Registered Nurse

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.Qualifications:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
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 Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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 achieve the level in their education in which they have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing and are registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. 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 appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree level Nursing education program. Note: In order to grant credit towards an appointment based on foreign nursing education higher than the associate degree level, formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency accepted by VA must be provided.
• 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.

Preferred Experience:
Medical Surgical Nurses 3A, 3B, 3C, 2A, 5E, 5B- 1-2 years RN experience preferred- unencumbered RN license
Oncology Nurses 4B- 1-2 years RN experience preferred- unencumbered RN license- Chemotherapy certification
ICU Nurses MICU, CCU and SICU- 1-2 years RN experience preferred- unencumbered RN license
Gerontology Nurses 1C, 1D, 2C, 2D, 4D- 1-2 years RN experience preferred- unencumbered RN license
Stepdown/IMU Nurses 3D, 5A- 1-2 years RN experience preferred- unencumbered RN license
Mental Health Nurses 6A, 6F, 6D- 1-2 years RN experience preferred- unencumbered RN license
Spinal Cord 1A, 1B- 1-2 years RN experience preferred- unencumbered RN license
Primary Care Nurses- 1-2 years RN experience preferred- unencumbered RN license
Emergency Room Nurses- 1-2 years RN experience preferred- unencumbered RN license
Community Based Out-Patient Clinics (CBOCs):-1-2 years of clinical RN experience

Grade Determinations: 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 - Education and Experience Requirement: A Diploma or Associate Degree (ADN) in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse I Level II - Education and Experience Requirement: A Diploma or ADN in Nursing and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse I, Level 1; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse I Level III - Education and Experience Requirement: A Diploma or ADN in Nursing and two years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Bachelor's degree in nursing and one year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no professional nursing experience; or a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - Education and Experience Requirement: Bachelor's degree in nursing and two years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR Master's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR Doctorate degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience.
• Nurse III - Education and Experience Requirement: Master's degree in nursing with two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Doctorate degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.
  • Dimension Requirement. Nurses at Nurse III must meet ALL the following dimension requirements to qualify for Nurse III.
    • i Practice. Demonstrates expertise in professional practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation and evaluation) with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.
    • ii Veteran/Patient Driven Care. Leads initiatives to improve Veteran/patient experience. Satisfaction and/or safety beyond the immediate practice setting.
    • iii Leadership. Communicates and collaborates as an effective leader of the interprofessional team, at the expert level, with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.
    • iv Professional Development. Enhances knowledge base and practice evaluation, at the expert level, with improved outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.
    • v Evidence Based Practice/Research. Leads the identification and integration of evidence-based practice/research with clinical expertise to improve quality of care and resource utilization at the expert level with improved outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.

Reference: VA Regulations, VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: Please see education section for Physical Requirements of position

Education:Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity (including depth perception), keen hearing (aide permitted), clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity in both hands. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (2-4 hours), standing (2-6 hours), stooping, sitting, bending, pulling (1-2 hours), and pushing (1-2 hours). lifting (>50 pounds), carrying (>50 pounds). 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 be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. 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. Must be able to work closely with others, as well as protracted or irregular hours of work. Must be compliance with the use of ergonomic exercises and employee safety requirements.Employment Type: FULL_TIME