Registered Nurse-Emergency Department

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Topeka, KS seeks a Registered Nurse to deliver fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients and coordinate care across the continuum.

The RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific needs while promoting education and self-management. The ideal candidate will have an approved nursing education program, current RN licensure in the United States, and meet English proficiency requirements for direct patient care.

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of an approved nursing program.
• Current, active RN license in the United States or eligibility for licensure.
• Basic English proficiency for written and spoken communication as required by VA rules.

Responsibilities

• Deliver fundamental, knowledge-based nursing care to assigned clients.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for age-specific patients.
• Coordinate care focusing on patient education, self-management, and satisfaction across the continuum.

Skills

English proficiency

Nursing basics

Patient education

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing

BSN with 1 year nursing experience

MSN with 2 years nursing experience or related degree

Job description

The Registered Nurse (RN) delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. The incumbent assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care based on age-specific components. The RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

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

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/13076311.

Grade/Level: 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.

Grade/Level: 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.

Grade/Level: 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 a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.

Grade/Level: 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 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.

Grade/Level: 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.

Preferred Experience

2 years of Emergency Room Nurse or Critical Care Nurse experience

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses such as long periods of continued walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples may include, but are not limited to:

• significant amounts of time standing, assisting assigned patients
• utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols