Registered Nurse - Emergency Department

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fort Meade (SD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP Eligible

50 days Paid Time Off

Federal benefits

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ VA Black Hills Health Care System is seeking an Emergency Department Registered Nurse. You will triage, stabilize, and treat Veterans in medical, surgical, and psychiatric emergencies within a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes advanced emergency and critical care, with opportunities for professional development and the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). 12-hour rotating shifts and a 24/7 schedule support compassionate veteran care.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required.
• Graduate of an approved nursing program (ACEN/CCNE).
• License required: current, full, active RN license in a U.S. state.
• Bridge program options may allow temporary appointment before licensure.
• Foreign nursing graduates require verification of education equivalency.
• Nurse Technician (GNT) exception allowed at entry level with licensure pursuit.

Responsibilities

• Assess and triage Veterans with urgent and emergent conditions.
• Provide comprehensive emergency nursing care for medical, surgical, and psychiatric cases.
• Stabilize patients and perform life-support interventions as needed.
• Administer medications and monitor patient responses.
• Develop and implement individualized care plans based on assessments.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team and educate patients and families.

Skills

English Proficiency

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) or related field with BSN

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). Join VA Black Hills Health Care System as an Emergency Department Registered Nurse and make a difference when Veterans need care most. Assess and triage urgent needs - respond to medical - surgical - and psychiatric emergencies - and provide lifesaving stabilization and treatment. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team while advancing your emergency and critical care skills in a fast-paced - mission-driven environment.

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). Join VA Black Hills Health Care System as an Emergency Department Registered Nurse and make a difference when Veterans need care most. Assess and triage urgent needs - respond to medical - surgical - and psychiatric emergencies - and provide lifesaving stabilization and treatment. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team while advancing your emergency and critical care skills in a fast-paced - mission-driven environment.

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
• 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/13090743
• 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 Experience: ER Experience Preferred 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 evaluation or examination.

Duties

• As an Emergency Department Registered Nurse at VA Black Hills Health Care System - you will play a vital role in delivering timely - compassionate care to Veterans experiencing urgent and life-threatening health conditions
• Working in a dynamic environment where every moment matters - you will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to provide responsive - individualized care across a wide range of medical - surgical - and psychiatric emergencies
• This position offers valuable opportunities to expand your clinical expertise through specialized emergency and critical care practices - strengthen your assessment and decision-making skills - and contribute to positive patient outcomes
• Join a team dedicated to clinical excellence - professional growth - and making a meaningful difference in the lives of Veterans and their families
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Assess and prioritize Veterans presenting with urgent and emergent conditions using the five-level Emergency Severity Index triage system to identify immediate care needs
• Deliver comprehensive emergency nursing care to Veterans experiencing acute and chronic medical - surgical - and psychiatric conditions
• Provide critical interventions - including patient stabilization - resuscitation - and life-support measures - to address life-threatening emergencies
• Perform specialized emergency and critical care interventions - including hemodynamic monitoring and cardiovascular medication management
• Develop - implement - and evaluate individualized nursing care plans based on comprehensive assessments - patient needs - and clinical responses to treatment
• Administer prescribed medications - perform nursing procedures - and monitor patient responses to support safe and effective emergency treatment
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members to facilitate timely interventions - continuity of care - and informed clinical decision-making
• Educate Veterans and their families about health conditions - treatment plans - and self-management strategies to support recovery and ongoing health needs
• 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: 24/7 rotating schedule 12-hour shifts: Day Shift: 6:00 a.m
• to 6:00 p.m
• Night Shift: 6:00 p.m
• to 6:00 a.m
• Tour of Duty: Employees work rotating 12-hour shifts to support 24/7 operations
• Holiday assignments are required
• 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 This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program
• You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment
• Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application
• The EDRP Coordinator(s) can be reached at [e-mail][e-mail] Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.