Registered Nurse

This announcement may be used to fill various positions. You must choose which duty location and department you wish to be considered for. You may select multiple duty locations and departments but you must select at least one when you apply. You will be considered for the duty location(s)/department(s) that you select when you apply.

Note: There may not be any current vacancies at the time of this announcement however applicants may be considered for future vacancies that become available until the announcement closes.

Some positions may be eligible for 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. Program Approval award amount (up to $200000) 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. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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 physicians 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 patients 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 patients 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.

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

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 work schedules available. Some positions may require rotating call coverage weekdays nights weekends and/or holidays. The supervisor will determine the actual work schedule (FT PT Intermittent & the specific work shift) upon selection based on the needs of the organization.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized for certain positions: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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 evaluation/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.

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.)

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: I Level IDelivers 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 IIDemonstrates 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 IIIDemonstrates 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 Masters degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Masters degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.Nurse IIDemonstrates 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 Masters 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 IIIExecutes 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 Masters 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit 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.