Registered Nurse - Critical Care Float

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compressed/Flexible: Available

Total rewards package

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Iowa City seeks a Registered Nurse for Critical Care Float to deliver high-acuity care to Veterans. You will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, administering medications and leading education and quality improvement initiatives.

The role emphasizes evidence-based practice, patient education, and adaptive staffing with a 12-hour rotating schedule and potential flexible arrangements.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in English as required for direct patient care.
• Graduate of an approved nursing program with active State license.
• EDRP eligibility and program requirements as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality critical care to Veterans in a float role.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary team to optimize outcomes.
• Administer medications and perform procedures per policies.
• Provide education, quality improvement, and mentorship.
• Rotate 12-hour day/night shifts with weekend/holiday coverage.

Skills

English language proficiency

Nursing licensure

ACLS/BLS certified

ICU/ER experience

Team coordination

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master's degree in Nursing (MSN)

Tools

ACLS

BLS

ICU equipment knowledge

Job description

Summary

This position is 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 determines award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

• 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
• Preferred Experience: ICU/ER experience highly preferred Critical Care Critical Care Registered Nurse certification ACLS BLS 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/13000278
• 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of examination.

Duties

• At Iowa City VA Health Care System - Registered Nurse (RN) Critical Care Float nurses deliver high-intensity - evidence-based care to Veterans at risk for life-threatening conditions-educating - coordinating - and advocating to improve safety - satisfaction - and outcomes across the continuum of care
• Join the Iowa City VA Health Care System and make a direct impact for Veterans who need acute and critical support
• As a Registered Nurse (RN) Critical Care Float - you'll provide vigilant - evidence-based care - partner with an interdisciplinary team - and help shape practice through education - quality improvement - and shared learning-ensuring compassionate coordination and stronger outcomes for those who served
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Being responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• Coordinating care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Administering medications and performing procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes
• Providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting
• Assisting in directing nursing education - orientation - competencies - and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
• Delivering high-intensity care and vigilance for acutely/critically ill patients at high risk for actual or potential life-threatening health problems - blending data from invasive and noninvasive monitoring technology
• Evaluating practice in an ongoing process based on best evidence and questioning clinical practices to provide evidence-based care
• Providing peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement and fostering a safe - supportive environment conducive to professional development
• Contributing the professional nursing perspective with the interdisciplinary team
• partnering to effect change - produce optimal outcomes - and sharing educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers
• 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: 12-hour Day/Night Rotation - rotating weekends and holidays
• 72/80 Schedule Eligibility: After successful completion of unit orientation (40 hours per week required until successful completion of orientation).
• Adherence to hospital policy and procedures - including leave policy required to qualify for 72/80.12 hour tours required with 72/80 schedules
• Further details will be discussed during interview process
• Compressed/Flexible: Available
• 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.