Registered Nurse (Nurse Resource Nursing Pool)

The Resource Nurse assures quality care is provided for a population of male and female Veterans ranging in age 18 to 65 and older. The designated area serves Veterans with varying degree of illness and co-morbidities across Nursing Service in all practice settings, including inpatient, outpatient & ambulatory care. The practice of the central Registered Nurse position is based on knowledge, experience EBP (Evidence Based Practice) and has a direct impact on patient care and patient safety.

Qualifications:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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.
• 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Trained in Critical Care, to include the Emergency Department.

CCU trained/experienced RNs is due to their ability to seamlessly provide coverage across the entire Medical System to include the Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:

• Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience.

Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling (6 hours); Pushing (6-10 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6-10 hours); Standing (6-10 hours); Kneeling (1 hour); Repeated bending (4 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted).

Responsibilities:

As an RN assigned to Resource Pool, the nurse is primarily responsible for applying the nursing process to the care of Veterans at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. This position is based on a broad skill set and a high amount of critical thinking. This position involves floating from unit to unit based on patient care needs. This RN must be flexible and adaptable to changing units and patient care needs. The RN demonstrates area-designated competencies and delivers quality care to the Veteran. This includes but is not limited to assuring that appropriate documentation reflects assessment of patient needs, interdisciplinary treatment plans, clinical interventions, and evaluation of patient's response to treatments, in addition, the nurse delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to adult and geriatric patients while developing technical competence in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act, Medical Center and the VAHQ standards for practice. The incumbent provides direct nursing care to individual and groups of patients under the guidance and direction of the Nurse Manager, Operations. Central Staffing offers you increased flexibility in scheduling and work life balance using 72/80 staffing method. This position may float up to four times in a 12 hour shift and scheduling is based on organizational needs.

a) Leading and organizing delivery of care to assure continuity of care and accountability for practice, including access to care and discharge planning.
b) Using advance clinical knowledge and judgement
c) Functioning as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities,
d) Using professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and practice.
e) Documentation of nursing care in a timely and appropriate manner.
f) Supporting journey to a high reliable organization

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: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary : $67,545 - $124,603