The LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor is recruiting for a Registered Nurse to join our Inpatient Nursing service.
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/12759532. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. AAVAHCS is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with visits to the Emergency Department and admissions for medical co-morbidities. This position requires the ability to perform the following physical standards & environmental factors: Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds & over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds & over; straight pulling (4 hours); pushing (4 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; walking & standing 8-12 hours; repeated bending 8 hours; both legs required; ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable @ 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aide permitted). Working closely with others; & protracted or irregular hours of work. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Independently planning and delivering technically competent care to patients with complex needs. Safely and effectively using equipment required for patient care. Reporting equipment in need of repair. Recognizing subtle abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately. Making assignments and directing activities of other unit staff, (RNs, LPNs, students, PSAs, other team members). Formulating and implementing a plan of care based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice which includes: completing initial assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and initiating follow-up as needed; including the patient and family/significant other in developing the initial plan of care, establishing goals, and discharge planning; updating plan of care as needed based on patient responses; assessing patient's learning needs, learning preference, and readiness to learn; and developing and implementing a plan to meet learning needs, instructing patients and families in educational needs and discharge planning. Documenting the nursing process. Documentation is technically informative, consistent, accurate, concise, and timely manner. Evaluating and documenting patient response to interventions and progress towards attainment of expected outcomes. Revising plan of care according to evaluations of patient responses. Using the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and the Bar Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software per policy. Managing nursing care of patients. Functioning as charge nurse/team leader in providing direction to staff in meeting patient care needs. Ensuring that assigned delegated tasks are completed by team members. Organizing and completing own assignments in a safe and timely manner, assisting team members as necessary. Organizing and prioritizing in order to meet changing patient care needs and staff assignments. Assigning patient care responsibilities based upon patient needs and competencies of staff. Demonstrating grade-appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills. Practice following the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. Treating all patients and families with dignity and respect. Listens to and honors patient and family perspectives and choices. Demonstrating responsibility and accountability for own nursing judgments and actions. Recognizing ethical problems and applies institutional policy in providing patient care. Safeguarding patient privacy and maintaining confidentiality of all electronic and printed patient information according to HIPAA guidelines, the Privacy Act, and as stated in the Medical Center Memo on ADP Security. Assessing patients to determine their needs and making appropriate arrangements or referrals to provide for their needs. Demonstrating compliance with infection control practices, such as hand washing and wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment. Complying with safety rules and regulations for safe job performance and fire protection. Promptly reporting all accidents to supervisor and notifying supervisor promptly of unsafe or unhealthy environmental situations/conditions. Putting broken equipment out of service immediately, tagging it as such, and following through for appropriate disposition of the broken equipment. Conserving resources effectively by using supplies and equipment in a responsible manner. Attending in-services and continuing education programs to improve or enhance skills and knowledge. Participating in self-directed professional and staff development activities. Enhancing performance through self-directed practice, in-services, continuing education, and clinical literature review. 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: Night Shift - 7:30 PM - 8:00 AM and 11:30 PM - 8:00 AM (Note: This position requires 6 12-hour shifts, and 1 8-hour shift per pay period) Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: None Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized