Registered Nurse-Critical Care

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligibility

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, seeks registered nurses for perioperative and critical care settings. The role emphasizes high-acuity patient care, leadership, and collaboration with healthcare teams to improve outcomes.

Eligible candidates may participate in the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) and related loan-repayment opportunities, with program approval and award determinations managed by the Education Loan Repayment Services office.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required for direct patient care.
• Licensed to practice nursing in a U.S. state or territory.
• Nursing degree from an ACEN/CCNE-accredited program or equivalent (BSN/ADN/Diploma).
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain state licensure and nursing registration.
• Ability to obtain temporary appointment with potential conversion to permanent staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing care to acutely/critically ill patients in line with agency standards.
• Demonstrate leadership in care delivery and staff development.
• Participate in high reliability and quality improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with interprofessional teams to plan and evaluate patient care.
• Mentor and precept nursing staff and students as assigned.

Job description

Summary

Position is eligible for 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.

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/13062342
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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 Preferred Experience: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 1-2 years of recent Critical Care RN experience ACLS

Duties

• The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) Perioperative Surgical Intensive Care /Medical Intensive Care - Critical Care Nurse is responsible or providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting
• The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
• Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• Provides direct care for acutely/critically ill patients who are at high risk for actual or potential life threatening health problems - regardless of the setting for nursing care
• Provides high intensity care and vigilance - while refining assessment skills and blending in data obtained from a variety of invasive/noninvasive monitoring technology
• Evaluates practice in an ongoing process - based on best evidence
• Duties and responsibilities of the Registered Nurse Critical Care include - but are not limited to the following: Leads the provision of nursing care to patients with complex care needs utilizing the nursing process in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice
• Applies clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning - decision-making - and evaluating outcomes within the immediate practice setting
• Applies patient - family - and caregiver knowledge - values - and beliefs into care delivery without judgement or discrimination
• Leads the implementation of high reliability principles and I CARE values to increase consistency of care delivered and improve patient outcomes
• Demonstrates the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others - to inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting
• Considers alternative courses of action
• Respects the opinions - abilities - and contributions of others
• Encourages individual growth and development
• Expands knowledge base and practice evaluation through mentoring - precepting - and/or teaching to improve outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• Takes responsibility for personal and professional career goals
• Supports the professional growth of others
• Applies evidence-based practice/research resulting in improved outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• Leads patient care improvement through monitoring - analyzing - and evaluating care outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• Leads initiatives for expanding best techniques to identify and apply patient preferences to shared care delivery decisions in the immediate practice settings
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay - higher or unique qualifications - or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior work experience or military service experience
• 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: 12 hour Days with rotating shifts - holidays - weekends based on the needs of the service Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized