VAPA New Grad Program 2011

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Hey Everyone,

VA Palo Alto opened up their new grad program for Fall 2011. The have specific requirements for the cover letter and resume so make sure you read the requirements. It says they will start calling for interviews in the beginning of September. Good luck everyone

Does anybody else find it odd that they are hiring new grads in endoscopy? I was really hoping for ED to make it onto that list.

No openings in the ED. We recently hired a bunch of new nurses recently, most from other hospitals and with experience. As far as I know, they don't plan to hire anyone new since they don't have the positions alloted. Also, the versant new grad program is awesome. It really helps a new grad get comfortable to be on their own. That's where I started a few years ago.

PS: helps if your prior service since you have extra point preferences for hire. Definitely get certified in ACLS, PALS, and BLS to have an edge.

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No openings in the ED. We recently hired a bunch of new nurses recently, most from other hospitals and with experience. As far as I know, they don't plan to hire anyone new since they don't have the positions alloted. Also, the versant new grad program is awesome. It really helps a new grad get comfortable to be on their own. That's where I started a few years ago.

PS: helps if your prior service since you have extra point preferences for hire. Definitely get certified in ACLS, PALS, and BLS to have an edge.

You started in endoscopy? How was that? I had a few days there at another hospital and it didn't seem like it would provide the best learning experience for a student but maybe it's different at VAPA. I put IICU as my first choice. No prior service but I do have BLS and ACLS. I also have prior hospital experience, not in nursing though.

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You started in endoscopy? How was that? I had a few days there at another hospital and it didn't seem like it would provide the best learning experience for a student but maybe it's different at VAPA. I put IICU as my first choice. No prior service but I do have BLS and ACLS. I also have prior hospital experience, not in nursing though.

Nope, I ended up starting in the ED when they had openings. I know there are no positions right now but you never know what could happen. I have a friend who was offered a position in the ED although he was interviewed for another unit. I know prior experience counts for something, but I was referring to service in the military since the VA hires by scoring system. If you and a vet score close..lets say you 80 and him/her 76, they would add 5-10 points to the vet giving him/her 81-86..which gets him/her the job. Were you told that IICU had an opening? I believe they just posted for 3 positions for the II but they were not for the new grad program. With those positions...internal transfer may get priority, filling them quickly. As for endoscopy, not really sure how they work...don't get out of my hole often except to transfer patients. Good luck with your application.

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Nope, I ended up starting in the ED when they had openings. I know there are no positions right now but you never know what could happen. I have a friend who was offered a position in the ED although he was interviewed for another unit. I know prior experience counts for something, but I was referring to service in the military since the VA hires by scoring system. If you and a vet score close..lets say you 80 and him/her 76, they would add 5-10 points to the vet giving him/her 81-86..which gets him/her the job. Were you told that IICU had an opening? I believe they just posted for 3 positions for the II but they were not for the new grad program. With those positions...internal transfer may get priority, filling them quickly. As for endoscopy, not really sure how they work...don't get out of my hole often except to transfer patients. Good luck with your application.

Yes they are hiring in iicu for new grad program. New grad program listed iicu, med surg, spinal cord, endo, and Geri. Yeah I k ow about the service points. I have family that works in sci so that's off the table for me. Thanks so much for the info!

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Yes they are hiring in iicu for new grad program. New grad program listed iicu, med surg, spinal cord, endo, and Geri. Yeah I k ow about the service points. I have family that works in sci so that's off the table for me. Thanks so much for the info!

Well good luck with the II. It's an awesome unit with friendly staff that work well as a team.

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Does everyone's upload status say "uploaded, not retrieved"? Just wondering when they will start retrieving the uploads.

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Does everyone's upload status say "uploaded, not retrieved"? Just wondering when they will start retrieving the uploads.

yes...it will say uploaded and not retrieved even if they have. When you go to the application website, it would even say that they may not have received it even though it says processed. If your worried and want to be sure, you could always call the VA. HR is pretty helpful and should only take them a few minutes to look up your info.

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Does everyone's upload status say "uploaded, not retrieved"? Just wondering when they will start retrieving the uploads.

Nope, mine says uploaded and retrieved..

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Nope, mine says uploaded and retrieved..

When did you submit your app?

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Specializes in Pediatric Oncology/BMT.

Hey folks!

I applied to this program too -- don't have my license yet but took the NCLEX today (decided to apply anyways...we'll see if I get through). Good luck to all the hopefuls for the VAPA positions. :D

No calls for interviews yet, huh?

Anyone know about working conditions there? People keep telling me VA hospitals can be pretty bad...

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When did you submit your app?

The third day the app was open I submitted mine

and no they havent started calling yet for interviews.. I think they are going to start next week..or the week after

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The third day the app was open I submitted mine

and no they havent started calling yet for interviews.. I think they are going to start next week..or the week after

I know that the way the VA works is first they certify you, basically saying that you meet the minimum requirements for the job and you will get an email about that. Then they score you after you have been certified, and then based off of scoring and other factors, like cover letters, they forward certain apps to the hiring managers. I have several family members that work there, some high up who are involved in hiring processes (not for this position, or nursing for that matter) and they explained the process to me. They also said VAPA has a notoriously slow HR dept. so it may take a while to hear back from them. I have applied for other positions and it took me about 2 weeks to get my certification email.

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