Registered Nurse - Surgical Discharge Planning

Veterans Health Administration • Omaha, NE

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (RN) coordinates and manages discharge planning for surgical patients, ensuring safe, timely, and well-coordinated transitions from inpatient surgical care to home, rehabilitation, or other post-acute settings. The role operates within the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health System of care, which aims to empower Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connections to their communities. This supports the Veterans Health Administration mission to honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

The RN assesses discharge needs, works with interdisciplinary teams to create individualized plans, educates patients and caregivers, coordinates post-acute services, and addresses barriers to discharge. The position also supports accurate documentation, follow-up care, and efforts to prevent avoidable readmissions.

The work schedule is Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Telework is not available; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the stated education pathways and exceptions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, except for the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Meet the education, experience, and dimension criteria for the grade and level assigned. Requirements vary by grade and may include an ADN or nursing diploma, BSN, MSN, doctoral degree, and professional nursing experience.
• U.S. citizenship, except where non-citizens may be appointed under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions must submit to urinalysis; refusal results in denial of VA employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background and security investigation.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in surgical, medical-surgical, or case management services and/or as an inpatient discharge planner.
• Strong communication, organizational, and critical thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct early and ongoing assessment of surgical patients' discharge needs, including mobility, wound care, medication management, and support systems.
• Collaborate with surgeons, nursing staff, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and case management to develop individualized discharge plans.
• Educate patients and caregivers on post-surgical care, including wound care, activity restrictions, medication regimens, and warning signs requiring follow-up.
• Coordinate referrals for home health, durable medical equipment, skilled nursing facilities, or outpatient rehabilitation as needed.
• Identify and address barriers to discharge, such as housing instability, lack of caregiver support, and transportation, in coordination with social work.
• Ensure discharge documentation is accurate, complete, and compliant with facility and regulatory standards.
• Schedule and confirm follow-up appointments before discharge.
• Monitor and help reduce avoidable readmissions through proactive discharge planning.
• Communicate discharge plans clearly to patients, families, and receiving care providers.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and discharge planning meetings.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree