RN - Mental Health Float

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a registered nurse for clinical care in a setting requiring licensure and adherence to VHA standards. This role supports patient care delivery and interdisciplinary collaboration, with potential eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

Applicants must hold a current RN license in the United States and meet the nursing education requirements; advanced degrees or bridge programs may apply for certain levels.

Qualifications

• English proficiency in written and spoken form is required.
• Graduate of a nursing program approved by ACEN or CCNE (or bridge program equivalent).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in a U.S. state or territory.
• Foreign graduates require VA credential validation per standards.
• Grandfathering provision applies to VA 0610 series employees.

Responsibilities

• Deliver direct patient care in accordance with VHA policy and standards.
• Adhere to safety, documentation, and care quality requirements.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure patient outcomes.
• Participate in ongoing education and training activities.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

Graduate of a school of professional nursing

Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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

• 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/.

Preferred Experience

3-5 years recent Nursing Experience, 3-5 years of Mental Health Nursing Experience

Physical Requirements

This clinical position includes a physicality normally associated with direct patient care: the physical requirements of this position include lifting, prolonged standing, sitting, frequent bending, stooping, walking, reaching, repetitive motion, and climbing stairs. The mental/sensory requirements include logical thinking, processing and retaining information, reading, recall, reasoning, complex problem solving, hearing, clear distinct speech, writing, keyboarding, use of a telephone, and use of video connectivity. This position requires face‑to‑face patient care, use of available IT software and equipment for virtual visits, and timely and accurate navigation of and documentation in electronic medical records. The environment’s pace can vary from steady to fast‑paced requiring handling multiple priorities in a single day, frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes‑noisy environment. There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease, illness, and hazardous materials. This position involved working with persons with communication difficulties, cognitive loss including dementia, behavioral challenges, altered mentation and caregivers that are stressed. Collaboration with multiple stakeholders is essential. This position requires compliance with VHA‑mandated vaccinations and meeting employee health requirements. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off‑site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA‑vehicles.