Registered Nurse (Acute Care Medical-Surgical Unit)

Quick Facts

• Role: Registered Nurse for an inpatient acute care medical-surgical unit

• Focus: Direct patient care, nursing process accountability, and care coordination

• EDRP: Eligible if you meet VHA Education Debt Reduction Program requirements and submit your application within four months of appointment

Description

You will provide and/or supervise direct patient care, administering medications and procedures according to established policies. You will coordinate care with an emphasis on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction, while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to improve outcomes. The role also includes leadership in unit quality improvement and sustaining an evidence-based practice culture.

Responsibilities

• Deliver competent, evidence-based care to assigned inpatient patients

• Administer medications and procedures per policy and guidelines

• Coordinate patient education and support self-management across the care continuum

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes

• Oversee licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate

• Assist with nursing education, orientation, competencies, and outcomes utilization consultation

• Participate in unit/program quality improvement and evidence-based practice initiatives

• Evaluate practice using best evidence and provide peers informal constructive feedback

• Foster a safe and supportive environment for professional development

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular increases and potential performance awards

• Paid time off: 50 days/year (annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays)

• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5-year vesting) and federal 401K (up to 5% VA contribution)

• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many plans portable into retirement)

• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory

• Work schedule: six 12-hour shifts and one 8-hour shift per pay period

• EDRP: Award amount and eligibility period determined after application review (up to $200,000; one to five years)

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non-citizens only if VA cannot recruit qualified citizens under VA policy)

• English language proficiency (basic written and spoken English)

• Graduate of an approved nursing program (ACEN/CCNE) OR meet VA education equivalency pathways

• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in the U.S. state/territory/commonwealth (or DC)

• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Complete VA online onboarding and provide required identification (REAL ID compliant after May 7, 2025)

• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program

• Selective Service registration required for eligible males

• May be required to complete a probationary period