Registered Nurse (Emergency Room)

Summary The Emergency Department RN provides and oversees direct patient care using all steps of the nursing process. Responsibilities include coordinating care, educating patients, supporting self‑management, ensuring customer satisfaction, safely administering medications, and collaborating with interdisciplinary team members to achieve optimal care outcomes. Qualifications 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 (ACEN or CCNE) at the time the program was completed. Graduates of 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 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). Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing possessing a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher than an 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 – 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 needs.
• 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 goal setting for managing complex client situations.
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 2 years of professional nursing experience (one year 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 and 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 a related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II, OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II.
• Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Preferred Experience: At least 2 years ED experience within the last 5 years. Physical Requirements: This role requires the ability to perform all duties without restriction. It involves significant standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. Responsibilities include repositioning individuals and assisting with transfers to wheelchairs or stretchers. Mechanical lifting devices must be used when available for heavy or difficult transfers. The work may require lifting or pushing more than 50 pounds and using stairs regularly. Adequate visual and auditory acuity is necessary to provide safe and effective care. The position may require working with arms above shoulder level—or with the neck fully flexed or extended for certain periods. It also requires the ability to maintain physical control or self‑protection if encountering physically aggressive individuals. There may be exposure to infectious patients or contaminated materials—requiring the use of protective clothing during isolation or invasive procedures. Occasionally the role involves interacting with individuals who are combative due to conditions such as delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The individual in this role must be mature, flexible, and capable of working effectively in stressful situations—adjusting priorities as needed. Duties The Emergency Department (ED) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent evidence‑based care to assigned patients. Delegate and supervise basic nursing care of licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel. Assist in the provision of education, orientation, competencies, and quality improvement and outcomes utilization. Provide urgent and emergent care to patients with acute and/or chronic medical, surgical, and psychiatric conditions. Provide stabilization, resuscitation, and life‑support measures. Practice is independent and collaborative. RN practice includes the roles of direct care provider, educator, administrator, researcher, consultant, leader, and advocate. Engage in ongoing evaluation of practice to ensure alignment with current evidence‑based standards. Provide peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement. Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals. Contribute professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team. Partner with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes. Support colleagues by sharing knowledge to promote safe, high‑quality nursing care. Share educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers. Participate in activities and strategies to sustain evidence‑based practice. Assess patients by collecting pertinent data or information—including triage of patients based on the five‑level triage system to prioritize patients that require more immediate care. Utilize assessment data to determine diagnoses, problems, or other concerns. Identify expected outcomes to develop a collaborative and individualized plan for each patient. Care coordination, health teaching, and health promotion. Evaluate progress toward expected goals and outcomes and adjust the plan as necessary. Other duties as assigned. Benefits: 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), Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contribution by VA, Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care, Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory, Work Schedule: Day Shift 0730‑2000 (tours may vary), Compressed/Flexible schedule available, Telework: not available, Virtual: not a virtual position, Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not authorized, Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs