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

[MonChaton!1984]

Hi RN4KU! I am also at a CPAC and I hear you! It was so easy before CPAC rolled out nationwide to get a promotion. Perhaps not the 1st time but at least the 2nd or 3rd. Now it is impossible. Would you mind sending me what info you have on this level 3 promotion. the nurses at my cpas are so frustrated and i want to do everything to help them. thank you!

[MonChaton!1984]

this sounds so much like my CPAC. I am here searching responses because of my frustration with the nurse board system at my cPAC.

[MonChaton!1984]

there has been talk about that but nothing has transpired on this over on the east coast. You may be a test site. At this time, August 2017 , CPAC is still using VACO for their nursing boards. Not that they do anything but deny promotions.

[ukbsktbll]

I definitely understand the frustration. I will be once again writing for my Nurse III. I feel pretty confident this time. I have completed two projects that effect multiple units as well as both VAs in my area. I have been very involved as well. I feel my proficiency addresses all of the standards. I have read other staffs proficiency that are very limited but have received Nurse III. Also at my VA we write our own. I know a lot of people who really add a ton of fluff some far from the truth. If anyone has a proficiency that would be a good example for getting a Nurse III I would be very interested. Thanks

[Trumi241]

I want to thank RN4KU for the assistance with my proficiency and PFCHANG for the feedback. I got Nurse 3 woohoo! I think it helped that I was not in the system already, so my application considered on that basis. I'm an MSN in informatics with a post master's in nursing education and 14 years nursing experience. I'm very happy with the pay. Now as far as the VA system itself, there are a lot negative Nancys I'm going to have to ignore on a daily basis. People are quitting left and right because of other people. I will only be a floor nurse, but I hope to change that. Thanks again. Good Luck everyone.

[RN4KU]

congrats great to hear!!

I want to thank RN4KU for the assistance with my proficiency and PFCHANG for the feedback. I got Nurse 3 woohoo! I think it helped that I was not in the system already, so my application considered on that basis. I'm an MSN in informatics with a post master's in nursing education and 14 years nursing experience. I'm very happy with the pay. Now as far as the VA system itself, there are a lot negative Nancys I'm going to have to ignore on a daily basis. People are quitting left and right because of other people. I will only be a floor nurse, but I hope to change that. Thanks again. Good Luck everyone.

[damdaz]

Thanks for your comments on Nurse 3 promotions....is it possible that I can also have a copy of your Proficiency....Mines is due in September....any help is appreciated.

[damdaz]

Can I please have a copy of your Proficiency report...mines is due in September.....any help is appreciated....\

[damdaz]

Hi, can I please have a copy? I am going up in September.

[pfchang]

I am really, really happy for you! Congratulations!

[damdaz]

Did you get any copies of proficiencies? If so, would you please share them....I am going up in September.

[CARN72]

Hello RN4KU! I am also very frustrated with the NPSB process and work for the WCPAC in UR. If you have any recommendations on how to get promoted to Nurse III, I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks!