Registered Nurse - Night Shift (Mental Health)

Summary: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

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 and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed: the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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 an 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)

For 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 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 U.S. state, territory or Commonwealth (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 (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification.

Preferred Experience: BSN Mental Health experience.

Grade Determinations: The following scope‑education and dimension criteria must be met to determine the grade assignment 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 in the online assessment:

Grade/Level Scope: Includes Nurse I, II and III; each level has specific education, licensure and experience requirements. Detailed requirements are listed in the qualification standard.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

Your role operates in a model with three core elements – seeking to create a personalized health plan for each veteran in the context of healing relationships, healing environments and a connection back to the veteran’s community.

Duties of the Registered Nurse – Inpatient Mental Health include, but are not limited to, providing and leading the provision of competent, evidence‑based care.

Independently provide patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care, milieu management and maintain self‑awareness while caring for patients living with mental health conditions.

Facilitate shift reports, warm hand‑offs and nurse‑led psychoeducational groups.

Use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de‑escalation techniques and utilize recovery‑oriented language.

Actively participate in the mental health interdisciplinary treatment team, attend mental health environment rounds, assume team lead for psychiatric emergencies, report and assist in resolving safety concerns, and document nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy.

Assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality‑improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.

Contribute a professional nursing perspective in discussions with the mental health interdisciplinary team.

Participate in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence‑based mental health practice lifestyle.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: Competitive salary with regular increases and potential for performance awards; 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays); traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions; federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care insurance that can be carried into retirement; 1 full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory; day/night or straight night shifts available including rotating weekends and holidays; not a virtual position; no relocation or recruitment incentives; EDRP authorized – former participants ineligible.

Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions or assistance.

Learn more: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) not available.

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