The Acute Care (3-West) Registered Nurse manages the care of the acutely ill postoperative surgical, neurology, and medicine patient(s) as well as, coordinates and facilitates care to restore stability, minimize complications, and achieve optimal patient outcome within a dynamic, acute care environment. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. It requires restraining confused patients, assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers/cars, and transporting them to other departments or facilities. Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The Registered Nurse may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. This position requires visual acuity, good hearing, distinctive speech and manual dexterity. The position requires the Registered Nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients. ["The Registered Nurse on Acute Care (3-West) is accountable for the provision of patient care on 3-West and is directly responsible to the Nurse Manager. You must work effectively as a team member and must be able to communicate, listen, report, and gather crucial data in a manner that enhances patients outcomes. The Unit supports professional growth through education activities, attendance and participation or unit or hospital committees, Quality Improvement projects, or membership in professional organizations. This inpatient unit operates 24 hours per day 7 days a week caring for veteran patients. All 3-West RN's are hired for and are subject to a rotating work schedule, to include the dayshift, evening shift, nightshift, and holidays - It may be rotated according to the patients' and unit's needs. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards MAJOR DUTIES: Complete admission assessment on assigned patients within 24 hours of admission Conduct ongoing and/or urgent reassessments to determine rapidly changing conditions of patients Verify physician orders using CPRS Take telephone orders per policy Complete patient care plans according to policy Plan for discharge/transfer of patients including completing discharge/transfer note in CPRS Administer medications and documents in BCMA Provide individualized patient care Proactive in identifying potential crisis situations and respond appropriately in emergency/code situations Initiate referrals and/or consultations Function independently in performing more complex treatments, procedures and advanced technology specific to the scope on 3-West (all surgical specialties and neurology) Perform procedures within his/her scope of practice and unit based competencies Monitor LVAD and cardiac monitored patients. Work with Telemetry Tech to detect arrhythmias and implement appropriate interventions defined by unit policy Perform blood draws and venipuncture for administration of IV fluids, administer IV fluids, IV push medications, TPN and blood products according to policy Set up and monitor PCA pumps Perform complex wound and ostomy care Promote and provide health care teaching to patients and significant others Monitor and interpret cardiac rhythms Administer IV medications, titrate according to MD's order and the patients' needs Function competently as a modular leader and/or charge nurse Make patient assignments and complete 24 hour report and communicate shift report Demonstrate ability to manage the daily routine operations related to patient care on the clinical unit Delegate duties/patient care activities to LPN/SNT/HT based on scope of practice and complexity of patients taking into consideration skill level of staff Obtain supplemental staff as needed considering patient acuities, unit census, staffing mix, etc Participate in clinical supervision of nursing staff, nursing students, and new hire 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 Schedule Compressed/Flexible: Determined by Supervisor Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Authorized - Please contact Liz.Licea@va.gov and Mykia.Hopkins@va.gov Financial Disclosure Report: Not required PAY DIFFERENTIAL: Weekday Nights - 10% Additional Weekend Shifts - 25% Additional"]

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