ve taken on Charge Nurse Duties, served as a nurse preceptor, and joined several committees.

Would someone who was successful in the process be willing to share their Proficiency to help me identify what they're looking for?

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I am also interested in this. I was started as a level 1 step 3 despite having the years and BSN as well as charge duties, preceptor, committees at my other job.

[Traveler0202]

It can be very frustrating. I had the experience, my BSN, was on multiple committees, implemented changes, did education projects, was charge, preceptor, checked off all the boxes, had top reviews from my manager and was still refused. My manager rebutted and I know she worked very hard on this and I ended up getting my nurse II.

I feel we are asked to do the job of a 2 before we can maybe get the pay that goes with it. It's backwards to what we see in other settings. Usually you get a promotion and the added responsibilities come with it.

Try using the proficiency evaluation form as a template when writing your proficiency, make sure you insert multiple valuable references (peer-reviewed and less than 5 yrs old), and show positive outcomes for every initiative.

Some VAs still vote by committees... I think they were wanting to get away from that? I know that some VAs are more generous than others, the difficulty lies in finding out which ones!

[tazobucks]

Have you looked at your past review and worked on the dimensions that you have not met? Every board is different. They do like to see goals and outcomes. Include how you were an integral part in meeting your unit's goals for HAPI, Falls, Behavioral, Pain, etc.

Start your own committee within your unit.

It is a very difficult process and stressful.

Good luck!

[NurseStephen, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Helpful hints: You have 9 dimensions of nursing practice you must discuss. Make sure that you put in an example of how you affected the unit on each 9 dimensions. If you talk about what you did for your patient only, that only meets a Nurse 1. This gets difficult for the ethics and resource utilization domains.

Don’t be generic “I stayed up to date with TMS, BLS, etc.” Be specific about what you did for the unit.

Hope this helps!

[Louisvillian]

Any advice on how to write my yearly performance appraisal? Really need help. Thanks!

[maxpuppy]

did you ever get your RN2? I need help... DM me please.

[Kristi Stocker]

Nurse I going for II, PACT RN & need examples for Collaboration and research! Please any help

[Louisvillian]

I need help with this also, please. Not only collaboration and research but examples in general. Can’t get higher than a satisfactory.

[nursy20, BSN, RN]

Submitting my Nurse 1 to 2 proficiency soon. Have been denied a few times before although I have several years of experience with a BSN.

Any assistance of examples from someone who has successfully managed this would be greatly appreciated.

Email [email protected].

Thank you!

[Alison Kirkpatrick RN]

Were you ever promoted?

[Jen3808, BSN, RN]

Hello! I am in the hiring process right now and I was Hopeful someone could share the Nurse 2 example so I can submit during the onboarding process. 
 I am a BSN nurse with 12 years of experience. I’m assuming Onboarding as Nurse 2 …? Step…???? this can be confusing for a newbie ?

thank you! 
jen 

@Alison Kirkpatrick RN