Registered Nurse - Acute Care; Med​/Surg

Registered Nurse - Acute Care (Med/Surg)

Join to apply for the Registered Nurse - Acute Care (Med/Surg) role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Summary

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. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

• English Language Proficiency – must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency (ACEN or CCNE) at the time the program was completed.
• 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 a 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.
• 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 such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State – Territory or Commonwealth of the United States.
• 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).
• Grade Determinations:
  The following scope‑education and dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates.
• A Shift‑level Scope:
  Practice – Veteran/Patient Driven Care – Leadership – Professional Development and Evidence‑Based Practice/Research (detailed online assessment).
• RN Level I – Level I/II/III requirements listed (ADN or BSN with corresponding years of experience).
• Preferred Experience and
  
  Certifications:
  
  Acute Care experience within the last 3 years and BLS/ACLS certification.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  VA Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The Buffalo VA Medical Center is seeking a qualified full‑time Registered Nurse to join the Acute Care (Med/Surg) Team in Buffalo – NY. The RN is responsible for providing competent, evidence‑based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants.
• The RN provides direct and indirect nursing care to patients and families in a nursing care unit/area.
• The RN is accountable for adhering to established policies, standards of care and standards of practice.
• The RN demonstrates leadership when providing and improving patient care.
• The RN reports directly to the Nurse Manager of the patient‑care unit/area and serves as a role model when functioning as team leader or charge nurse under the supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee.
• The RN will be responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.
• The RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self‑management and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• The RN administers medications and procedures per established policies and…