Registered Nurse - Caregiver Support Coordinator

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. The accreditation must be by 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 may become registered 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); 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 appointment as a nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry‑level nursing education program.
  
  Credit for foreign nursing education higher than an 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 U.S. state, territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) exception: candidates who meet the basic education requirements but lack 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 the 0610 series and performing the duties 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.

The Scope, Education, and Dimension criteria for grade determination are detailed for each grade and level. Below are the key responsibilities and educational requirements for each grade:

• Nurse I, Level I
  • Scope:
    Delivers fundamental, knowledge‑based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.
  • Education:
    
    An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.
• Nurse I, Level II
  • Scope:
    Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex conditions.
  • Education:
    
    An 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
  • Scope:
    Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self‑directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.
  • Education:
    
    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
  • Scope:
    Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
  • Education:
    
    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…