VA valor program

besnli · Apr 27, 2016

I have a 3.4 gpa in my first semester of nursing school. Minimum requirements were a B or greater in any nursing course, which I achieved. I am in a two year basic baccalaureate program and am finishing up my junior year. Prior to this I have a 3.9 gpa on my prerequisites which consisted of 57 credits. I have two letters of recommendation one from my assistant dean of the nursing school. I interviewed as well. In total their were 12 applicants for two positions. I know many of the applicants and we were all qualified. However, I was the only veteran. I am upset because I really enjoy working with veterans and feel as if I have alot to offer. I have had a two different clinicals working with veterans. One at the Northport Va doing psych clinicals and the other working at the Long Island State Veterans home doing fundamentals clinicals. I don't feel that as if I should be guaranteed the position but I do fell as if I deserve priortiy if I meet the criteria. I appreciate your support and value your advice.

Zibbie · Apr 28, 2016

Hmm... ya I would call. Assuming you did not completely blow your interview, your recommendations or references did not give negative reviews, and they are not federal employees something sounds off from this basic picture here. That being said I obviously do not know enough specifics about the others, you, the announcement... etc., and I do not work in HR. I would call though. There should be a specific individual with intimate knowledge of this announcement able to give you some sort of justification even if they did not list an individual, someone posted it and has been in contact with the department recieving the student. I would keep trying until you can speak to that precise individual unless there is another HR person who will take the time to give specifics and not just general typically this... typically that... information. Remember more flies with honey than vinegar even though HR can be frustrating.

besnli · Apr 28, 2016

I am a veteran with points I served during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. I currently applied for disability, which will give me and additional points. I might try to talk to the director as the person in HR was the one who interviewed me. One of my classmates turned down the position. I think if I was not one of the two original chosen, I should of at least be considered for the next available opening.

future_RN17 · Apr 28, 2016

I am a disabled vet and served for 8 years in the Air Force as a medic. I was chosen as one of the 8 VALORS for my VA hospital out of almost 40 that applied. I have an extensive background in healthcare and interview well. They advised us veterans don't have preference in Valor interviews. It's all about how you answer the questions; we had a lot of situational and critical thinking questions, if you don't have much healthcare experience or aren't very quick thinking with these type of questions you may not have been chosen because you didn't have what they were looking for. Typically VALORS are considered the "best of the best" and they are very picky. To be chosen over someone soley because you are a veteran is not really what the program is about. It's nice to be a veteran and work at the VA but you can always use your preference once you graduate to become a nurse there also.

Zibbie · Apr 28, 2016

Good to know. Since Valors are employed (not permanent) does it go towards time and TSP? And I would hope that would be in the announcement, stating peference rules do not apply. Thanks for the clarification!

besnli · Apr 29, 2016

So I do not have much healthcare experience, however the candidates they choose did not have alot of experience as well. I have a ton of life experience graduating from a 6 years apprenticeship as a union electrician. Consisting of over 2000 classroom hours and 10000 hours on the job training. Additionally, one critical thinking question was in nursing is a rapid changing environment how would you deal in this situation. Well who knows better about changing environments that men and women who go to war. I had to transition from my primary mos as a heavy combat engineer to fighting and guarding the front lines of the perimeter. Communication and teamwork to accomplish a task to ensure that safety is a priority. Another dealt with dealing with a customer, I have been a foreman on several projects, so I have experience working with customers to ensure not only the safety and integrity of the installation but the safety of the men who worked for me. Planning, working with customers is a integral part of what I did on a daily basis as events and access to areas of the project were not always available. Furthermore, transitioning from military life to being a civilian is a big adjustment. Our veterans deserve every opportunity to succeed as we have made a huge commitment to our country. The VA is not known to offer the best healthcare to begin with, as I know first hand I have been going to this particular VA for 10 years. Felons and drug addicts who get out of jail get better access to healthcare through medicaid. So being picky should start with the best healthcare to veterans, which is not what the VA is about if you ever received treatment their.

besnli · Apr 29, 2016

I am grateful for the free healthcare I receive at the VA. I would not expect to get a prestigious position as a VALOR student than someone like yourself. You have a tremendous amount of experience that can not be overlooked. One of the candidates who turned down the position had experience equal to yours. I was very satisfied with the students they choose, as I know both them to be very bright, well rounded and have more experience than I. I was satisfied they made the best choose for the VA system. However, when the position was turned down I also know the replacement student. I do not hold any grudge against her but she is not as qualified as some of the other students who applied for the position. As a matter of fact she probably is one of the least rounded students in my nursing cohort.