Nurse (Emergency Department)

Summary

The Emergency Department (ED) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with the interdisciplinary team.

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/12998667

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 client situations

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2

OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2

OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience

OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience

Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others

A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3

OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3

OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3

OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience

OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience

Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting

MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III

OR a Master's degree in related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III

OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III

OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III

Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees

Preferred Experience Preferred BLS Provider Card Preferred ACLS Provider Card Preferred Five (5) years of Emergency Department RN experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others

Depending on the essential duties of a specific position - usable vision - color vision - hearing or speech may be required

However - in most cases - a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid

This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care

and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting

repeated bending - or kneeling

Examples may include - but are not limited to: significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

Duties

The Emergency Department Registered Nurse is responsible for: Providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients

They delegate and supervise basic nursing care of licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel

The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization

Provides urgent and emergent care to patients with acute and/or chronic medical - surgical - and psychiatric conditions

Nursing care ranges from basic nursing care to stabilization - resuscitation - and life-support measures

Emergency nursing practice is independent and collaborative

The ED RN practice includes the roles of direct care provider - educator - administrator - researcher - consultant - leader - and advocate

Evaluates practice in an ongoing process - based on best evidence

Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement

Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals

Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team

Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes

Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care

Shares educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers

Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care

Participates in activities and strategies to sustain evidence-based-practice

The ED RN is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing care

They assess the patient by collecting pertinent data or information - including the triage of patients based on the five-level triage system to prioritize patients that require more immediate care

They use the assessment data to determine diagnoses - problems - or other concerns

They will identify expected outcomes to develop a collaborative and individualized plan for each patient

The ED RN will implement that plan - including care coordination - health teaching - and health promotion

They evaluate the progress toward achieving the expected goal and outcomes and adjusts the plan as necessary

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: Variable Tours with Rotating Weekends and Holidays Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized