Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

Veterans Health Administration

Albuquerque (NM)

On-site

USD 76,000 - 137,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal pension

Health insurance

Telework not available

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse for the New Mexico VA Health Care System in Albuquerque. You will deliver patient-centered, recovery-oriented nursing care on the inpatient MH unit and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to support high-quality patient outcomes.

This full-time role offers rotating shifts within a VA healthcare setting. Applications close 2026-11-13, with two openings and a competitive pay range of $75,834 to

Responsibilities

Provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented care for patients with mental health conditions.
Facilitates shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
Uses therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques.
Participates in interdisciplinary MH treatment teams and Environment of Care rounds.
Documents nursing assessments, plans of care, safety observations, and environmental safety rounds.
Contributes to policy development, implementation, evaluation and revision.
Provides feedback to peers to support professional development.
Aims to improve MH patient outcomes and program/service level results.

Job description

Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is looking for a Inpatient Registered Nurse for our Mental Health Service!

Key Responsibilities

The Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) executes their position duties to improve patient and organizational outcomes by providing patient-centered and recovery oriented care, maintaining self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions, and managing the milieu. The nurse facilitates shift reports, warm hand-offs, and develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups.

They use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de-escalation techniques, and utilize recovery-oriented language. The nurse actively participates in MH interdisciplinary treatment team, MH Environment of Care rounds, directs team response to psychiatric emergencies, reports safety concerns, and assists in safety concern resolution.

The nurse documents nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy. The nurse maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines.

Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for MH patients. Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals. Evaluates MH outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations. Responsible for the documented MH outcomes at the program or service level.

Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility.

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: Rotating Shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 $75834 – $136857/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-13.

How many openings are available?

There are 2 openings for this position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.