Registered Nurse (Mental Health)

Veterans Health Administration • Salisbury, NC

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (Inpatient Mental Health) is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care on the Mental Health Inpatient Unit. The nurse provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented care, maintains self-awareness when caring for patients living with mental health conditions, and manages the milieu. The role includes coordinating care, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team, supporting patient education and self-management, and contributing to safe, effective patient outcomes.

The position requires a current, full, active, and unrestricted nursing registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, as well as graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing or an eligible equivalent pathway. Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency. Grade placement depends on education, nursing experience, and the applicable scope and dimension criteria. Preferred experience is 2–3 years of clinical mental health nursing.

This is a full-time, non-telework position with various 12-hour shifts, including rotating weekends and holidays. The role may involve prolonged standing and walking, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending or kneeling, and exposure to patients who may be combative. Schedule and assignments may require flexibility. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval; reimbursement may be up to $200,000 over one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from a school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or an eligible alternative education pathway described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; an exception may apply to Graduate Nurse Technicians appointed temporarily while pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education, experience, and dimension criteria for the applicable nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and application documentation.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Be capable of working effectively in stressful situations, shifting priorities based on patient needs, and maintaining flexibility in schedule and assignments.

Nice To Haves

• 2–3 years of clinical nursing experience in mental health.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care using age-specific components.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Administer medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Facilitate shift reports and warm hand-offs, and develop and facilitate nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language.
• Participate in Mental Health interdisciplinary treatment team activities and Mental Health Environment of Care rounds.
• Direct the team response to psychiatric emergencies, report safety concerns, and assist in resolving safety concerns.
• Document nursing assessments, nursing plans of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the best interest of patients.
• Demonstrate leadership and creative approaches to managing complex client care.
• Perform other related duties listed in the functional statement.

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.
• 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.
• Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 over one to five years.

What This Job Offers

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