Registered Nurse - Spinal Cord Injury Unit

Summary

The Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimal care. The focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction. Ability to formulate a plan of care based on nursing assessments. Seeks guidance in how to improve care provided to patients and families.

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - 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 the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by ACEN or CCNE
• 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 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 who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher than an associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as ICD
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• 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).
  
  Note:
  
  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
• The 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
• Grade/Level Scope:
  Nurse I - Level I (ADN or Diploma in Nursing with no additional professional nursing required)
• Nurse I - Level II (ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1; OR a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience required)
• Nurse I - Level III (ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2; OR a MSN with no additional professional nursing experience; OR a MSN in a related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience)
• Nurse II (BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3; OR a related field with BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience;
  
  OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience)
• Nurse III (MSN with 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience)
• * Note:
  
  Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over);
  Straight…