Summary
The LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center is seeking a Full-Time Registered Nurse (RN) - 6S - aligned under Patient Care Services.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
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English Language Proficiency
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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(Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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/12839628
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Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
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An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
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Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
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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
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Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
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Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
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An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
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OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
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OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
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OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
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Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
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A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
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OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
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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
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OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
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OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
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Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
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MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
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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
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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
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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
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*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
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Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
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Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
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This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
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Transferring patients and objects may be required
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Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
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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
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The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
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The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
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Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.
Duties
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The Inpatient Staff 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
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The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
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Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
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Evaluates practice in an ongoing process - based on best evidence
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Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
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Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
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Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team
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Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes
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Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
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Shares educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers
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Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care
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Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based-practice culture
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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: To Be Determined by Service Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.