Registered Nurse-Critical Care

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP debt reduction program

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs in Fayetteville, AR seeks a registered nurse eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). Must meet English proficiency and nursing licensure requirements, and maintain licensure while providing direct patient care.

The role supports multiple Nurse I–III pathways with continuing education and credentialing per VA standards. Applicants must graduate from an accredited nursing program, hold an active RN license, and pursue EDRP eligibility within set

Qualifications

• English language proficiency for direct patient care per policy.
• Graduate of an approved nursing program (ACEN/CCNE) with active licensure.
• Eligibility for State licensure and ability to obtain licensure upon appointment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver fundamental, patient-centered nursing care and develop clinical competencies.
• Demonstrate leadership and critical thinking in patient care settings; progress through Nurse I–III levels as per VA requirements.
• Maintain current, active RN licensure and comply with credentialing standards.

Skills

English Language Proficiency

Education

Graduate of a school of professional nursing

Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in a U.S. state

Job description

Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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:

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 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 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 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 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/.

Preferred Experience

1-2 years acute care RN experience(ICU, Stepdown, ED, PACU acceptable).

Physical Requirements

• Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over
• Straight pulling 1/2 hours)
• Pushing 1/2 hours
• Walking 2/4 hours
• Standing 2/6 hours
• Kneeling 1/2 hours
• Repeated bending 12 hours
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Outside and inside
• Working closely with others
• Working alone
• Protracted or irregular hours of work