Registered Nurse; Operating Room

The Operating Room Registered Nurse is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care for the patient undergoing a surgical/invasive procedure as well as plan, direct, and coordinate the care of every patient undergoing operative and other invasive procedures.

• 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. Must be approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following:
  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 may be appointed on a temporary basis if they complete coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing. 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. Credit for foreign nursing education higher than associate/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.

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 in the online assessment. ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Questionnaire/)

Summary of Grade Levels:

• Nurse I, Level I: Fundamental, knowledge‑based care with technical competencies.
  
  Education:
  
  Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing.
• Nurse I, Level II: Integration of biopsychosocial concepts.
  
  Education:
  
  ADN or Diploma with 1 year of specialized experience, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Nurse I, Level III: Proficiency in practice based on planning.
  
  Education:
  
  ADN with 2 years of experience, or BSN with 1 year experience, or Master’s (MSN) with no additional experience, or Master’s in a related field with BSN.
• Nurse II: Leadership in holistic care.
  
  Education:
  
  BSN with 2 years of experience, or MSN with 1 year experience, or Master’s in a related field with BSN and 1 year experience, or Doctoral in Nursing with no experience, or Doctoral in related field with BSN and no experience.
• Nurse III: Leadership and complex client care.
  
  Education:
  
  MSN with 2 years of specialized experience (including Nurse II equivalent), or related Master’s with BSN and 2 years experience, or Doctoral in Nursing with 1 year experience, or Doctoral in related field with BSN and 1 year experience.

* Note:

Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Preferred…