Registered Nurse; RN - Emergency Department

Summary

The Emergency Department Registered Nurse (ED RN) position is located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center – Milwaukee, Wisconsin – in the Acute Care Outpatient Division. The ED RN is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.

• English Language Proficiency – Basic written and spoken English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Educational Background
  • Graduate of a professionally accredited nursing school (ACEN or CCNE) at the time of graduation.
  • For master’s‑level bridge program students, completion of coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s level nursing degree.
  • Foreign‑educated graduates must hold a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration from a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia, or have a formal equivalency validated by VA‑accepted evaluation.
• Licensure – Full and unrestricted state license or eligibility to obtain one within the bridge program timeline.
• Specialized Exceptions
  • Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) candidates may begin at the entry step on a temporary 120‑day appointment while pursuing licensure, extendable up to two years.
  • Grandfathering provision applies to current VHA employees performing these duties as of 01/29/2024.
• Grade Determination – Grade scope and dimension requirements are detailed in the online assessment (URL). Summary of levels:
  • Grade I – ADN or Diploma with no extra experience, or BSN with no extra experience.
  • Grade II – Nursing experience ranging from 1 to 2 years, BSN, MSN, or related master’s, as specified.
  • Grade III – Advanced leadership with two years of specialized nursing experience and higher degrees as outlined.
• Preferred Experience
  • BSN preferred; previous ED or critical care RN experience strongly preferred.
  • Emergency Nurse Certification (CEN), BLS, TNCC, ACLS certifications preferred.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, decision‑making, quality‑improvement, patient‑safety, patient‑flow, and change‑management knowledge.
• Physical Requirements
  • Endurance: walk long distances, stand for extended periods (8–12 hours), sustain repetitive movements.
  • Strength: push/pull 50 lb, support 50 lb, lift 50 lb, carry equipment.
  • Mobility: twist, bend, stoop, quickly move, climb stairs.

• Provide and supervise direct patient care in the ED; collaborate on policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Deliver urgent and emergent care to patients with acute, chronic, medical‑surgical, and psychiatric conditions.
• Assess patients, triage using the five‑level system, identify expected outcomes, and develop individualized care plans.
• Provide constructive feedback to peers, share knowledge, foster a safe environment, and support professional development.
• Evaluate evidence‑based outcomes and document results at the service level.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Competitive salary with regular increases and potential performance awards.
• Paid Time Off – up to 50 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays).
• Retirement – traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % employer contribution.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care insurance (some plans transferable into retirement).
• Full, unrestricted state nursing license required.
• Work schedule – days with variable start times; weekend/holiday rotations.
• Telework – not authorized;
  Permanent Change of Station – not authorized.