Registered Nurse

Summary

This is an Open Continuous Announcement until 9/30/2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. This announcement may be used to fill current and future vacancies within all departments, all specialties, and at all locations covered by the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Duties

This announcement may be used to fill various positions. You must choose which duty location and department you wish to be considered for. You may select multiple duty locations and departments, but you must select at least one when you apply. You will be considered for the duty location(s)/department(s) that you select when you apply. Note: There may not be any current vacancies at the time of this announcement, however, applicants may be considered for future vacancies that become available until the announcement closes. Some positions may be eligible for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with 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 complete review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. The RN will demonstrate leadership when providing nursing care and serve as a role model when assigned as team leader or charge nurse under the supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee. The Registered Nurse is responsible for managing and delivering care for complex patients care. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Implements nursing orders in a timely and accurate manner for patients with complex nursing care needs. Implements physician's orders in a timely and accurate manner, initiating resolution if impeded. Includes patient/family/significant other/health care provider in establishing realistic, measurable goals related to health education and treatment plan, seeking assistance as needed. Meets individual learning and discharge preparation needs by using appropriate resource personnel and approved educational materials. Documents nursing process including patient/family/significant other education and discharge planning in a timely manner. Assess/documents the patient's response to nursing intervention, anticipates potential changes in patient condition and response to treatment, initiating appropriate action and revising the care plan accordingly. Updates assessments on a continuum by recognizing changes in patient's needs and reestablishing priorities for care. Demonstrates competency/proficiency using the nursing process in providing care for patients with complex nursing care needs. Guide and directs others who provide care. Participates in established quality improvement studies and/or activities. Conducts self-assessment of performance and identifies own learning needs. Implements an ongoing educational plan to support own professional development. Refers to, consults with, and makes provision for continuity of care with other health care providers. Uses a body of research to validate and/or change own professional practice. Delegates care in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner. Assists patients in identifying and securing appropriate services. All other duties dictated by patient care. 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: Various work schedules available. Some positions may require rotating call coverage, weekdays, nights, weekends and/or holidays. The supervisor will determine the actual work schedule (FT, PT, Intermittent & the specific work shift) upon selection based on the needs of the organization. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized for certain positions: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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/13031307. 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 nursin