Summary

This is an open continuous announcement until September 29 - 2025. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time - you must update your application through your USAJobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12533082
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Experience: Med-Surg: 1 year of clinical RN experience ACLS certification Bachelor of Science in Nursing Prior Med/Surg - Telemetry experience preferred Demonstrates sound judgment - nursing process and critical thinking skills ICU: At least 1 year critical care experience Step Down: 1 year of clinical RN experience - ACLS certification Bachelor of Science in Nursing Demonstrates sound judgment - nursing process and critical thinking skills Prior Stepdown - Med/Surg - Telemetry experience preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The RN for will perform clinical duties as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services through the Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services/Acute Care - Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services/ Long Term Care - designated Associate Chief of Nursing Service and Head Nurse (or designee) The RN will demonstrate leadership when providing nursing care and serve as a role model when assigned as team leader or charge nurse under the supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee
• The Registered Nurse is responsible for managing and delivering care for complex patients care
• Duties include but are not limited to the following: Implements nursing orders in a timely and accurate manner for patients with complex nursing care needs
• Implements physician's orders in a timely and accurate manner - initiating resolution if impeded
• Includes patient/family/significant other/health care provider in establishing realistic - measurable goals related to health education and treatment plan - seeking assistance as needed
• Meets individual learning and discharge preparation needs by using appropriate resource personnel and approved educational materials
• Documents nursing process including patient/family/significant other education and discharge planning in a timely manner
• Assess/documents the patient's response to nursing intervention - anticipates potential changes in patient condition and response to treatment - initiating appropriate action and revising the care plan accordingly
• Updates assessments on a continuum by recognizing changes in patient's needs and reestablishing priorities for care
• Demonstrates competency/proficiency using the nursing process in providing care for patients with complex nursing care needs
• Guide and directs others who provide care
• Participates in established quality improvement studies and/or activities
• Conducts self-assessment of performance and identifies own learning needs
• Implements an ongoing educational plan to support own professional development
• Refers to - consults with - and makes provision for continuity of care with other health care providers
• Uses a body of research to validate and/or change own professional practice
• Delegates care in a safe - efficient - and cost-effective manner
• Assists patients in identifying and securing appropriate services
• All other duties dictated by patient care
• Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Various Schedules Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP: May be authorized for positions with prior approval as hard to fill/recruit
• Contact Robert Knudsen - Robert.Knudsen@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required