Summary

Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.

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
• Preferred Experience: Oncology experience Acute Care experience
• 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/12736053
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs.)
• Pushing
• Straight pulling
• Pulling hand over hand
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 6 hours)
• Standing (up to 6 hours)
• Kneeling (Intermittent);Repeated bending (up to 6 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13 " to 16"
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 an to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotional and Mental Stability.

Duties

• Duties Include but not limited to: The Inpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting
• The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
• Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• Evaluates practice in an ongoing process - based on best evidence
• Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
• Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team
• Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes
• Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• Shares educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers
• Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care
• Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based-practice culture
• DIMENSIONS OF NURSING PRACTICEPRACTICE: Leads professional practice using the nursing process (assessment - diagnosis - outcome identification - planning - implementation - and evaluation) to improve evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes for an identified patient population and/or specialized areas within immediate practice setting
• Expectations: 1
• Leads the provision of nursing care to patients with complex care needs utilizing the nursing process in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice
• 2
• Applies clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning - decision-making - and evaluating outcomes within the immediate practice setting
• 3
• Effectively functions as a leader - with demonstrated outcomes - for the immediate practice setting
• VETERAN/PATIENT DRIVEN CARE: Improves Veteran/patient driven care by optimizing the patient experience - satisfaction and/or safety for the immediate practice setting
• Expectations: 1
• Improves Veteran/patient driven care by resolving experience issues such as coordination of care - timeliness or process issues - common themes of dissatisfaction - or environment of care concerns for the immediate practice setting
• 2
• Applies patient - family - and caregiver knowledge - values - and beliefs into care delivery without judgement or discrimination
• 3
• Serves as an advocate for patients - families - and caregivers - improving outcomes for the immediate practice setting
• 4
• Serves as a resource for patients - caregivers - and staff to address and resolve ethical issues in the immediate practice setting
• 5
• Leads the implementation of high reliability principles and I CARE values to increase consistency of care delivered and improve patient outcomes
• LEADERSHIP: Communicates and collaborates as an effective leader of the interprofessional team - at the expert level - with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes for the immediate practice setting
• Expectations: 1
• Demonstrates the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others - to inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting
• 2
• Leads teams - contributes to team conferences - and actively collaborates in all phases of patient care planning
• Successfully integrates objectives - opportunities - and resources
• 3
• Considers alternative courses of action
• Respects the opinions - abilities - and contributions of others
• Encourages individual growth and development
• 4
• Effectively sets group goals and keeps self and team informed of the latest trends and developments
• Inspires the cooperation and confidence of others
• Demonstrates a high level of expertise
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Expands knowledge base and practice evaluation through mentoring - precepting - and/or teaching to improve outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• Expectations: 1
• Expands knowledge base and practice evaluation through mentoring - precepting - and/or teaching to improve outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• 2
• Leads education initiatives to expand knowledge with improved outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• 3
• Takes responsibility for personal and professional career goals
• Supports the professional growth of others
• 4
• Participates in the advancement of the profession through mentoring - precepting - and/or teaching
• Work Schedule: 0630 - 1900 - or depending on facility needs