Registered Nurse - Nurse Manager

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Omaha, NE seeks an experienced Acute Care Nurse Manager to lead a 22-bed unit. The role centers on clinical leadership, education, and ensuring delivery of holistic patient care consistent with VA standards.

Responsibilities include staff orientation, ongoing development, and ensuring compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements. Strong communication and leadership are essential for success in this 24/7 unit.

Qualifications

• Nursing degree from an approved program.
• Current RN license in the United States.
• BSN/MSN strongly preferred for leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Lead 7E Acute Care unit nursing team and ensure high-quality patient care.
• Coordinate orientation, training, development, and performance evaluation of staff.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Communication

Clinical guidance

Education

RN degree (BSN/ADN)

BSN/MSN preferred

Tools

BLS certification

ACLS certification

Job description

Summary

As the designated first-line supervisory authority - you will be responsible and accountable for the seamless operation of your assigned unit(s) within the Acute Care. In this dynamic role - you will be pivotal in orienting - training - developing - and evaluating nursing staff-serving as an educator - mentor - practitioner - and leader. You will be responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care.

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/13101581
• 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
• 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 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

• About the 7E Unit: Is a 24/7/365 unit
• 22-bed acute care unit specializing in post-surgical and oncology care
• Primary post-surgical population is orthopedic and neurosurgical: total hip - total knee - and spine/back surgeries
• Also supports urology and general surgery patients on a smaller volume basis
• Average length of stay: 2-3 days
• Average daily census: 14-15 patients - with surge capacity up to 20 patients
• The Acute Care Nurse Manager duties include - but are not limited to - the following: Functions as a clinical expert and is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Is accountable for the operation of assigned units and provides coverage for other Nurse Managers as needed
• Provides direction and supervision of specific orientation - training - development of staff - and evaluation of individual staff performance
• Ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards
• Preferred Experience: BSN - MSN or other relevant graduate degree strongly preferred
• BLS and ACLS certification
• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive Acute Care experience - with substantial time specifically in Medical/Surgical nursing
• Experience with post-surgical orthopedic/neurosurgical and oncology patient populations strongly preferred given unit specialty
• Recent - hands-on unit-level experience (not solely administrative) within the past several years
• Demonstrated clinical competency managing short-stay - high-turnover patient flow
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across disciplines and with leadership
• 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 - 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: Full time
• 7:30 a.m
• to 4:00 p.m
• May require additional off tour - as needed
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• 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.