VA Proficiency Nurse III Frustration & Appeal

[Sarah918]

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

[SueB.]

VA Proficiency 2021 Susan Bucino MSN RN CCRN Promoted Nurse 3 Step 11 Hi,

Thank you, but I was promoted last year from Nurse2/Step 12 to a Nurse 3/Step 11. Last month my proficiency gave me the opportunity to move a step, now at my max step Nurse 3/ Step 12.

  The attached proficiency was accepted when I was promoted from Nurse 2/ Step 12. The VA jumped me to Nurse 3/Step11, now 1 year later I received a step increase to max my steps at Nurse 3/Step 12.

[Makkora]

Can you send me a copy of your nurse 3 proficiency report paper. I am trying to get. It is very hard to get in my place.

[SueB.]

This is the proficiency which finally got me promoted to Nurse3/Step 11, after 5 years stuck at Nurse 2/12. I recently elevated to Nurse 3/Step 12 as I was also due for a step increase. So in 1 year from a 2/12 to 3/11 to 3/12. Now at max. Good Luck,

 Sue

VA Proficiency 2021 Susan Bucino MSN RN CCRN Promoted Nurse 3 Step 11.docx

[Clarisa]

Hello, 

I had the NOVA look at my proficiency for nurse III, and they even rewrote it. I submitted and was denied, saying I only met the education. I am a cervical cancer screening coordinator and run the program independently. I have gone above and beyond to improve my program. I was told that my proficiency reads as if what I wrote is part of my job. I sent it to VACO, and they took away my education and said that I did not meet any dimension. I am so discouraged. My next eval is due this year in may. If anyone is willing to help me write so it makes it through please contact me at [email protected]. 

[SueB.]

I am so sorry to hear this, but I am never surprised. When writing for a Nurse 3 always remember you must always think in terms of making changes within the medical center, clinics, VISN, or National through implementation of your plan. Each of the dimensions must show what you did, how it was measured (using ratios, graph's, changes in %). 

    Each dimension must include :

1. identification of a problem 2. make a plan/act to intervene   to correct the problem/issue 3.explain the outcome from your intervention using specific measurement tools to justify how it was changed.

    The changes that you implement can be an ongoing process with very specific time lines.

  I will attach my proficiency which promoted me from Nurse 2/Step12 (where I had stayed for 5 years) to Nurse 3/Step11. Two months ago I received my Nurse3/Step12.

  Good luck!!

 

VA Proficiency 2021 Susan Bucino MSN RN CCRN Promoted Nurse 3 Step 11 (1).docx

[Kmcf46, BSN]

RN

NP4dnp21 said:

RN4KU,
I would appreciate it if you send me a copy of your of your proficiency that got you promoted to Nurse 3. 

RN4KU, I work for the NCCPAC and would love to see a copy of your proficiency. It's very difficult to write for this position as it is not direct patient care. Please send to [email protected]. Thank you!

[SueB.]

Writing the proficiency doesn't have to be about patient care. It is about identifying an issue/ problem, making a plan to make changes which will impact the entire medical center, VISN, or can be utilized nationally, the outcomes must be explained using how you measured the change.

VA Proficiency 2021 Susan Bucino MSN RN CCRN Promoted Nurse 3 Step 11 (1) (1).docx

[JPN17, BSN, MSN, RN]

I can email you a copy of an excepted proficiency. Send me your personal email. 

[Jen3808, BSN, RN]

Hello do you mind sharing with me? 
I would truly appreciate this.

my email is [email protected]

[POltmann14]

[email protected].  Thank you!  I actually am transitioning to a new role with SPS and RME coordination.  I saw your experience above. 

[victoriajonesrn]

Please email me as well at [email protected]. Thank you!

[VE2023]

JPN17 said:

I can email you a copy of an excepted proficiency. Send me your personal email. 

Yes please: [email protected]

Thank you so much