Registered Nurse Transition To Practice/New Graduate Program

The Eastern Colorado Health System Veteran's Administration is seeking 15 Nursing program graduates and Registered Nurses to participate in a residency program. The VHA Registered Nurse Transition to Practice Program (RNTTP) strives to support individuals in their first nursing role and/or have less than one-year experience who have graduated from a pre-licensure nursing program accredited by the U.S Department of Education.

The 12-month program consists of a series of learning lessons, and work experiences, focused on direct patient care. This nurse residency program promotes and supports an enhanced orientation to assist in transitioning entry-level nurses to competent professional nurses, defined by Benner's "Novice to Expert" theory. The residency includes diverse content, clinical experience, and a peer support network providing the opportunity to refine nursing skills, enhance knowledge, and develop relationships as a new Nurse Transitioning into professional nursing. The program is directed by the RNTTP director who will facilitate the program and serve as valuable resource for the new RN, enhancing the traditional preceptor model.

The program design and content are guided by:

• VHA Directive 2011-039, VHA Registered Nurses (RN) Transition-To-Practice Program, November 23, 2011.
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education's (CCNE) Standards for Accreditation of Entry to Practice Nurse Residency Programs (CCNE, 2021) Patricia Benner's theory of "Novice to Expert" ( 1984)

Transition to Practice Nurses are expected to:

• Begin employment for the Spring 2024 Cohort on March 24, 2024
• Have an active, non-restricted RN license two weeks prior to the start date (March 8, 2024)
• Attend classes and activities as assigned
• Complete assignments within the required timeframe
• Be available to work as scheduled on assigned units. Shifts may be 12 hours, 8 hours or a combination of both
• Hospital Orientation and CNO (Central Nursing Orientation) are scheduled during regular daytime business hours at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. Initial Nursing Unit Orientation occurs during the scheduled work shifts of the unit preceptors. Upon completion of orientation, work shifts are scheduled according to unit needs in fulfilling the mission of caring for America's veterans. Successful candidates must have the flexibility to work a variety of shifts as assigned, to include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Must be able to start this full-time position on or before the specified start date

Selected candidates holding a diploma or Associate degree will affirm their commitment to pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Participants who successfully complete the program requirements will be presented with a certificate of completion at our annual graduation celebration.

Work Schedule:

• Must be available to work all shifts, including weekends and holidays
• Be available to work as scheduled on assigned units (Shifts may be 12 hours, 8 hours, or a combination of both)
• Work week will vary, but includes weekdays, weekends and holidays
• Shifts vary, but will include nights/days/evenings

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total RewardsRequirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Grade Determinations: (This position is designated for a "Nurse I" grade only) The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:

Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.

Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.

Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.

Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.

Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs.);Straight Pulling (up to 2 hours); Pushing (up to 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Both legs required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 2 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16";Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and 20/100 in the other; Good distance Vision; Depth Perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted).Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

English Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve indirect patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing.
-OR -
The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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.

RN, Transition to Practice Program: Degree for initial entry to practice professional nursing should be conferred within one year of the entry of duty (EOD/start date),2024 Spring Start Date is March 24, 2024 - must graduate between March 2023 and March 2024
License/Registration Requirement: A Registered Nurse appointed to a position within the Veterans Affairs must possess a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia.

License - RN Transition To Practice: In order to be considered eligible for the position of RN Transition to Practice, you must have a current, full, active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia You must have a RN license two weeks prior to the start date (March 8, 2024).To qualify for RN, Transition to Practice, you must meet the following criteria: Must graduate within one year of the program start date (between March 2023 and March 2024)
Must have RN license two weeks prior to start date (March 8, 2024)
No previous RN experience

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $83,000.00 - $110,463.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Medical specialties:

• Critical & Intensive Care
• Emergency Medicine
• Geriatrics
• Medical-Surgical
• Oncology
• Wound Care

Physical setting:

• Acute care
• Clinic
• Hospital
• Inpatient
• Long term care
• Outpatient

Standard shift:

• Day shift

Supplemental schedule:

• Overtime

Weekly schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Rotating weekends
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person