Summary The National EHRM Supplemental Staffing Unit (NESSU) Inpatient Registered Nurse - Travel (100%) NESSU Inpatient Registered Nurse works as an Acute Care Traveling Nurse at sites as VA facilities transition to the new Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR). Provides clinical support at sites needing supplemental staffing, ensuring continuity and quality of care for Veterans throughout the EHR implementation.
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General Description of Assigned Duties: The NESSU Inpatient Staff Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific and population-based needs. Responsibilities include coordinating care focused on patient education, self-management, and satisfaction throughout the continuum of care; administering medications and procedures per established policies; and collaborating with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes. The incumbent demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches in managing complex patient care.
Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: - Executes position responsibilities that reflect leadership and creative management of complex patients.
- Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Demonstrates broad leadership and performance to improve care for groups of patients.
- Provides constructive formal and informal feedback to peers and supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to promote safe, high-quality nursing care.
- Fosters a safe, supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.
- Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations.
- Responsible for achieving and documenting broad and complex program or service level outcomes, which may occur at any organizational level within a facility.
These duties support the overall mission of the Veterans Health Administration to provide improved access and high-quality care to Veterans, which is our top priority.
Supervisory Controls: - Reports to the assigned rating and approving supervisors with accountability to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS) at the host facility.
- Receives direct clinical supervision from the NESSU Inpatient Nurse Manager and Chief Nurse, located within the host Clinical Resource Hub.
- Administrative supervision is matrixed to the NESSU Associate Director for Clinical Operations.
- While on assignment at local sites, reports to the designated shift supervisor, who provides immediate supervision, assigns duties, instructs, and plans shift work.
- The NESSU Inpatient Nurse Manager assigns schedules, approves leave, completes performance evaluations, and collaborates with site management.
- Final accountability for nursing practice rests with the Associate Director of Patient Care Services at the host site.
(Refer to the service Organizational Chart for detailed supervisory and clinical reporting structure.)
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: Various shift schedules available, including day, evening, and night tours during the week, with coverage required for weekends and holidays. This position requires availability for WHEN (Weekends, Holidays, Evenings, and Nights) hours.
Telework: Available at supervisory discretion.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Duty location: Based on the applicant's current residence. With the Return to Office (RTO) exemption pending, applicants must reside within 50 miles of any VA medical center.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO) : Not Authorized
Requirements Help
Conditions of employment - U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
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 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.
Preferred Experience: This role requires recent (within the past three years) clinical experience in Acute Care, Critical Care, Step-down, Medical, Surgical, Emergency Department, or Community Living Center (CLC) settings. The position is a 100% travel assignment and involves deployment to facilities nationwide.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, adequate auditory perception, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially extended periods of computer use, virtual care equipment use, sitting and/or standing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must meet Employee Health mandates as a condition of employment. This position may require occasional travel to facilities and sites within and outside of the VISN to meet patient care and organizational needs.
Education Education: Must be a graduate of a school of professional nursing.
Accreditation Requirement: Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following organizations at the time the program was completed:
- The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, master's, post-master's certificate, baccalaureate, associate, and diploma programs. Note: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) changed its name to ACEN in May 2013. ACEN's website can be used to verify accredited programs. For accreditation verification prior to 1998, contact ACEN directly via the email information on their website.
- The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)655 K Street NW, Suite 7, Washington, DC 20001The CCNE, an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), accredits nursing programs at the baccalaureate and master's levels.
Nurse III Requirements: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and innovative approaches to managing complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.
Education and Experience: Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
i.
Master's degree in nursing and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimensions required for Nurse III.
OR ii.
Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimensions required for Nurse III.
OR iii.
Doctorate degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.
OR iv.
Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing, and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.
Additional information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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