Clarification from the agency

Open to US Citizens NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

As the RN-NEx you will have thorough understanding of the Pathway to Excellence® (PTE) and Magnet Recognition® Programs and assist the ADPCS/NE in maintaining Nursing Excellence at STVHCS. Additionally, you will support and assist the Pathway to Excellence and Magnet Recognition Program Director(s) in establishing a healthy workplace to foster a culture of nursing excellence in accordance with the Pathway to Excellence and the Magnet Recognition programs. You will demonstrate leadership and creative approaches to develop and implement programs and activities designed to improve the quality of patient care and engagement of nursing staff related to shared governance, evidenced-based practice, high reliability (HRO) and other performance improvement tenants.

The RN-NEx serves as a key leader in advancing nursing excellence through the integration of Pathway to Excellence® and Magnet principles within a robust Professional Governance framework. This role supports the development and sustainability of shared governance structures, including unit-based councils and Nursing Professional Governance Committees, fostering a culture of collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. Acting as a consultant and mentor, the RN-NEx provides education and guidance to nurses and leaders, promoting professional development and engagement in decision-making processes that impact clinical practice and work environment.

In alignment with organizational goals, the RN-NEx champions initiatives that strengthen nursing practice, enhance quality outcomes, and uphold standards of excellence. Responsibilities include coaching and mentoring nurses, supporting governance activities, and participating in local and national committees to advance nursing leadership and innovation. Through these efforts, you will ensure that nursing practice reflects the core tenets of Pathway and Magnet, driving continuous improvement and elevating the voice of the nurse across all levels of care.

Collaborate with both administrative and clinical services to carry out the functions and activities that support Nursing Excellence. Areas of responsibility include all patient care areas in which nursing services are delivered regardless of organizational alignment. Position may entail other duties as assigned.

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: Full-time; Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm or as determined by supervisor
Telework: Available; Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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 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.

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.)

• MSN desirable
• Relevant specialty certification highly preferred (e.g., leadership, professional development)
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with Nursing Professional Governance structures, nursing excellence frameworks, and serving as a Subject Matter Expert to executive leaders, aiming to implement system-wide changes/process improvements.
• Demonstrated participation in strategic planning and alignment of goals with service-level, facility-level, and national organization goals.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and emerging technologies (e.g., PowerApps, PowerBI) with the ability to leverage data analytics and innovative solutions for reporting, process improvement, and decision support.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to craft clear, concise, and persuasive documents, reports, and presentations for diverse audiences, including executive leadership, frontline staff, and interdisciplinary teams.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps