Registered Nurse- Critical Care/Progressive Care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Topeka, KS, United States
Summary
The Registered Nurse (RN) delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. The incumbent assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care based on age‑specific components. The RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
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 by the applicant: 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 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)
Individuals graduating from 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 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: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12943330
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 a 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 2-3 years of Critical Care experience
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification – Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements:
Heavy Lifting (35 pounds and over)
Heavy Carrying (35 pounds and over)
Straight pulling and/or Pushing (up to 6-8 hours)
Reaching above shoulder
Use of fingers
Both Hands required
Walking (up to 6-8 hours)
Standing (up to 4 hours)
Sitting (up to 1 hour)
Kneeling
Repeated bending (up to 1 hour)
Both legs required
Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
Hearing (aid permitted)
Ability to hear whispered voice
Emotional stability
Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
Duties
The Nurse I – Level 1 Critical Care‑Progressive Care Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse’s obligation to provide optimal care.
The focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self‑direction.
Ability to formulate a plan of care based on nursing assessments.
Seeks guidance on how to improve care provided to patients and families.
Delegates elements of care to the appropriate individual based upon assessed needs – condition – and safety of the patient.
The nurse brings principles and theory with limited application of critical thinking skills.
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 401(k) 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: Nights with weekends and holidays; Compressed/Flexible: To be discussed during interview.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
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The Registered Nurse (RN) delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. The incumbent assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care based on age‑specific components. The RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
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 by the applicant: 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 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)
Individuals graduating from 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 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: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12943330
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 a 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 2-3 years of Critical Care experience
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification – Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements:
Heavy Lifting (35 pounds and over)
Heavy Carrying (35 pounds and over)
Straight pulling and/or Pushing (up to 6-8 hours)
Reaching above shoulder
Use of fingers
Both Hands required
Walking (up to 6-8 hours)
Standing (up to 4 hours)
Sitting (up to 1 hour)
Kneeling
Repeated bending (up to 1 hour)
Both legs required
Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
Hearing (aid permitted)
Ability to hear whispered voice
Emotional stability
Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
Duties
The Nurse I – Level 1 Critical Care‑Progressive Care Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse’s obligation to provide optimal care.
The focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self‑direction.
Ability to formulate a plan of care based on nursing assessments.
Seeks guidance on how to improve care provided to patients and families.
Delegates elements of care to the appropriate individual based upon assessed needs – condition – and safety of the patient.
The nurse brings principles and theory with limited application of critical thinking skills.
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 401(k) 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: Nights with weekends and holidays; Compressed/Flexible: To be discussed during interview.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
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