Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration at Fargo VA Health Care Center is seeking an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Registered Nurse (RN) to provide competent, evidence-based care to acutely and critically ill patients in the Acute Care service line.

This Open Continuous Announcement remains active until filled or until 9/30/2026. The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and ongoing professional development for nursing staff.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by accrediting bodies (ACEN/CCNE).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted nursing license in the U.S. or District of Columbia.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive, evidence-based nursing care to acutely and critically ill patients in the ICU.
• Demonstrate leadership and clinical expertise in managing complex patient care situations.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to develop and implement holistic patient-centered care plans.
• Participate in unit-based education and ongoing professional development for nursing staff.

Skills

ACLS

Critical Care

Hemodialysis

Leadership

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

Job description

Summary

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to high acuity - complex patients in the Acute Care Service Line with the Fargo VA Health Care Center. This is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until September 30 - 2026 or vacancy is filled. Applicants will be qualified and referred to the hiring manager on a regular and ongoing basis.

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
• Preferred Experience: ACLS 2 years of Critical Care experience Hemodialysis experience BSN preferred 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/13037237
• 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 Doctorial degree in a *related field with 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 evaluation or examination.

Duties

• 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
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Registered Nurse duties include - but are not limited to: Provides comprehensive - evidence-based nursing care to acutely and critically ill patients - integrating advanced assessment skills and data from invasive and non-invasive monitoring technologies
• Demonstrates leadership and clinical expertise in managing complex patient care situations - serving as a resource for peers and contributing to improved patient outcomes
• Participates in and supports unit-based education - assisting with orientation - competency validation - and ongoing professional development for nursing staff
• Evaluates clinical practice on an ongoing basis - applying best evidence and offering constructive feedback to peers to promote continuous improvement
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to develop and implement holistic - patient-centered care plans - contributing a professional nursing perspective to care discussions
• Promotes a safe - supportive - and growth-oriented work environment - mentoring staff and fostering an atmosphere conducive to professional learning and high-quality care
• Engages in quality improvement - policy development - and outcome-focused initiatives - participating in activities that advance evidence-based practice and enhance the Veteran care experience
• Provides vigilant - high-intensity monitoring and timely interventions - ensuring early recognition and management of actual or potential life-threatening conditions
• Work Schedule: Rotating shifts and/ or on-call coverage - including weekends & holidays on an intermittent as-needed basis
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized