Registered Nurse - Resources/Float Pool

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50 days of paid time off per year

Competitive salary

Federal health and dental insurance

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) for the Resource Pool in Lexington, KY. This role is responsible for supervising and providing direct patient care, focusing on patient education and self-management. A Bachelor's degree in Nursing and current registration are preferred.

Candidates should possess leadership experience and skills in cardiac monitoring. The position offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• Must have strong leadership experience and innovative problem-solving skills.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program with current registration.
• Preferred experience in various patient care areas.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all elements of the nursing process.
• Coordinates patient care focusing on education and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams for care outcomes.

Skills

Leadership experience

Cardiac monitoring expertise

Patient care coordination

Problem-solving skills

Education

Graduate of accredited nursing program

Current full active professional nurse registration

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an RN for the Resource Pool who will be responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The ideal candidate will coordinate care with a focus on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction. Strong leadership experience and innovative problem‑solving skills are required to manage complex care across various patient care areas.

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).
• 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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program.
• Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6.
• 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 than 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.
• 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.
• 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/12862971.
• 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 – 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.
• ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level I; 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.
• ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I – Level II.
• Or a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I – Level II.
• 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.
• BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I – Level III.
• Or an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III.
• Or a Master’s degree in a related field with BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III.
• Or a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience.
• Or a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and 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 a 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 an 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.
• 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/.
• Preferred Experience: Extensive Clinical Nursing Experience – exposure to various patient care areas such as the Emergency Department, Critical Care Unit, Progressive Care Unit, Mental Health Unit, Medical/Surgical Units, Community Living Center/Long Term Care, and Post Anesthesia Care Unit.
• Cardiac/Telemetry Monitoring Expertise: Proficiency in cardiac monitoring and telemetry – with the ability to accurately interpret cardiac rhythms and provide appropriate patient care.
• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is preferred to ensure a solid foundation in nursing theory and practice.
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing.
• Transferring patients and objects may be required.
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
• The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations – able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• General Description of Assigned Duties: Responsible for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.
• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age‑specific components.
• Coordinates patient care with a focus on education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction.
• Administers medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Demonstrates leadership and creative approaches to managing complex client care.
• Proficient in cardiac monitoring and telemetry; able to interpret cardiac rhythms and manage related patient care.
• Maintains current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).
• Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Execute leadership and innovative approaches to managing complex patient care.
• Collaborate in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Demonstrate broad performance and leadership to improve care across all patient units including Emergency Department, Critical Care Unit, Progressive Care Unit, Mental Health Unit, Medical/Surgical Units, Community Living Center/Cottages, and Post Anesthesia Care Unit.
• Provide peers with constructive feedback for improvement and support through knowledge sharing.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment for professional development.
• Lead efforts to alleviate care and culture disparities within units.
• Evaluate outcomes of evidence‑based practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations.
• Responsible for documented, broad, and complex outcomes at the program or service level across the facility.
• Pay Scale: N0DV 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: Days/Nights 12 hours with rotation to other shifts as needed.
• Telework: Not available.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.