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

[RN4KU]

I sent you what I had as a guide to get promoted i was a 2 step 2 with and MSN and was promoted to a 3 step 1

Hello!

I would greatly appreciate looking at a proficiency for a N3. I will complete my MSN this Spring and will re-submit an updated proficiency at that time. I really enjoy working with the Veterans, just not the VA System. I do not understand why it is so difficult for nurses to get promoted at the VA. I realize the local nursing board has their own opinions on what does or does not meet criteria. I am new to this forum and unable to PM you until I have completed a number of posts. Thanks!!

[RN4KU]

Sorry for the delay i emailed you what i used to get my promotion, its a little hard to read because of the way it copied.

Can you please email me [email protected] . What are the key words and where do you find them?

[RN4KU]

Following up, i lost track of anyone that need a Nurse 3 Prof that was successful for promotion, this was however in 2012.

[nj1212]

Hello, hoping you receive this. Would you be willing to send me the information and key words you used to become a Nurse 3. I am not in management but have been a charge nurse and a resource nurse and preceptor for over 22 years with a MSN, rehired at the VA as a N2,7 had to negotiate N2, 9 because I was not willing to take a pay cut. Considering going back to my previous employer for a better salary. [email protected] Thank you.

[AshleyNL]

Hey everyone, I have gotten to the part of the VA hiring process where I have to redo my resume for the Nursing Board to determine my salary. I have watched multiple youtube videos and have read tons of documents to try to get what they want to see on this resume. but I am still having a lot of trouble on how exactly to word this. If anyone has an example of a resume I could use or any other advise that would be GREATLY

appreciated.

[Trumi241]

After waiting 3 months for it to finally get there, my packet went before the board 3 weeks ago. I am still waiting for someone to sign off on their offer before it will be presented to me. I understand that if the offer is not satisfactory to me, I have to send the packet back for review again. This process has been very frustrating. It seems the only hold up is HR doing their part to get the packets off to the board for review. It only took 2 weeks after it was finished to pass through the board and now I am sitting impatiently waiting to know if the information I submitted was good enough to get me the Nurse 3 grade. Forget the fact that I have the education and nursing experience. This really sucks.

[Nicolejj]

Can you please email the Nurse 3 proficiency information as well nicjordan1212@ gmail.com.please and Thank you

[pfchang]

Even when you are a VA employee, it takes weeks and months to get decisions back from the board. It is a terrible process.

I encourage you to appeal if they lowball you. I wish I had known to do that.

[Trumi241]

I'm hoping it is a great offer. That is why the wait to find out is excruciating. If I send it back, it will be even longer. I hope to get on board to assist in streamlining this process. It is ridiculous.

[AshleyNL]

Trumi241 - Could I have a copy of the packet you sent in as well? Please.

[Trumi241]

AshleyNL what is your email. I can't send through Allnurses. I don't know if it worked, because I have not received an offer yet. You may want to wait on it.

[AshleyNL]

My email is [email protected] - thank you!!