Chief Nurse

Veterans Health Administration

Battle Creek (MI)

On-site

USD 158,000 - 210,000

Full time

10 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid time off

Federal retirement

Health benefits

Licensure support

Regular daytime schedule

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration seeks a Chief Nurse for the Mental Health Nursing Service at Battle Creek VA Medical Center. The role reports to the ADPCS and leads nursing operations, clinical excellence, and staff supervision.

The position emphasizes high-reliability care, interdepartmental coordination, and adherence to VA standards while fostering a safe, evidence-based environment for Veterans. The work week is Monday through Friday with a standard daytime schedule; relocation and

Qualifications

Graduate of a professional nursing program approved by accreditation bodies.
Current, full, active nursing license in the United States.
ACEN or CCNE accreditation preferred or bridge program pathway.

Responsibilities

Provide senior nursing leadership for daily clinical and administrative operations.
Serve on the nursing executive leadership team and supervise nursing staff.
Ensure compliance with nursing regulations, VA guidelines, and standards of care.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to promote patient-centered outcomes.

Skills

Nurse leadership

Communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Education

BSN degree

Active RN license (US)

Bridge program eligibility

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for a Chief Nurse within Mental Health Nursing Service. This position will report directly to the Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS).

Key Responsibilities

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: The Chief Nurse executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and, influence the organizational healthcare mission. Functions as an advisor, administrator, educator, consultant, and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability.

Provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within nursing as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS.) Serves as a key member of the nursing executive leadership team and is responsible for all aspects of care that fall under the operations service line, providing administrative oversight and direction in the programs within the service. Supervises nursing staff.

Provides solid knowledge of Nursing and Emergency Nursing regulations, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines, medical review criteria, clinical practice and documentation requirements, current standards of care, and compliance guidelines. Supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals.

They champion a High Reliability Organization (HRO) with a lifestyle of safety founded on a systems approach to developing evidence-based health care solutions based on prevention, not punishment, with collective mindfulness. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the facility and network. They work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide.

Relates effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. They assist the ADPCS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them. Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing.

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: Monday - Friday 7:30AM - 4:00PM.
80 hours per pay period (2weeks). Hours may be rotated or extended based on the needs of the Medical Center and our Veterans.
Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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).

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $158044 – $210195/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-19.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Excepted' hiring path.