Registered Nurse - Emergency Department

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) & 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 ineligible to apply.

Duties

The James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital (JAHVH) is seeking energetic and dedicated Registered Nurses to join the Emergency Department (ED) team. Candidates should be passionate about fast-paced, patient-centered care and committed to supporting veterans in urgent and emergent situations. The ED offers opportunities to work with diverse clinical cases, collaborate with an interdisciplinary healthcare team, and contribute to high-quality emergency services within a major VA healthcare system. Duties include, but are not limited to: - Perform rapid triage and initial assessments for patients presenting with emergent, urgent, or complex conditions in a fast-paced environment - Provide immediate stabilization and emergency interventions such as airway management, cardiac monitoring, IV access, and medication administration. - Respond to and participate in critical events including Code Blue, Rapid Response, stroke alerts, and trauma activations. - Continuously monitor patient conditions, interpret vital signs, recognize deterioration, and initiate appropriate interventions. - Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary team members including physicians, nurse practitioners, paramedics, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and social workers. - Administer medications safely, including high-alert medications, following VA policies and emergency protocols. - Utilize advanced nursing skills such as EKG interpretation, wound care, splinting, and management of specialized equipment (e.g., infusion pumps, cardiac monitors). - Prioritize care based on patient acuity, clinical judgment, and rapidly changing ED conditions. - Provide patient and family education regarding care plans, discharge instructions, prescriptions, and follow-up needs. - Ensure timely, accurate documentation in the electronic health record and maintain compliance with VA charting standards. - Maintain strict adherence to infection control, patient safety, and emergency preparedness procedures.- Assist with patient flow management, including bed placement coordination, safe transport, and discharge processes. - Participate in department quality-improvement activities, audits, safety initiatives, and staff development programs. - Serve as a resource for less experienced staff and contribute to a supportive, teamwork-oriented environment. - Demonstrate emotional resilience, professionalism, and sound judgment during high-stress and high-volume patient care situations. - Follow all VA policies, protocols, and clinical guidelines related to emergency nursing 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: Rotating shifts to support 24/7 Emergency Department operations, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: 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/13067447. 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 cli