Nurse (Progressive Care, Step Down Unit)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Registered Nurse for the Progressive Care/Step Down Unit.

The RN provides expert, patient-centered care for acutely ill patients at elevated risk of instability, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care, and administration of medications and procedures. The role requires collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, mentoring peers, and leading complex care initiatives to improve program outcomes.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required for direct patient care.
• Graduation from an accredited nursing program (ACEN/CCNE or equivalent).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN licensure in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for acutely ill patients at elevated instability risk.
• Administer medications and procedures as ordered and monitor patient responses.
• Coordinate education and self-management for patients and families.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and mentor peers to promote best practices.
• Lead complex care initiatives to improve program-level outcomes.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Care planning

Education & self-management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Mentoring peers

Policy improvement

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

State licensure as registered nurse

Job description

The Registered Nurse (Progressive Care, Step Down Unit) provides expert, patient-centered care for acutely ill patients at elevated risk of instability. Responsibilities include assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care; administering medications and procedures; coordinating education and self-management; collaborating with interdisciplinary teams; mentoring peers; improving policies and evidence-based practice; and leading complex care initiatives to improve program-level outcomes.

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.)

Preferred Experience

• 1 year RN experience

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/13059948.

• Grade/Level: Nurse I, Level I
  Scope: Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.
  Education: An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.
• Grade/Level: Nurse I, Level II
  Scope: Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.
  Education: 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.
• Grade/Level: Nurse I, Level III
  Scope: Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.
  Education: 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.
• Grade/Level: Nurse II
  Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
  Education: 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.
• Grade/Level: Nurse III
  Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.
  Education: 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 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/.