Registered Nurse - ICU

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI seeks an experienced Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) for the ICU. This role provides high-level monitoring and knowledge-based care to vulnerable, complex patients requiring intensive interventions.

Required RN licensure and English proficiency; BLS/ACLS/NIHSS are standard requirements. Multiple pathways exist for BSN/ADN/MSN considerations within VA’s nursing framework.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an approved nursing program with RN licensure.
• English language proficiency required for direct patient care.
• Current, full, active, unrestricted RN license in a US state or territory.
• BSN/ADN/Diploma paths possible with bridge options or MSN in some cases.
• BLS/ACLS and NIHSS required or as negotiated by rank and unit.

Responsibilities

• Deliver fundamental, knowledge-based care for high-risk patients.
• Monitor patients closely, respond to rapid changes, and intervene appropriately.
• Maintain infection control and safe operation of critical care equipment.
• Coordinate care and adapt to evolving patient needs and families’ concerns.

Skills

Critical care

BLS

ACLS

NIHSS

Infection control

Patient monitoring

Education

Registered Nurse license (RN)

BSN

ADN or Diploma in Nursing

MSN (preferred in some paths)

Job description

Summary

This position is located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center - Milwaukee - Wisconsin - in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The function of the Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) is to delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while providing high levels of monitoring and surveillance for highly vulnerable - unstable - and complex patients who require complex assessments - therapies - and high-intensity interventions.

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/13062892
• 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: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of 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

Duties

• The ICU RN requires professional competency - cognitive competency - interpersonal skills - and knowledge of critical care patterns of interaction to care for a population of patients at high risk for actual or life-threatening problems
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Support and maintain the physiologic stability of patients
• Work and function within a safe manner including infection control and operation of equipment
• Assimilate and prioritize information sources to take immediate and decisive patient focused action
• Respond with confidence and adapt to rapidly changing patient conditions
• Respond to the unique needs of patients and families coping with unanticipated treatment - quality of life - and end-of-life decisions
• Manage appropriately the interface between the patients and technology that may be threatening - invasive - and complex - so that a human needs for safe - respectful - healing - humane and caring environment is established and maintained
• Monitor and allocate critical care services - recognizing fiduciary role of nurses working in a resource-intensive environment
• Practice requirements include Basic Life Support (BLS) - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• Cardiac dysrhythmia identification and treatment
• Application of principles of critical nursing in the assessment and evaluation of physiological and psychological responses to treatment
• Use of specialize therapies including but not limited to Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) and Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) management
• Manage perioperative care including potential complications resulting from medical/surgical diagnostic procedures - and the ability to resuscitate critically ill patients using evidence based guidelines and appropriate technology
• All other duties as assigned
• 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: NOCs - with variable tour rotations - weekends and holiday tours 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): No Authorized