why is the VA taking so long to hire you?

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Hey everyone. I was interviewed and offered a job at the VA at the beginning of October. I did all the things that they asked for me: physical exam, Vetpro, fingerprint and E-qip, all done in October. Until now, I haven't heard anything from them and it's already November. Is it really this long to get a job over there. Should I be worried at all? Should I keep looking for other jobs (I actually have two interviews coming up, one at the police/corrections and the other at a private hospital). I'm just trying to have some back up plan, just in case the VA thing did not work out. Any suggestions?

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I presently work at the D.c. Va. It does take a while, some people took up to 6 mths to get in the door here. For me I applied from Texas in July, and started Oct 14. You definately have to go down to the recruiters office and insist on an update. the Va is notorius for a long hiring process. Many of my friends gave up and took other jobs.

Call Hr, many times paper work gets lost, and i have worked at the Kc, Mo Va and the same problems there also.

Sorry

But, go in and stand and fight for what you want!

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I presently work at the D.c. Va. It does take a while, some people took up to 6 mths to get in the door here. For me I applied from Texas in July, and started Oct 14. You definately have to go down to the recruiters office and insist on an update. the Va is notorius for a long hiring process. Many of my friends gave up and took other jobs.

Call Hr, many times paper work gets lost, and i have worked at the Kc, Mo Va and the same problems there also.

Sorry

But, go in and stand and fight for what you want!

6 months? I dunno if I can wait that long. How do these people managed to recruit nurses? But I will definitely call their HR. I'm still gonna go for that 2 interviews though. Thanks.

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I know, and to answer your question they do have major issues with recruitment. Some Va's are better than others. But ask around, I'm sure many will agree it is a long process and most of it due to misplaced paper work.

The benefits are great, I must admit, and the pay. But, keep your options open. There is a culture here that times time getting use to also. The computer system is great, however, some of the attitudes are not, and the professionalism. But, if it is what you want many have toughed it out.

I wish you the best!

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

Hi....

The VA=Federal Government and as such will apply for a background check on all applicants. Since September 11th, however, background checks have been backlogged for 2 years. This means, among other things, that the completion of your application process will be prolonged.

But I would also agree that you should give the HR department and call and by all means, go on those other interviews!

athena

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Typically federal jobs require 6 months or so before you really recieve any feedback - unless you had a clear 'no go' disqualifier.... it's the nature of the beast. Everyone I know who applies to a fed job plans to do so while already working somewhere as they know it will take 'eons' to hear back.... hmm.. perhaps when the feds unionize their will be incentive to increase performance... rofl ;)

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Took 4.5 mos for me to get hired.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I applied for an RN position at the local VA and was offered the job. I was told it would "take a while", but because I had all of the required paperwork signed and submitted up front the process would be sped up alittle. The old adage for the government of "hurry up and wait" still applies :) I'm figuring Jan 2009, we'll see. Average length of time I see posted on here is atleast 3 months. Similar to the length of time for entering the military, I guess.

I look at it as anything worth having is worth waiting for. And honestly I think they test your commitment. Atleast that's the way I look at it and it makes the wait a lot easier, for me......... Just my :twocents: But when you don't have a job I realize it can be stressful.

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I actually tried to call HR/Nurse Recruitment but I would always get Voicemail. So I left a message and until now they haven't called me back yet. I am also worried that with the holidays coming (thanksgiving, then christmas), things are going to be delayed for me even more since most people go on vacation, especially government employees. I'm definitely toast.

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With the Va, you should NOT call. It is prudent to go there in person, and find out what level they are at with your paperwork.

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With the Va, you should NOT call. It is prudent to go there in person, and find out what level they are at with your paperwork.

Thanks. I was thinking of doing that too. But I don't want them to think that I'm this crazy person who can't even wait.

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should i keep looking for other jobs (i actually have two interviews coming up, one at the police/corrections and the other at a private hospital). i'm just trying to have some back up plan, just in case the va thing did not work out. any suggestions?

i agree with the other posters, you should continue with your other interviews. if you are really interested in the va position and obtained a conditional letter of employment , then i would try to seek part time or per diem positions until your appointment letter arrives from the va.

hey everyone. i was interviewed and offered a job at the va at the beginning of october. i did all the things that they asked for me: physical exam, vetpro, fingerprint and e-qip, all done in october. until now, i haven't heard anything from them and it's already november. is it really this long to get a job over there. should i be worried at all?

it looks like the va is aware of the cumbersome hiring process and is trying to do something about it as read in the gaod0917 article: october 2008--united states government accountability office

vamc nurse executives we surveyed and nursing officials we interviewed identified limitations in va's hiring process. nursing officials identified three areas of limitations--

1. delays in securing necessary approvals from medical center resource boards to fill rn vacancies.

2. poor coordination between nursing and hr officials involved in hiring.

3. shortage of experienced and well-trained hr officials.

collectively, these factors result in significant delays in filling rn vacancies...

va has authorized its medical centers to implement several changes recommended by the recruitment process redesign workgroup that studied recruitment and hiring at va.42 these recommendations may address some of the factors that contribute to delays in filling rn vacancies. according to va officials, these changes are designed to increase flexibility and efficiency without weakening the process of screening candidates' professional credentials. collectively, va's recent changes consist of ways to (1) complete applicant interviews and physical examinations on the same day, (2) make a job offer to an rn applicant within 30 days, (3) allow use of electronic education transcripts in lieu of paper transcripts sent through the mail, and (4) create additional hr positions to help meet va's future needs as its experienced hr officials retire....~obtained from pages 19-25~.

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