Registered Nurse- Critical Care

Veterans Health Administration • Fort Wayne, IN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Critical Care Registered Nurse provides competent, evidence-based nursing care to assigned patients, including direct care for acutely or critically ill patients at high risk for actual or potential life-threatening health problems. The nurse provides high-intensity care and vigilance, uses assessment skills and data from invasive and noninvasive monitoring technology, and oversees licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting.

The nurse demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. The position also contributes to nursing education, orientation, competencies, quality improvement, and outcomes utilization consultation. The nurse evaluates practice using the best available evidence, supports colleagues through knowledge-sharing and constructive feedback, fosters a safe environment for professional development, and participates in strategies to sustain an evidence-based-practice culture.

This is a full-time, onsite clinical position with a 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. night schedule. Telework and virtual work are not available. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and application review. Approved awards may be up to $200,000, with eligibility periods of one to five years; former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Applicants must meet VA nursing education and licensure requirements, demonstrate English proficiency, and meet the applicable grade-level scope, education, and experience criteria. The role involves the physical demands normally associated with direct patient care, potentially for extended periods. VA describes its approach as a Whole Health System of care that supports personalized health plans, healing relationships, healing environments, and connection to the Veteran's community.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited professional nursing program, subject to the stated VA provisions for bridge-program candidates and foreign nursing education.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education, experience, and scope criteria for the applicable VA Nurse grade and level.
• Ability to perform the position's direct patient-care duties, which may include extended periods of physical activity.
• Adequate vision to perform assigned duties, distinguish basic colors, and assess patients and the environment safely.
• Ability to hear sufficiently to perform assigned duties; hearing aids are permitted.
• Meet applicable employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship or the stated exception, required background/security investigation, pre-employment drug screening for testing-designated positions, and pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
• Complete the online onboarding process and application requirements; a probationary period may be required.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients.
• Provide direct, high-intensity care and vigilance for acutely or critically ill patients at risk for life-threatening health problems, regardless of care setting.
• Use refined assessment skills and information from invasive and noninvasive monitoring technology.
• Oversee licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, and competency activities.
• Provide quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.
• Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaboration.
• Evaluate nursing practice on an ongoing basis using the best available evidence.
• Provide peers with informal, constructive feedback to support improvement.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to healthcare professionals' development.
• Contribute the professional nursing perspective to interdisciplinary team discussions.
• Partner with others to effect change and achieve optimal outcomes.
• Share knowledge with colleagues to support safe, quality nursing care.
• Share educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers.
• Question clinical practices to support evidence-based care.
• Participate in activities and strategies that sustain an evidence-based-practice culture.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval; award may be up to $200,000.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, comprising 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Regular salary increases and potential performance awards.

What This Job Offers

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