Registered Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate shift reports - warm hand-offs - and nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• Use therapeutic communication techniques - practice de-escalation techniques - and utilize recovery-oriented language
• Participate in MH interdisciplinary treatment team - MH Environment of Care rounds - assume team lead for psychiatric emergencies - report and assist in resolving safety concerns - and document nursing assessments - nursing plan of care - patient safety observations - and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy
• Maintain professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and provide quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
• Provide peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
• Contribute professional nursing perspective in discussions with the MH interdisciplinary team
• Support colleagues through MH knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• Share MH educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers
• Participate in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based MH practice culture

Requirements

• English Language Proficiency
• 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)
• 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
• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements
• 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.)
• 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

Skills

• Leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• Proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• Knowledge of evidence-based care
• Ability to facilitate shift reports - warm hand-offs - and nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• Therapeutic communication techniques
• De-escalation techniques
• Recovery-oriented language
• Professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities
• Assist in directing the provision of nursing education
• Informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Foster a safe and supportive environment
• Contribute professional nursing perspective in discussions with the MH interdisciplinary team
• Support colleagues through MH knowledge sharing
• Share MH educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers
• Participate in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based MH practice culture

Benefits

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package including competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards - paid time off - retirement - federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) - insurance - telework - virtual - relocation/recruitment incentives - and PCS.

Pay

Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards

Schedule

Varying/rotating - 7:30am-8:00pm7:30am-4:00pm3:30p-midnight7:30pm-8ammidnight-8:00am 72/80 Schedule Eligibility: After successful completion of unit orientation (40 hours per week required until successful completion of orientation).

Adherence to hospital policy and procedures - including leave policy required to qualify for 72/80.12 hour tours required with 72/80 schedules

Further details will be discussed during interview process

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive

Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance

Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.