VA Proficiency Nurse III Frustration & Appeal

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I am feeling frustrated with the entire VA NPSB proficiency process. At my hospital, it is a good old boys system in which board members promote their friends and the other managers and shut the door on others. I am a staff RN with a MSN and years of experience. I applied for my nurse III after completing a hospital wide project and doing other work that met the 9 dimensions.

This whole process has me frustrated beyond words. My profIciency has been lost by HR multiple times. My initial NPSB review said I didnt meet 7 of the 9 dimensions. Before submitting my proficiency, I had it reviewed by 3 former board members who all said I would meet for a 3. I submitted a request for reconsideration after the initial denial, and suddenly I met 6 out of 9 dimensions. I am now appealing my denial to VACO. Has anyone ever done this? What was he outcome, and how long did your appeal take to be answered after it was sent off?

I have been repeatedly been told by my own manager "you cannot get a 3 without working in management" and "it takes multiple submissions to get approved". I do not think this is correct. It may be harder to find the time and get approval for a project, but staff RNs cannot be essentially "blocked" from promotion. The dimensions are black and white, yet a subjective system is used to approve or deny proficiencies. It seems so unfair at my hospital. I've seen other nurses get promoted who were friends with board members, while other truly deserving RNs who meet the dimensions and make lasting changed within the hospital are shut out.

Any guidance and other nurses experience with this would be greatly appreciated. I love working with our Vets, but the good old boys club and the oppressive bureaucracy had me ready to bash my face into something. I feel defeated. Thanks all

I feel like there are a lot of us in the same boat. I've been a manager on hospice, an asst manager on a rehab/med-surg unit, a specialty clinic nurse, and now PACT RN. I'm going to guess that it's how I'm writing it, not so much experience, but who knows at this point. If anyone is willing to share their success, I would be very grateful. Email is [email protected] Thanks in advance to all who are willing to help!!

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Im also interested , if you could please send it to me at [email protected]. Thanks in advance

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How do I DM Damdaz for a copy of Nurse III Proficiency? Would appreciate the assistance. Will provide my email address again if someone has received it and could forward to me, please. [email protected]

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@nurse4life81 if you can kindly send it to [email protected]. I appreciate your help and time.

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Specializes in Utilization Review.

At this point I apologize I am not able to keep up with all the requests and I am fearful any retaliation I may face. Anyone is welcome to share what they have and assist, I receive 10-20 requests daily and I no longer feel comfortable, I cant put my job at risk at this time.

Good luck to everyone, again I am sorry I really tried to help.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, RESEARCH, REHAB, HOME HEALTH, QUALITY.

I do not have a proficiency to share, but give examples for the areas of practice, research, quality etc, address the outcome for every goal you stated you have accomplished.

Some VA's will not promote to nurse III without a MSN.. the VA is very education driven. There are 150 hospitals through the country I suggest you move around, that is the best way to move up in the organization.. Just speaking from experience, especially if your goal is to become a nurse executive or chief nurse.. Also sign up for any leadership classes the VA maybe offering. .. The use to have many but these days who knows..

Good Luck!!

Adding questions from a KASO I used to apply for several jobs at the VA..

«KSA02» Knowledge of, and the ability to interpret and apply, laws and regulations, and policies (including those of accrediting bodies) in order to ensure compliance
As the compliance nurse for research I have the knowledge and ability to interpret regulations and policy from the Federal Drug Administration, (FDA), Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Research and Development Committee.

This was accomplished by the following task:

Prior to auditing I created a procedure manual for creating and maintaining research records, and this has enhanced the audit process tremendously, because all the records are consistent.

I researched and collaborated with other research services within the .......attended workshops to assist me in finding the correct tool to audit research protocol here at the ,,, VAMC .

I created a detailed web based research 101 course to assist those in research at the ..., with the interpretation of regulations, laws and policies to ensure compliance.

I also developed a classroom version of the web based research 101 course for research staff.

I audit research protocols to ensure regulations are followed and assist the coordinators in interpreting those regulations and laws. As a result of these audits, documentation of the consent process has increased by 98%.

I am also am member of the IRB for the.... as well as a former member of .... IRB. As a member of that board, my role is to review clinical research protocols and all research activities that may occur. This includes institutional regulations, laws, standards or professional conduct and practice. Protocols have been tabled if patient safety issues arise, and I recommended that in cases where the research was not clearly defined.

In my role as Nurse Manager for Surgical Intensive Care (SICU), clinical knowledge as well as knowledge of VA policy and procedure was essential to ensure effective leadership of the unit, and supporting the staff in the day to day activities of the SICU. This is critical when reviewing schedules to staff a busy SICU for 24 hour coverage.

I also have served as a consultant representing the ..... in a research consortium that involves research coordinators through the Medical Center that provide education topics related to Federal guidelines in research.

«KSA03»Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with individuals to diverse back grounds

As a compliance nurse in research in the ...., I interact with the research staff which is a diverse population within the facility.

I perform the following task, and conduct numerous training classes for the research staff formally and informally on topics related to research on :

  • Informed consent
  • Documentation
  • Ethics
  • Adverse Events
  • Amendments
  • Protocol Deviation

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11 hours ago, RN4KU said:

At this point I apologize I am not able to keep up with all the requests and I am fearful any retaliation I may face. Anyone is welcome to share what they have and assist, I receive 10-20 requests daily and I no longer feel comfortable, I cant put my job at risk at this time.

Good luck to everyone, again I am sorry I really tried to help.

Cant say as i blame you! What gets me is that i got zero replies to any of my questions (which by now are moot) yet dozens of people piped up when they wanted something

It was very kind of you to offer and share with so many

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On 4/24/2019 at 11:36 AM, nurse4life81 said:

Sent

Please send copy of Nurse III proficiency: [email protected].

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Specializes in med-surg, emergency, and geriatrics.

RN4KU or anyone that can help me. I would really appreciate if you could give me some guidance on obtaining my Nurse 3. I have been with the VA for many years and have not been able to move forward due to many of the statements that have been posted. If you are able to send the information to me my email is [email protected]. With that being said, it is very sad that many hard working devoted nurses are being so unfairly treated. Thank you in advance.

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Just starting at the VA, I have 15 years of experience, BSN, MSN

Any suggestions/example on the proficiency?

[email protected]

Thank you so much!

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2 hours ago, Dunn625 said:

Just starting at the VA, I have 15 years of experience, BSN, MSN

Any suggestions/example on the proficiency?

[email protected]

Thank you so much!

Copied from another poster:

The main thing for nurse 3 is to have a different example for each domain and everything must include: the problem, intervention, outcome, sustainability. All of these must be at the program ororganizational level. It must be outside of your unit.

I think you are new to the VA so be sure to ask for the N3 clinical pathway example that is relavent to the position you have selected.

On 4/19/2019 at 12:35 PM, Tneo8385 said:
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Specializes in ICU.

Whom do ask for this pathway?

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