Acute Care Registered Nurse

Quick Facts

• Role: Inpatient Staff Registered Nurse – Acute Care
• Setting: Acute care medical/surgical units
• Focus: Direct patient care and coordination across the continuum of care

Description

The Acute Care Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The role coordinates care with an emphasis on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Acute Care Units specialize in medical/surgical care for a range of patients.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ biopsychosocial needs
• Formulate a plan of care based on nursing and healthcare team assessments
• Evaluate patient status and response to care
• Recognize actual or potential changes in condition and initiate appropriate action; revise the care plan as needed
• Initiate effective, appropriate, and safe actions in emergencies; recognize medical/psychiatric emergencies and guide others
• Provide courteous care that demonstrates dignity and respect
• Safeguard confidential information within the scope of duties
• Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies
• Evaluate practice using best evidence; foster a safe, supportive environment for professional development
• Contribute the nursing perspective in interdisciplinary team discussions
• Share educational findings and experiences with peers; support evidence-based-practice culture

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non-citizens only if VA cannot recruit qualified citizens)
• Basic English proficiency for direct patient care
• Graduate of an approved professional nursing program (ACEN or CCNE) OR meet VA bridge-program/foreign-education requirements
• Current, full, active, unrestricted RN licensure in a U.S. state/territory/DC (or GNT exception while pursuing licensure)
• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation; complete online onboarding and required documents
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Comply with required seasonal influenza vaccination program
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements (e.g., TB screening/testing)

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for performance awards
• Paid Time Off: 50 days/year (26 annual leave, 13 sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays)
• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K (up to 5% VA contributions)
• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many can be carried into retirement)
• Work schedule: day or night shift available (0730–2000 and 1930–0800) with alternating weekends
• Telework: not available; not a virtual position
• EDRP: Authorized student loan repayment support subject to eligibility and application within 4 months of appointment