Registered Nurse - Inpatient Acute Care East

Summary

The VA Puget Sound Healthcare System is recruiting for one RN to perform duties with the 5 East Acute Care Inpatient team – an acute surgical unit that includes Orthopedics, Vascular, Cardio-Thoracic, General Surgery, Urology, Ophthalmology, Plastic and GYN Surgery. The majority of patients have secondary medical chronic diagnoses. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program.

• 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 an 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).
• 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 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).
• 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 than 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: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Questionnaire/.
• 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 conditions (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…