Registered Nurse (Emergency Department)

Summary The Acute Care (Emergency Department - ED) Registered Nurse (RN) is a professional nurse who delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills - assesses - plans - implements and evaluates care based on age-specific components. 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 : https : / / apply.usastaffing.gov / ViewQuestionnaire / 12821467 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 : The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult - age 18 - to the elderly adult - age 65 and over This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity The incumbent will be exposed to different alarms and it is critical that incumbent is able to discern different alarms This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling and pushing Transferring patients and objects may be required The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative / invasive procedures 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 - able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Duties The Emergency Department (ED) provides urgent and / or emergent assessment - care and education in a 20-bed unit The ED provides continuous cardiac - O2 and blood pressure monitoring - IV infusion of critical care medications - conscious sedation - intubation - transfers of patients to outside facilities - and assists in consult services - i.e. - psychiatry - wound - cardiology - pulmonary - renal - ID - etc The ED is staffed 24 hours-a-day appropriate to the needs of the patient population served The Emergency Department provides care of patients with following diagnoses : STEMI / MI / Cardiac Disorders COPD / Respiratory Failure GI / Renal / complications of diabetes CVA / Neurological Mental Health : Suicidal / Homicidal - ETOH - Drug abuse Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to : Demonstrates competency and clinical knowledge in assessing - planning - implementing - documenting and evaluating the patients presenting to the Emergency Department Provides care - as needed - respecting patient's personal values - cultural and belief system Provides effective - compassionate delivery of health services congruent with the health care system mission and vision Supports the facilities EEO / affirmative action programs by executing assigned duties and responsibilities in a professional manner Acts as a client advocate Collects current symptoms - as well as a detailed patient history and then consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess - plan - implement and evaluate patient care plans Performs triage - while considering both physical and psychosocial elements Manages basic life support needs and stabilizes patients until the attending physician is available - based upon nursing standards and protocol Initiates corrective action whenever information from monitoring equipment shows adverse symptomatology Records patients' current vital signs Works directly under physicians - assisting them during exams - diagnostic testing and treatments Prepares and administers (orally - subcutaneously - through an IV) and records prescribed medications Reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with the policy regarding the administration of medications by a licensed registered nurse Maintains proper supplies and appropriate medical equipment to care for patients Initiates patient education plan - as prescribed by physician Teaches patients and significant others how to manage their illness / injury - by explaining : post-treatment home care needs - diet / nutrition / exercise programs - self-administration of medication and rehabilitation - as well as provides referrals to other healthcare professionals for follow-up treatment Displays professionalism while completing multiple urgent tasks in a timely manner Records all care information concisely - accurately and completely - in a timely manner - in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms 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 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 : Varies - must accept all shifts Telework : Not Available Virtual : This is not a virtual position Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not Required