Registered Nurse - Long Term Care

Registered Nurse - Long Term Care

Summary

The RN displays knowledge and ability in providing a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. The RN serves as a responsible member of the nursing team and interacts with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care, and with members of other services.

Qualifications

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 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)
The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration
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: A Pre-employment physical will be required.

Duties

'VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards DUTIES MAY INCLUDE HOWEVER ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: 1.
Delivers safe care to assigned patients, while developing technical competencies.
1.1.
Safely and effectively uses patient care equipment.
1.2.
Correctly and safely performs nursing procedures.
1.3.
Recognizes overt abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately.
1.4.
Implements physician's/provider's orders in a timely and complete manner.
1.5.
Implements nursing interventions/orders in a timely and complete manner.
1.6.
Requests assistance from co-workers when needed; knows when to ask for help.
1.7 Identifies patients exhibiting disruptive, threatening & violent behavior or suicidal (DTV) behavior and initiates appropriate interventions.
2.
Formulates a plan of care based on nursing assessments, using the nursing process, based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice.
2.1.
Completes initial assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and initiates follow-up as needed.
2.2.
Includes the patient and family/significant other in developing the initial plan of care and establishing goals.
2.3.
Updates plan of care with assistance as needed.
2.4.
Assesses patient's learning needs, learning preference and readiness to learn.
2.5.
Develops and implements a plan in conjunction with the patient/family to meet learning needs, and involvement in basic health teaching and discharge planning.
3.
Documents the nursing process.
3.1.
Documentation is consistent, accurate, concise, and timely.
3.2.
Evaluates and documents patient response to interventions and progress towards attainment of goals and expected outcomes.
3.3.
Revises plan of care according to evaluations of patient's responses and outcomes.
3.4.
Uses the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and the Bar Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software per policy.
3.5 Completes all assigned clinical reminders in a timely manner.
4.
Demonstrates grade-appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills.
4.1.
The nurse can recognize the patient has a problem.
4.2.
The nurse can manage the problem safely and effectively, recognizing his/her scope of practice.
4.3.
The nurse has a relative sense of urgency.
4.4.
The nurse takes the right action for the right reason (del Bueno).
4.5.
The nurse responds and intervenes appropriately to emergency situations 5.
Role-specific Competency Checklist is complete and is rated competent in all measured areas.
6.
Progressively assuming responsibilities as assigned, seeking assistance as necessary, under the close supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee.
7.
Adheres to established policies, standards of care and standards or practice.
8.
Practices within 'Scope of Practice' based upon state licensure.
Work Schedule: To be discussed at the interview Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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)'