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. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written & spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency & accredited by 1 of the following accrediting bodies at time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (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 & later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion & 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, & unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that 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, & unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess required licensure, may be appointed at entry step of grade & level applicable to completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to 2 years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series & performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education & licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education & Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, & if appropriate, the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements are detailed for each grade & level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12895589
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills & technically competent practice providing care to clients w/ basic/complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;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 & deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing & 2 years of professional nursing experience that 1 year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2
• OR a BSN & 1 year professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) & no additional professional nursing experience
• OR Master's degree in *related field with a BSN & no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering & improving holistic care through collaborative strategies w/others
• BSN with 2 years professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3
• OR MSN with 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3
• OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3
• OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN w/no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience & creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond immediate practice setting
• MSN & 2 years specialized nursing experience, 1 that is equivalent to Nurse II & meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR Master's degree in *related field with BSN & 2 years of specialized nursing experience, (1) that is equivalent to Nurse II & meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field w/ a BSN & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II & meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Level of Education: BSN Preferred Certification(s): Ambulatory Care Case Management Medical-Surgical Telephone Nursing Practice Full performance level of this vacancy is Nurse III
• The actual grade an applicant may be selected for is Nurse I to Nurse III
• 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires potentially long periods continued walking, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs & repeated bending
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• & over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs
• & over) Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours) Pushing (up to 4 hours) Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 8 hours) Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 8 hours) Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously
• Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters
• Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye
• Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
• Emotional & Mental Stability: Incumbent must be mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening/testing, as condition of employment.