Registered Nurse (Acute Care)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking highly skilled, experienced Registered Nurses for Acute Care. The role emphasizes leadership, management of complex patient care, and responsible stewardship of resources and the care environment.

Qualified applicants must be English-proficient, graduate from an approved nursing program, and hold current, unrestricted RN licensure in the U.S. Foreign education may require validation per VA guidelines.

Qualifications

• English Language Proficiency per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by accrediting bodies (ACEN/CCNE).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN licensure in the United States.
• Foreign education may require degree equivalency validation per VA guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in patient care and resource management.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate care plans for acute care patients.
• Ensure a safe therapeutic environment and high quality of care.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical expertise

Communication

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN)

Job description

The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking (1) highly skilled/experienced Registered Nurses to serve within Acute Care. Demonstrates leadership, experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for the management of patient care, human, fiscal/material resources, & the total environment of the unit. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment.

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/13084105.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in *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 Education

BSN

Preferred Certification(s)

ANCC Certification in Medical Surgical Nursing

Reference

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

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs & repeated bending. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. & over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. & over) Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours) Pushing (up to 4 hours) Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours) Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours) Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional & Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening/testing, as a condition of employment.