Registered Nurse (Acute Care)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Work schedule options

Job summary

Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking highly skilled Registered Nurses for Acute Care. You will work in telemetry-capable units, participate in interdisciplinary teams, and support dementia-informed care and oncology/chemotherapy services.

The role emphasizes patient- and family-centered care throughout admission, treatment, and discharge planning. Active RN licensure in the United States is required; BSN-preferred with relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by ACEN or CCNE.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in the United States or District of Columbia.
• Foreign-educated nurses must have degree equivalency validation.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, patient-centered nursing care within an acute care unit, including assessment, care planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Monitor telemetry/cardiac rhythms and respond to status changes.
• Administer chemotherapy and other treatments per competency; adjust care plans with the team.
• Educate Veterans and families about diagnosis, treatment plans, and post-discharge needs.
• Document care accurately in the EHR and participate in quality improvement activities.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical judgment

Telemetry

Chemotherapy administration

Patient care

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing

Diploma in Nursing

BSN

MSN

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Summary

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.

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/13084105
• 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
• 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.

Duties

• Durham VAHCS is recruiting Registered Nurses for its Acute Care Service - which is comprised of four inpatient units serving a diverse Veteran population
• The service includes two telemetry-capable medical-surgical units - a dedicated dementia/cognitive support unit - and a unit with a dedicated oncology/chemotherapy focus
• Registered Nurses partner with LPN's and Nursing Assistants to provide patient and family centered care in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of clinicians - who support patients and families in decision-making
• The interdisciplinary needs of patients and families are met through collaboration with ancillary services to include Pharmacy - Laboratory - Dietary - Social Work - Chaplin - and Radiology
• Specialty Care and services are available through consultation and are utilized as needed to ensure continuity and progression of care
• Discharge planning and patient/family education is initiated on admission and continues throughout hospitalization
• Interdisciplinary treatment and discharge planning is conducted bi-weekly during an organized interdisciplinary treatment and discharge planning conference
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Provide direct - patient-centered nursing care within an assigned acute care unit - including assessment - care planning - implementation - and evaluation
• Monitor and interpret telemetry/cardiac rhythms and respond appropriately to changes in patient status (telemetry units)
• Apply dementia-informed care techniques - de-escalation strategies - and behavioral safety protocols to support Veterans with cognitive impairment (dementia unit)
• Administer chemotherapy and other antineoplastic agents per competency and monitor for treatment-related complications (oncology unit)
• Administer medications and treatments - monitor patient response - and adjust the care plan in coordination with the interdisciplinary team
• Educate Veterans and family members/caregivers on diagnosis - treatment plans - and post-discharge needs
• Document care accurately and timely in the electronic health record in accordance with VA and Joint Commission standards
• Participate in unit-based quality improvement initiatives - falls prevention - and purposeful rounding
• Preferred Experience: A minimum of two years successful nursing practice
• Current or within last 3 years Medical-surgical nursing experience
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with patients - families and other members of the interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrated skills in decision-making - sound clinical judgment and critical-thinking abilities
• Demonstrated ability to use computer systems in support of patient care delivery
• 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: Day - Evening - Night (8 hour and 12 hour shifts) - rotating weekend Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized