Registered Nurse Transition to Practice

The Registered Nurse Transition to Practice (RNTTP) Program Resident focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction. The new graduate nurse brings principles and theory with limited application of critical thinking skills.

The Registered Nurse Transition to Practice (RNTTP) Program was developed to support post graduate registered nurses during the first year of practice in patient care areas within the facility. The post graduate registered nurse will participate in an orientation program under the guidance of a qualified preceptor. The RNTTP is expected to attended classes and activities as assigned complete assignments within the required timeframe be available to work as scheduled on assigned duties (shifts may be 12 hours 8 hours or a combination of both). Clinical experiences and didactic sessions are scheduled during the year to facilitate transition and achieve competency in key knowledge skills and responsibilities of a registered nurse.

General Description of Assigned Duties:
Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. Assesses plans implements and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education self-management and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.

PRACTICE: Knowledge of professional nursing practice and the ability to apply the nursing process (assessment diagnosis outcome identification planning implementation and evaluation) with close supervision. Expectations:
1. Completes orientation according to expected standards.
2. Works with close supervision is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and seeks direction from others as needed.

VETERAN/PATIENT DRIVEN CARE: Knowledge of Veteran/patient driven care patient experience satisfaction and safety.
Expectations:
1. Establishes a therapeutic relationship allowing the patient to attain maintain or regain optimal function through assessment and treatment.
2. Engages patients families and other caregivers to incorporate knowledge values and beliefs into care planning without judgement or discrimination.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Incorporates educational resources/opportunities and self-evaluation for professional growth. Expectations:
1. Participates in unit based educational activities and continuing education requirements.
2. Responsible for maintaining competency to continue personal and professional growth.

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE/RESEARCH: Awareness of evidence-based practice/research to improve quality of care and resource utilization. Expectations:
1. Applies evidence-based practice/research to patient care.
2. Participates in unit-based activities to improve and deliver cost effective patient care.

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

Work Schedule: This Position supports 24/7 operations throughout the calendar year. Work is typically performed on assigned shift; however candidate may be subject to overtime work shift work and/or work on rotating shifts to include evenings nights weekends and holidays. Work week will vary but will include nights/days/evenings with assigned preceptor.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

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 masters level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelors 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.)