Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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/13084192
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years direct patient care experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction
• This position involves considerable standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting and turning
• It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers
• Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients
• The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
• The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care
• The positions requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients.

Duties

• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available
• The first group of eligible applicants will be referred to the hiring manager on 10/27/2026 - and bi-weekly thereafter
• Applications will remain on file until 08/25/2027
• The Community Living Center (CLC) Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex resident care
• Duties and responsibilities included - but are not limited to - the following: Assessing residents: Perform comprehensive and ongoing nursing assessments
• identify changes in condition - risks - functional needs - and care priorities
• Developing and updating care plans: Create individualized - person-centered plans of care with residents - families - providers - and the interdisciplinary team
• Providing and coordinating care: Deliver skilled nursing care - administer medications and treatments - manage wounds - monitor chronic conditions - and coordinate services across disciplines and care settings
• Recognizing and responding to changes in condition: Monitor for deterioration - initiate appropriate interventions - notify providers - and arrange urgent evaluation or transfer when indicated
• Medication management: Administer medications safely - evaluate effectiveness and adverse effects - reconcile medications - and provide medication education
• Supervising staff: Delegate and oversee care provided by LPNs/LVNs - nursing assistants - and other team members in accordance with VA policy - state regulations - and professional standards
• Patient and family education: Teach residents and caregivers about diagnoses - medications - treatments - prevention - self-care - advance care planning - and discharge or transition plans
• Documentation and communication: Maintain accurate electronic health records - complete required assessments and reports - communicate pertinent information during handoffs - and document responses to care
• Safety and quality improvement: Prevent falls - pressure injuries - infections - medication errors - and other adverse events
• participate in performance improvement - audits - and emergency preparedness activities
• End-of-life and restorative care: Support palliative and hospice approaches - advance directives - symptom management - rehabilitation - restorative nursing - and quality of life
• Care coordination: Collaborate with physicians - nurse practitioners - pharmacists - therapists - social workers - dietitians - mental health professionals - and community providers
• Professional and regulatory responsibilities: Follow VA policies - nursing standards - infection-prevention requirements - privacy rules - ethical principles - and applicable federal and state regulations
• Charge or administrative functions - when assigned: Manage unit operations - staffing and assignments - supplies - admissions and discharges - incident follow-up - and response to emergencies
• Interdisciplinary Team: Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Unit Coverage: Maybe required to provide RN coverage in other inpatient units
• 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: 24/7/365 work unit
• Day versus night shift and specific days off are not guaranteed
• Shifts are based on the needs of the facility
• Compressed Schedule: Supervisory discretion
• shifts may include day - evening - night - weekend and holiday coverage as needed by facility
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Amber.Guinotte@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.