Registered Nurse - Acute Care

Summary

The Registered Nurse - Acute Care delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. This role involves assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care based on age-specific components. The Nurse assumes responsibility for the coordination of care, focusing on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Additionally, the nurse administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), proficiency in basic written and spoken English is required for direct patient care positions.
• Accredited Nursing Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) at the time the program was completed.
• Bridge Program Exception: Individuals in a master's level bridge program who complete bachelor-level coursework may obtain temporary licensure and be converted to permanent upon graduation.
• Foreign School Graduates: Must possess a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration. Higher education requires formal degree equivalency validation.
• Current Licensure: Full, active, and unrestricted registration as a professional nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates meeting education but not licensure may be appointed temporarily (up to 2 years) while actively pursuing licensure.

Grade Determinations:

The following Scope, Education, and Dimension criteria, detailed in the online assessment, determine the grade assignment:

• Nurse I - Level I: Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care; ADN or Diploma in Nursing.
• Nurse I - Level II: Integrates biopsychosocial concepts and competent practice for basic or complex care; ADN/Diploma + 1 year experience OR BSN.
• Nurse I - Level III: Demonstrates proficiency and self-direction in complex client situations; ADN/Diploma + 2 years experience (1 yr equiv to Level 2) OR BSN + 1 year experience (equiv to Level 2) OR MSN OR Master's in *related field with BSN.
• Nurse II: Demonstrates leadership in holistic care; BSN + 2 years experience (equiv to Level 3) OR MSN + 1 year experience (equiv to Level 3) OR Master's in *related field with BSN + 1 year experience (equiv to Level 3) OR Doctoral degree in Nursing/related field with BSN.
• Nurse III: Executes leadership, experience, and creative approaches to complex client care management; MSN + 2 years experience (1 yr equiv to Nurse II) OR Master's in *related field with BSN + 2 years experience (1 yr equiv to Nurse II) OR Doctoral degree in Nursing + 1 year experience (equiv to Nurse II) OR Doctoral degree in *related field with BSN + 1 year experience (equiv to Nurse II).

*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Duties

• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process in direct patient care.
• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components.
• Coordinates care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction.
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.
• Influences care outcomes through interdisciplinary team collaboration.
• Demonstrates leadership and creative approaches to complex client care management.
• Provides competent, evidence-based care and oversees licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants.
• Assists in directing nursing education, orientation, and quality improvement.
• Evaluates practice based on best evidence and provides constructive feedback.
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment for professional development.
• Contributes professional nursing perspective in interdisciplinary discussions.
• Partners to effect change and achieve optimal outcomes.
• Shares educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers.
• Questions clinical practices to promote evidence-based care.
• Participates in activities to sustain an evidence-based practice culture.

VA Total Rewards

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package:

• Pay: Competitive salary, regular increases, potential performance awards.
• Paid Time Off: 50 days per year (26 annual, 13 sick, 11 Federal holidays).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many portable to retirement).
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory.
• Work Schedule: Nights, rotating weekends, and holidays.
• Telework/Virtual: Not Available.
• Incentives/PCS: Not Authorized.

Key skills/competency

• Acute Care Nursing
• Patient Assessment
• Care Coordination
• Medication Administration
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Clinical Judgment
• Patient Education
• Critical Thinking
• Electronic Health Records (EHR)