why is the VA taking so long to hire you?

Anouk345 · Nov 21, 2008

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?

The hiring process at the VA is long and complicated that is why many nurses just give up and work somewhere else. They usually ask you a lot of paper works including 3 letters of recommendation (one from your CURRENT supervisor), which could be very difficult to get especially if you don't want your current boss to find out that you're looking for a job.

This is also the reason why the floors are always understaffed and nurses are face by dangerously high patient ratio. The benefits at the VA are good, but not that good. Also, if you have an ASN, you get paid less than with a BSN. Many private hospitals pay you about the same regardless of your education (so you may wanna consider that in your decision). Finally, you should definitely go for those 2 other interviews. I hope that helps.

SeychelleRN · Nov 25, 2008

:watherthunderstormc

The hiring process at the VA is long and complicated that is why many nurses just give up and work somewhere else. They usually ask you a lot of paper works including 3 letters of recommendation (one from your CURRENT supervisor), which could be very difficult to get especially if you don't want your current boss to find out that you're looking for a job.

I agree.

pattyrn376 · Nov 25, 2008

one thing to remember is that , the recruiter gets 5 weeks of vacation (like the rest of us RN's) and you cant access your email unless you are on campus. I stayed on my recruiters case (politely) about 2-3 times a week, she was on vaca and she called me a couple weeks later after getting the 5-6 messages, she knew I was serious, and a few days later I got the offer, applied in feb 2006, and interviewed several times in feb and march, got the offer on march 23rd and started work may 1 2006, this is before the vet pro, it might be a little different now. you dont want your app to get put on a back burner because they thought you were not interested.

Aviationurse · Nov 25, 2008

i interviewed in october 20 and gave my complete application packet on oct. 23 at personnel dept....called the nurse manager in unit that interviewed me but no response...it is already nov. 25...i have not heard anything.....should i go to human resource in person and ask about the status of application? i am doing home health and applying in private hospitals . is it true that it takes x one year to get hooked up at va? my former nurse manager just laughed when i called her for reference ...she said "they can get my reference...that is if you can get in" and laughed...gee ...how supportive..i have x15 years experience plus bsn...sure feel like a loser... :banghead:

pattyrn376 · Nov 25, 2008

do what I did above, you have to stay with it, it does not take a year, I had the date above I think. Call the recruiter to find out what is going on, it is not fair to you to not give you any response.

Aviationurse · Nov 25, 2008

is it normal that they dont call back or dont want to be bothered.....since it is the holiday...i guess most nurse recruiters are out of town or on serious vacation trips...i am also a foreign /asian grad and also older (45 years old) ...so does that count against me? i have 20x years professional experience counting my RN training in UK and in philippines...i feel sad and discouraged.... :confused:

Anouk345 · Nov 25, 2008

i heard that if you have a lot of experience as a nurse, it takes a lot longer for the VA to hire you. the va has to verify each employer that you put in your application. sometimes they can't contact your employer (or your employer does not respond back on time) and that delays your application even more. just a heads up.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Nov 28, 2008

On the postings for the VA I have seen they require a RN to be a US citizen. If you are not a citizen that maybe the reason. It takes our students up to a month to get clearance for clinicals so it is probably much longer to be employed.

Aviationurse · Nov 28, 2008

i am a us citizen last 8 years though...anyway, thanks for posting..... happy thanksgiving....

SeychelleRN · Nov 28, 2008

i am a us citizen last 8 years though

:ancong!:

arabella205 · Dec 6, 2008

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?

Any updates?

arabella205 · Dec 6, 2008

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.

you should go there in person, trust me.