Registered Nurse

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications is Friday - May 29 - 2026 and applicants will be referred on an 'as needed' basis thereafter. Announcement will remain open through 08/24/2026 but may be extended or closed after the initial cut-off date if needed prior to the initial closing date. Note: Vacancies may not currently exist at all locations - but may later prior to the closing date. Applicants will be notified at time of referral.

Qualifications

VA Health Professional Trainees (HPT) pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. A HPT is an individual appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or receiving VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC).

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 and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: 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 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 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 that 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:
• 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
• 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 practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• 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 Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• 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 specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of this position are concerned with the mental and physical ability of the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and may include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies.

Duties

• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurses to provide comprehensive - patient-centered care to our nation's Veterans
• As a VA RN - you will play a vital role in assessing - planning - implementing - and evaluating nursing care for a diverse patient population
• You will work within an interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote health - prevent disease - and manage acute and chronic health conditions
• Registered Nurses will be assigned to interested facilities throughout VHA and may be permanently or temporarily (not to exceed 1-year) appointed on intermittent - part-time - or full-time schedule in support of the VA facilities across the Nation
• Primary responsibilities include - but may not be limited to: Provide direct and indirect patient care - ensuring adherence to established nursing standards - policies - and procedures
• Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments - identify patient needs - and develop individualized care plans in collaboration with the healthcare team - Veterans - and their families
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed - monitor patient responses - and take appropriate action in accordance with VA guidelines
• Educate Veterans and their families on health conditions - medications - treatment plans - and self-care strategies to promote optimal health outcomes
• Maintain accurate - timely - and thorough electronic health records (EHR) documentation
• Utilize critical thinking skills to anticipate and respond to changes in patient conditions - initiating appropriate interventions and escalating concerns as necessary
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure coordinated and holistic patient care
• Adhere to all safety protocols and infection control practices
• Serve as a patient advocate - ensuring ethical considerations and Veterans' rights are respected
• Engage in continuous professional development and participate in quality improvement initiatives
• We are recruiting for the following specialties: Critical Care (ICU - SICU - Recovery - OR - ER): Manages complex patient cases requiring advanced monitoring - life support - and rapid intervention
• Outpatient (Primary Care - CBOC - Mental Health): Focuses on health promotion - disease prevention - chronic disease management - and patient education in clinics
• Inpatient (Med/Surg - Mental Health - CLC): Provides direct care for hospitalized Veterans - managing a variety of medical - surgical - or psychiatric conditions
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: One (1) full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: A variety of work schedules are available
• Work schedule will be determined upon selection
• NOTE: May be expected to work rotating weekends and holidays
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Registered Nurses selected for the following specialties are eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan reimbursement program: Inpatient Community Living Center - Inpatient Mental Health - Critical Care - and Outpatient Mental Health
• You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your application within four months of appointment
• Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.