Additional Guidelines for RNs VA hires more RNs each year than any other health care occupation. The more RN applicants understand about the hiring process, the more smoothly the process will run. If you're applying for an RN position, read these additional tips.

All agencies, public or private, have their own unique hiring processes. Even within VA, those processes can vary slightly from one health care facility to the next. However, understanding the basic structure of VA hiring procedures will help you navigate the process more efficiently and quickly.

The following information is for individuals applying to VA for health care positions. If you are applying for an administration, support, engineering, or trade position, you can find hiring process tips at www.va.gov/JOBS/hiring_process.asp, or read a list of frequently asked questions in the Resources section of this site.

Before you apply
The application
The interview
Once you're selected

Before you apply ...
Be sure you qualify for the position. To find out, ask yourself the following questions:

Do I meet VA's Basic Qualification Standards?

• U.S. citizen
• Graduate of an approved/accredited program, if education is required for the position
• Current full, active, and unrestricted professional license from any State, Commonwealth, or Territory (e.g., Puerto Rico) of the United States or from the District of Columbia
• English language competency

Do I meet VA's qualification standards for my profession?

• You can learn what the general requirements for your profession are by reading the occupation description for your profession.
• You can learn specific requirements for an open position by carefully reviewing the posted job announcement or by calling the recruitment specialist listed on the announcement.

The application ...
The job announcement will tell you which VA application to complete and any other forms that must be submitted. (Pay careful attention to these additional form requirements if you are a Federal employee requesting a transfer/reassignment or if you are a veteran seeking Veterans Preference.)

At this time, the application and other forms must be downloaded, printed, and mailed to the address listed at the end of the job announcement.

Here are a few important tips to remember when completing your application:

• Write the job announcement number, found at the end of the announcement, on your application.
• VA applications ask for various types of information that may be on your resume (e.g., previous employers, professional education information, etc.). Do NOT write "see resume" in the space provided. While resumes are accepted, you must provide the information on the actual application. This is because the form requires you to sign and attest to the information's accuracy, whereas your resume does not.
• As simple as it may seem, be sure to fill out the application in its entirety. Review every field to ensure you haven't forgotten a step.
• Be sure to supply the full address for each of your references, not just a telephone number.
• Don't forget to sign and date BOTH the last page of the application and the Release of Information authorization form, which is located after the application.
• Make a photocopy of your completed application and all other forms before mailing. This will be important later if you are selected for the position.

Failure to do any of the above can slow down your application at best, or disqualify you from consideration at worst.

The interview ...

When you receive a call to schedule an interview, make a note of any documentation that you are required to bring. This varies from one facility to the next, but the following is a list of common documentation requests:

• Your current professional state license, not a Xerox copy
• Photo identification and Social Security card
• School transcripts (mailed directly from the school to the recruiter)
• Written references from supervisors (letters from clinical instructors if you are a new graduate)
• Copies of your resume
• Copies of current certifications
• Copies of continuing education certificates
• Copies of performance evaluations
• Copies of awards, honors, or commendations

You may consider bringing the above documentation even if certain items are not required. In most cases, starting salaries are determined by a Professional Standards Board, which is a board of your peers that reviews the documents you submit to determine your level of practice. Additional documentation, therefore, may have a positive impact on your salary determination.

Once you're selected ...
Once a contingent job offer has been made and you accept, you'll need to do the following prior to your start date:

1. Pass a physical and a drug test (if randomly selected). This appointment is scheduled for you and will take place at a VA facility at no cost to you.
2. Enroll in VetPro, the VA's Web-based credentialing system, and enter the required information. This step must be completed prior to receiving an official start date.
3. Have your fingerprints taken (for a background check) prior to your start date. This will take place at the VA facility where you've been hired, or you'll be given instructions if an alternative fingerprint location is required.
4. Order your official college transcript(s), to be mailed directly to the facility.
5. Complete several new hire documents and submit them to the Human Resources Management Office.

An additional note about VetPro
As soon as you are selected for the position, you will be enrolled in VetPro, VA's credentialing system for all licensed health care personnel. Once enrolled, you have a limited time to log into the Web-based system and input the required information.

Some of the requested information is the same as on your original application, so having a photocopy of your application to use as a guide is important.

• Make sure the information you enter into VetPro is the same as on your application (e.g., dates of employment, employer addresses, etc.).
• Be sure to provide the same references in VetPro that you supplied on your application.

Download this VetPro guide for more helpful hints to follow while completing the online credentialing process.