Registered Nurse - New Graduates

Title: Registered Nurse - New Graduates

State Role

Title:

Registered Nurse I

Hiring Range: $79,260 (Salary commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Western State Hospital is hiring new Registered Nurses. This role is a full-time RN I on a 12‑hour shift two‑week rotating schedule:

• 36 hours one week and 48 hours the following week (or vice‑versa)
• Available shifts: 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.–7:30 a.m.
• Sign‑on bonus of $7,500 for new hires to state service with a one‑year written agreement.

Compensation:
Starting pay $79,260 with increase to $79,572; total compensation including paid time off and benefits begins at $120,408.

Shift differentials:

• 1st shift weekend: –$5.50 per hour
• 2nd shift weekday: –$5.50 per hour; 2nd shift weekend/holidays: –$6.00 per hour
• 3rd shift weekday: –$4.00 per hour; 3rd shift weekend/holidays: –$7.00 per hour

State benefits include 13 paid holidays, 12+ paid vacation days, 9 paid sick days and 4+ paid family personal days per year;
Family Medical Leave;
Short‑ and Long‑term disability coverage;
Low‑cost, comprehensive Anthem or AETNA health insurance;
Group life and optional life insurance;
Flexible Reimbursement accounts.

Other benefits: internships, career ladders and continuing education opportunities, referral bonuses, student loan repayment opportunities, Virginia 529 College Savings Plan, relocation reimbursement, state employee discounts.

Registered Nurses at DBHDS provide advanced psychiatric nursing care for patients with mental health disorders, apply nursing standards, and implement seclusion/ restraints safely.

• Provide direct psychiatric patient care using the nursing process and evidence‑based practices.
• Ensure a safe, secure, and therapeutic milieu by conducting regular rounds, monitoring patient and unit acuity, responding to emergencies, and maintaining accountability for patient and staff safety.
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary treatment planning by observing, assessing, and reporting patient behaviors, interventions, medical changes, and overall well‑being to appropriate clinical staff.
• Administer medications and treatments per hospital policies and maintain accurate documentation of all care delivered.
• Document and communicate patient information clearly through written, verbal, and electronic methods.
• Serve as a role model for recovery principles and professional therapeutic interpersonal interactions across all units.
• Support nursing staff performance management through coaching, mentoring, feedback, training, and ongoing education.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams by engaging in clinical discussions, supporting PSR programming, and contributing to positive team dynamics.
• Maintain compliance with safety, regulatory, and environmental standards, including HIPAA Level One requirements.
• Demonstrate reliability, teamwork, and adaptability, supporting staffing needs and responding flexibly to emergent patient care demands.

• Registered Nurse credential with valid Virginia RN license.
• Ability to delegate and supervise nursing staff.
• Effective written, verbal, and sign communication skills.
• Participation in interdisciplinary teams and experience with assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care.
• Willingness to work overtime, including 16‑hour shifts if necessary.
• Completion of annual competency training, including TOVA III with physical restraints.
• Maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association.
• Knowledge of recovery/trauma‑informed care.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited institution.
• Psychiatric nursing experience.
• Veteran or Veteran Spouse.
• Bilingual in Spanish.

• Sign‑on bonus of $7,500 for new hires.
• Competitive salary and shift differentials.
• Paid time off and comprehensive benefits package.
• Career development opportunities and continuing education.
• Student loan repayment opportunities.
• Virginia 529 College Savings Plan.
• Relocation reimbursement.

The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or pregnancy. No retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. Veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members are encouraged to apply.

Name:
Elizabeth Weber
Phone: 540‑332‑8056
Email: elizabeth.weberginia.gov