Registered Nurse- Medical Stepdown

Veterans Health Administration • Minneapolis, MN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse position is located on Ward 3K at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The medical stepdown unit provides nursing care to Veterans with acute medical and surgical conditions who require close, around-the-clock observation, skilled nursing care, continuous cardiac monitoring, cardiac IV medications, respiratory monitoring, and specialized procedures. The unit supports transitions between acute medical-surgical and critical care. Care ranges from diagnosis and treatment through recovery, health promotion, or end-of-life care, with a focus on detecting emergencies, preventing complications, performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, educating patients and families, and facilitating discharge.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. The maximum award is $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years; former EDRP participants cannot apply. Applications must be submitted within four months of appointment. The role is full-time, with day/night tours and rotating holidays and weekends. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited professional nursing program, or qualifying bridge-program or foreign-education pathway described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; an eligible Graduate Nurse Technician exception is described for candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the applicable VA Nurse grade and level. Criteria vary by grade and may include an ADN, diploma, BSN, MSN, or doctoral degree and specified professional or specialized nursing experience.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet applicable background, security, drug-screening, onboarding, and application-document requirements.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to Veterans with acute medical and surgical conditions requiring close observation and skilled care.
• Insert and care for urinary drainage devices, including condom, intermittent, Foley, and suprapubic catheters and nephrostomy tubes.
• Manage diabetes and provide patient teaching.
• Manage gastric, intestinal, and percutaneous drainage and feeding tubes.
• Administer and monitor high-risk medications, including titrated drips.
• Perform cardiac and telemetry monitoring; training may be provided upon hire.
• Provide advanced vascular access care and maintenance.
• Facilitate home-care referrals and recommendations to support Veterans’ ongoing needs.
• Collaborate with health care professionals and support staff to promote positive patient outcomes.
• Use time management, priority setting, assessment, and urgent intervention skills.
• Maintain skills in prevention and management of disruptive behavior; training may be provided upon hire.
• Promote evidence-based practices and nurse-sensitive indicators, including fall prevention, hospital-associated infection prevention, medication-error prevention, safe patient handling, and skin safety.
• Detect emergency conditions, prevent complications, perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, educate patients and families, and facilitate discharge from acute care.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with approved awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, consisting of 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