VA Nursing and Interviews

[rumwynnieRN]

I applied to one of the VA hospitals in the area, and I got a call this morning for an interview next Wednesday. I've been looking around for what to expect for the PBIs, and I'm beginning to get a little nervous. How do you prepare for these interviews? Even if I do well on the interviews, should I expect a long wait (meaning months) before I hear anything back? I've had clinical at the VA, and I know things can go very slow.

Besides the interviews, I'm curious also about the overall nursing culture at the VA. There was a time, a few years ago, that the VA in the area I'm from wasn't where people wanted to work, and that the nurses and aides are terrible. When I actually had clinical there, I liked it.

Another thing I've been thinking about is the scenario where my boyfriend gets PCSed, and to anywhere in the continental US. Assuming I get the job at the VA and spend 3-4 years there, what's the likelihood of getting to work at some of the hospitals overseas?

[BunnyBunny]

congrats...it took two months from the day I applied to my first day of orientation. I was told my application was expedited. I was only asked 4 pbi questions....I was so nervous the day before but you really have to relax. I usually start of with a joke to calm myself down.

[rumwynnieRN]

I was interviewed last week (I guess they need people?), and I was told it could take as long as 2-3 weeks for a job offer or a no. I was really surprised with how fast they got back to me with my application for an interview so maybe they'll be "fast" with the yes or no.

Before the job offer, how did you think you did during the interview? I feel like I did when I think I did okay on tests in nursing school, but I don't want to say how I did because I'm afraid I'll jinx it :X.