Registered Nurse-Medical, Surgical, Oncology, Telemetry (Inpatient/Acute Care C1_C2)

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2027. The initial cut off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 2 - 2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates every two (2) weeks - depending on the number of applicants. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled.

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/13090067
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
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Preferred Experience: One year of med/surg experience preferred
Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult - age 18 - to the elderly adult - age 65 and over
James H
Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JHQVAMC) is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility - serving medical - surgical - and neurological inpatients and outpatients
There is a large outpatient psychiatric population - with admissions for medical co-morbidities
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 - lifting 10 pounds or more and pushing
Transferring patients and objects may be required
The RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
The RN may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
The RN must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required for all clinically-active staff employed by JHQVAMC not identified for the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training.

Duties

The Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting
The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
Evaluates practice in an ongoing process - based on best evidence
Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team
Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes
Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
Shares educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers
Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care
Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based-practice culture
Work Schedule: Rotational - NIGHT SHIFT Functional Statements: 61461-F through 61465-F Pay Schedule NG42