Registered Nurse - Critical Care

Critical Care Registered Nurse

Build your critical care nursing career in a mission-driven environment where clinical skill, teamwork, and compassion directly influence the lives of Veterans. As a Critical Care Registered Nurse, you will support patients with complex and rapidly changing conditions while partnering with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to coordinate safe, responsive care. This position offers opportunities to strengthen specialized ICU and emergency nursing competencies, expand clinical judgment, and contribute to evidence-based practices that improve patient safety, recovery, independence, and the overall Veteran experience. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assess critically ill Veterans and develop, implement, and evaluate individualized nursing plans that respond to changing clinical needs.
• Deliver direct critical care nursing services, including hemodynamic monitoring and cardiovascular medication management, in accordance with established clinical guidance.
• Administer medications, treatments, and procedures safely while monitoring patient responses and adjusting care in collaboration with the clinical team.
• Coordinate care across the continuum, emphasizing patient education, self-management, safety, and continuity of services.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to identify priorities, support timely interventions, and improve patient outcomes.
• Engage Veterans, families, and caregivers in care planning by incorporating their needs, preferences, values, and health goals.
• Delegate appropriate elements of care based on patient condition, assessed needs, staff capabilities, and safety considerations.
• Apply evidence-based nursing practices, infection-prevention techniques, and unit-level improvement activities to strengthen the quality and efficiency of care.

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: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

Work Schedule: Rotating 12-Hour Shifts Day Shift: 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Night Shift: 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Compressed/Flexible: Available

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.