Registered Nurse Primary Care

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications is Monday, November 30, 2026 and applicants will be referred on an 'as needed' basis thereafter. Announcement will remain open through 09/30/2027 but may be extended or closed after the initial cut-off date if needed prior to the initial closing date.

Duties

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurses to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care to our nation's Veterans. As a VA RN, you will play a vital role in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care for a diverse patient population. You will work within an interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote health, prevent disease, and manage acute and chronic health conditions. Primary responsibilities include, but may not be limited to: Provide direct and indirect patient care, ensuring adherence to established nursing standards, policies, and procedures. Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments, identify patient needs, and develop individualized care plans in collaboration with the healthcare team, Veterans, and their families. Administer medications and treatments as prescribed, monitor patient responses, and take appropriate action in accordance with VA guidelines. Educate Veterans and their families on health conditions, medications, treatment plans, and self-care strategies to promote optimal health outcomes. Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough electronic health records (EHR) documentation. Utilize critical thinking skills to anticipate and respond to changes in patient conditions, initiating appropriate interventions and escalating concerns as necessary. Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure coordinated and holistic patient care. Adhere to all safety protocols and infection control practices. Serve as a patient advocate, ensuring ethical considerations and Veterans' rights are respected. Engage in continuous professional development and participate in quality improvement initiatives. We are recruiting for the following specialties: Critical Care (ICU, SICU, Recovery, OR): Manages complex patient cases requiring advanced monitoring, life support, and rapid intervention. Outpatient (Primary Care, CBOC, Mental Health): Focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, chronic disease management, and patient education in clinics. Inpatient (Med/Surg, Mental Health, CLC): Provides direct care for hospitalized Veterans, managing a variety of medical, surgical, or psychiatric conditions. Emergency Room (ER): Provides rapid assessment and treatment for patient's presenting with acute, life threatening, or urgent medical, surgical and psychiatric conditions, in a fast-paced environment. 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: Multiple Schedules-Full-time, Part-time, and/or Intermittent schedules may be available. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized EDRP: Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

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/13105044. 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 prac