Registered Nurse (Emergency Department)

Veterans Health Administration • Kansas City, MO

28d • Onsite

About The Position

The Emergency Department Registered Nurse provides competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients with acute and/or chronic medical, surgical, and psychiatric conditions. The nurse uses clinical judgment and an expanded nursing-process knowledge base to manage complex situations, competing priorities, and patient care needs. The role includes coordinating care focused on patient education, self-management, customer satisfaction, safety, and quality outcomes throughout the continuum of care.

The nurse administers medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines, collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to achieve care plans, and delegates and supervises basic nursing care performed by licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel. The nurse also helps direct nursing education, orientation, competency development, quality improvement, and outcomes utilization. As an emerging leader, the nurse guides staff in identifying, implementing, and evaluating patient care needs while maintaining professional boundaries and modeling ethical nursing practice.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. The program may provide up to $200,000 in student loan repayment over an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. The role is not virtual, telework is unavailable, and work shifts vary. Relocation or recruitment incentives and EDRP are authorized; Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an approved school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or qualifying education under the stated bridge-program or foreign-education provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; eligible candidates without licensure may qualify for the Graduate Nurse Technician exception described in the posting.
• Meet the applicable education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level, as detailed in the posting.
• Meet applicable federal employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship unless appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy, required background/security screening, pre-employment drug testing for selected applicants in testing-designated positions, and pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Complete the required onboarding and application documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Two to three years of Emergency Department experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide urgent and emergent care to patients with acute and/or chronic medical, surgical, and psychiatric conditions.
• Use nursing knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment to manage complex situations and set goals independently.
• Validate understanding of the rationale for care processes and decisions, and question clinical practices to support evidence-based care.
• Manage competing priorities and organize, prioritize, and coordinate patient care needs.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, customer satisfaction, and continuity throughout the continuum of care.
• Administer medications and perform procedures according to established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence patient outcomes and achieve the plan of care.
• Delegate and supervise basic nursing care provided by licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel.
• Provide and direct Veteran- or patient-driven care that supports patient experience, satisfaction, and safety.
• Function as an emerging leader by directing staff to identify, implement, and evaluate patient care needs.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, competencies, quality improvement, and outcomes utilization.
• Maintain professional boundaries, act in the patient's best interest, and role-model ethical behavior consistent with established policies and the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment, subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• 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 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
• Education Level: Associate degree