Nurse; Non-Institutional Extended Care​/Education Debt Reduction Program Authorized

Summary

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 determines award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period one to five years, after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are 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 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:
  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 the 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 or entry-level nursing education program.
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher than associate degree or 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 any U.S. state, territory, or Commonwealth (including Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception:
  Candidates who 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 described in the qualification standard on the effective date (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification.
• Grade determinations and scope education requirements for each grade are detailed on the online assessment at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Questionnaire/.
• The following are examples of minimum education and experience for each grade level (summary only). Specific requirements are in the above link.
• Nurse I – Level I:
  Deliver fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. Requirements:
  Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing with no additional professional nursing experience.
• Nurse I – Level II:
  Demonstrate integration of biopsychosocial concepts and cognitive skills with technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex needs. Requirements: ADN or Diploma with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level I, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience.
• Nurse I – Level III:
  Demonstrate proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning and self-directed goal setting for managing complex client situations. Requirements: ADN or Diploma with two years of professional nursing experience (one year equivalent to Nurse I – Level II), or…