Working for Dept. of Veteran Affairs as an LPN/LVN

[allthatshines]

Hi! Any LVN's out there that work for VA? I'm in California and I have a huge interest in providing care for our veterans especially in Mental Health or just providing care for veterans in general. I have a few questions:

1. Do they hire new grad LVN's?

2. If they do hire us new grads, how long would I expect a call back after I have applied?

3. Is there a specific class, certification or extra workshops I can do to be on top of that application pile?

4. I'm about to drive 6 hrs to Sacramento to get a temporary license so I can start applying, any positive/negative thoughts on this?

From the bottom of my heart, I really want to get hired. I feel like it's a a first step in a career that I want as a future nurse in the military. I know it's a long road but it's my goal and I really want to do everything I can to achieve this goal. Any advice? Thank you!

[Ashxo]

Hello!

I will answer this is best I can, and will answer it assuming you are talking about State employment and not Federal, since the two are often confused.

1. Yes! They hire new grads.

2. Call back time depends if there is an open position, what the end of the filing date is (last date to turn in an application,) and how many applicants. Scores from the skills assessment test (mandatory assessment to be completed before applying) are considered too, the higher the better. (depends on how much experience you have, being a new grad you will not have much experience, meaning a lower score.)

3. In my experience those classes won't make a huge difference, your skills assessment score will matter more.

4. Since you posted this on the 18th I'm assuming you have already made that drive.

Hope this helps! Dept. of Veterans Affairs was the best organization I've ever worked for, good luck to you!

[didi768]

Worked my first LPN nursing job at the Minneapolis MN VA Hospital. Best experience and 7 weeks training ever. I worked there for 13 yrs. and now it does me no good as a reference because since moving to FL, I've only done on-call type pediatric home care. The VA will barely look at me now :-(