Registered Nurse - Critical Care (SCU)

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) — a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval — award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) — is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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 proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) at the time the program was completed.
• Alternative pathways:
  • Individuals attending a master's‑level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Nursing may 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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program.
  • Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing: possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration meets the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree/entry‑level nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher than associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA (e.g., International Consultants of Delaware).
• Licensure: Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (including Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who 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).
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons currently employed in VHA in the 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). 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/13085156

• Nurse I – Level I: Delivers fundamental, knowledge‑based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. Education: Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing experience 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 needs. Education/Experience: ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level I; 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. Education/Experience: ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience (one year equivalent to Nurse I – Level II); OR BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level II; OR Master's degree in nursing (MSN) with no additional professional nursing experience; OR 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. Education/Experience: BSN with 2 years of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III; OR MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III; OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience