Registered Nurse - Resource Pool/Float

About the role

Join the VA Black Hills Health Care System as a Resource Pool/Float Registered Nurse and bring your skills where they are needed most. Provide direct and indirect nursing care across multiple units — assess and plan individualized care, administer medications and treatments, educate Veterans and families, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. This flexible role offers variety, professional growth, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact throughout the health care system.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This approach 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 in the context of healing relationships, 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and indirect nursing care to Veterans across multiple nursing units based on patient and organizational needs
• Assess patient conditions and develop, implement, and evaluate individualized plans of care using the nursing process
• Administer medications, treatments, and nursing procedures in accordance with established clinical policies and guidelines
• Coordinate care across the continuum with a focus on patient education, self-management, safety, and positive health outcomes
• Engage Veterans, families, and caregivers in care planning by incorporating their needs, preferences, values, and goals into treatment decisions
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to develop, implement, and evaluate coordinated approaches to patient care
• Delegate appropriate elements of nursing care based on patient needs, clinical condition, safety considerations, and the capabilities of team members
• Apply evidence-based practices and participate in unit-based performance improvement activities that enhance quality, effectiveness, and resource-conscious patient care

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 ACEN or CCNE at the time of program completion
• Alternative pathways:
  • Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level 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, may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation (Reference VA Handbook 5005 — Appendix G6)
  • 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 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 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 (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who meet basic education requirements but do not possess 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 (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/13080525

• 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: ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level I; OR 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: 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: BSN with 2 years of professional nursing 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 BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level III; OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR Doctoral degree in a related field with 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. Education: MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience (one equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III); OR Master's degree in related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience (one equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III); OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Doctoral degree in a related field with 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

• BLS/ACLS preferred