Critical Care Registered Nurse

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Muskogee (OK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP Education Debt Reduction Program

Paid Time Off: 50 days/year

Federal pension and 401K with employer

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) to provide evidence-based care to acutely/critically ill patients in Oklahoma.

The role emphasizes high‑level clinical skills, leadership in a fast-paced environment, and coordination of comprehensive patient education and care across the continuum. Qualified applicants will have an approved nursing program (ACEN/CCNE) and an active RN license in the United States, with ICU experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements: English language proficiency and nursing school accreditation.
• Graduate of a nursing program approved by ACEN/CCNE and licensed to practice in the U.S.
• Bridge program options for master’s level nursing students aiming to register after completion.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based care to critically ill patients.
• Deliver high-intensity care with vigilant monitoring using invasive/noninvasive tech.
• Coordinate patient education, self-management and satisfaction across the care continuum.
• Administer medications and procedures per policies and guidelines.
• Demonstrate leadership in the care team and contribute to quality improvement.

Skills

English proficiency

ICU nursing experience

Education

Accredited nursing program (ACEN/CCNE)

Current, full RN license in the United States

BSN/MSN preferred or bridge program eligibility

Job description

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


• Preferred Experience: 2 years ICU 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/13101374


• 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 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


• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/


• Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling


• Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

Duties

• The Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients


• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Providing direct care for acutely/critically ill patients who are at high risk for actual or potential life-threatening health problems - regardless of the setting for nursing care


• Providing high intensity care and vigilance - while refining assessment skills and blending in data obtained from a variety of invasive/noninvasive monitoring technology


• Evaluating practice in an ongoing process - based on best evidence


• Participates in activities and strategies to sustain evidence-based-practice


• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care


• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines


• The nurse should have experience with the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform - integrating theoretical concepts - strong critical thinking skills - and exhibits a robust technically skilled practice


• 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: 6:30pm-7:00am or 6:30am-7:00pm (determined at selection) - Rotating Days off


• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position


• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive


• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance


• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized