Registered Nurse (Acute Care)

Summary The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking (1) highly skilled/experienced Registered Nurses to serve within Acute Care. Demonstrates leadership - experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for the management of patient care - human - fiscal/material resources - & the total environment of the unit. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment. Qualifications 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 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 Preferred Education: BSN Preferred Certification(s): ANCC Certification in Medical Surgical Nursing Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - sitting - lifting - carrying - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands - both legs & repeated bending Heavy lifting (45 lbs & over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs & over) Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours) Pushing (up to 4 hours) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (up to 8 hours) Standing (up to 8 hours) Repeated bending (up to 8 hours) Both legs required Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted) The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders Emotional & Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening/testing - as a condition of employment. Duties Durham VAHCS is recruiting Registered Nurses for its Acute Care Service - which is comprised of four inpatient units serving a diverse Veteran population The service includes two telemetry-capable medical-surgical units - a dedicated dementia/cognitive support unit - and a unit with a dedicated oncology/chemotherapy focus Registered Nurses partner with LPN's and Nursing Assistants to provide patient and family centered care in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of clinicians - who support patients and families in decision-making The interdisciplinary needs of patients and families are met through collaboration with ancillary services to include Pharmacy - Laboratory - Dietary - Social Work - Chaplin - and Radiology Specialty Care and services are available through consultation and are utilized as needed to ensure continuity and progression of care Discharge planning and patient/family education is initiated on admission and continues throughout hospitalization Interdisciplinary treatment and discharge planning is conducted bi-weekly during an organized interdisciplinary treatment and discharge planning conference Duties include - but are not limited to: Provide direct - patient-centered nursing care within an assigned acute care unit - including assessment - care planning - implementation - and evaluation Monitor and interpret telemetry/cardiac rhythms and respond appropriately to changes in patient status (telemetry units) Apply dementia-informed care techniques - de-escalation strategies - and behavioral safety protocols to support Veterans with cognitive impairment (dementia unit) Administer chemotherapy and other antineoplastic agents per competency and monitor for treatment-related complications (oncology unit) Administer medications and treatments - monitor patient response - and adjust the care plan in coordination with the interdisciplinary team Educate Veterans and family members/caregivers on diagnosis - treatment plans - and post-discharge needs Document care accurately and timely in the electronic health record in accordance with VA and Joint Commission standards Participate in unit-based quality improvement initiatives - falls prevention - and purposeful rounding Preferred Experience: A minimum of two years successful nursing practice Current or within last 3 years Medical-surgical nursing experience Demonstrated ability to work effectively with patients - families and other members of the interdisciplinary team Demonstrated skills in decision-making - sound clinical judgment and critical-thinking abilities Demonstrated ability to use computer systems in support of patient care delivery 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: Day - Evening - Night (8 hour and 12 hour shifts) - rotating weekend Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr