RN - Staff - Emergency Dept./Urgent Care

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal benefits including pension/401

Health insurance

Six 12-hour shifts per pay period

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, is seeking an Emergency Department Nurse. The role covers assessment, care, and coordination with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality patient outcomes.

The position emphasizes adherence to nursing standards, participation in quality improvement, and patient advocacy within the VA system. Comprehensive benefits and a rotating schedule are provided.

Qualifications

• English proficiency required for direct patient care and communication.
• Graduate of an approved nursing program (ACEN/CCNE) or equivalent.
• May require licensure/registration transfer or bridge program completion as applicable.
• Foreign-education degree equivalency evaluation may be required.
• Active, full, and unrestricted nursing license in U.S. state or territory.
• GNT exception allows temporary appointment while pursuing licensure.

Responsibilities

• Provide urgent and emergent care to patients with medical-surgical and psychiatric conditions.
• Deliver and supervise basic nursing care and life-support measures as needed.
• Delegate and supervise licensed practical nurses and unlicensed staff.
• Advocate for patients and families to improve outcomes and address ethical issues.
• Lead high-reliability and patient-safety initiatives within the unit.

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

Nursing degree (ADN or Diploma)

BSN (preferred)

Current state nursing license

Job description

Summary

The Emergency Dept. Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs.

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/13089492
• 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 can involve considerable amount of standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• It requires assisting clients with transfers from wheelchairs/stretchers and transporting them to other departments or facilities
• Mechanical devices are available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift clients
• The work may involve pushing or lifting more than 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
• The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care
• The position may require the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally ill clients
• The position also requires ability to work on computers for extended periods of time.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Provides urgent and emergent care to patients with acute and/or chronic medical - surgical - and psychiatric conditions
• Nursing care ranges from basic nursing care to stabilization - resuscitation - and life-support measures
• Responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients
• They delegate and supervise basic nursing care of licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel
• Applies patient - family - and caregiver knowledge - values - and beliefs into care delivery without judgement or discrimination Serves as an advocate for patients - families - and caregivers - improving outcomes for the immediate practice setting
• Serves as a resource for patients - caregivers - and staff to address and resolve ethical issues in the immediate practice setting
• Leads the implementation of high reliability principles and I CARE values to increase consistency of care delivered and improve patient outcomes Preferred Experience: 3-5 years of RN experience in Emergency Department or Urgent Care is highly preferred
• 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 Compressed Work Schedule:
• Six 12-hour shifts - 7:30pm to 8:0 0am and one 8-hour shift for every pay period
• Rotating weekends and holidays
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Functional Statements: 93350-A - 93351-A - 93352-A