Nurse Manager- Intensive Care Unit

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs—Wilmington VA Medical Center—seeks a Nurse Manager to provide clinical leadership in the Intensive Care Unit.

The role oversees all elements of the nursing process for direct patient care, with accountability for staff development, performance evaluation, and program implementation. Qualified candidates hold an approved nursing degree, current US RN licensure, and meet VA education standards.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required.
• Graduate of a nursing program approved by ACEN or CCNE at time of completion.
• State licensure as a registered nurse; temporary appointment possible during bridge program.
• Graduates of foreign nursing schools require degree equivalency validation (e.g., ICD).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in a US state or territory or DC.
• GNT exception: 120-day temporary appointment while pursuing licensure (may extend up to two years).
• Grade/Level determinations and required dimensions for Nurse I–III roles are outlined in VA qualification standards.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first‑line supervisory authority for assigned units and provide coverage as needed.
• Direct orientation, training, development, and evaluation of staff.
• Serve as a role model, educator, practitioner, and supervisor to promote leadership.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to remove barriers and implement evidence‑based programs/processes.
• Promote engagement in professional activities and continuous professional development.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards and align nursing objectives with the organization’s mission.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Nursing expertise

Staff development

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

ADN or Nursing Diploma

BSN

MSN

Job description

Summary

The position is located at the Wilmington VA Medical center in the Intensive Care Unit. The Nurse Manger functions as a clinical expert and is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care.

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


• 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/13081099


• 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 additional 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


• Preferred Experience and Education: MSN - Leadership Experience - Minimum 3-years critical care experience - CCRN Certification preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/


• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity


• Also requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - lifting and pushing


• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• The Nurse Manager (NM) is the designated first-line supervisory authority and is responsible and accountable for the operation of their assigned units and provides coverage for other NMs as needed


• The NM is responsible and accountable for the direction and supervision of specific orientation - training - development of staff - and evaluation of individual staff performance


• They function as a role model - educator - practitioner - and supervisor providing leadership to the team


• They enhance care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team to remove barriers and implement new evidence-based cutting-edge programs/processes


• The NM engages in professional organizations to enhance leadership and career growth


• They adhere to ethical principles in decision-making - fostering accountability at personal - organizational - and staff levels


• They equip staff with tools for culturally competent care and promotes a culture of accountability for high-quality - cost-effective outcomes


• They cultivate alliances across the care continuum - building trust through active listening - engagement - and emotional intelligence


• The NM contributes to the development of care delivery models and environmental design - ensuring evidence-based - accessible - affordable - and equitable patient care


• Ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards


• Aligns nursing/clinical objectives with organizational strategic outcomes - participating in strategy planning and execution


• They promote an inclusive workplace valuing diversity to achieve the organizations vision and mission


• Other duties as assigned: 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: 7:00am-3:30pm - may flex with the needs of the department