Registered Nurse- Community Living Center 3

Veterans Health Administration • Des Moines, IA

14d • Onsite

About The Position

The Community Living Center Registered Nurse (RN) delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to Veterans while developing technical skills. The RN is responsible for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care. The role supports palliative care goals by helping prevent and relieve suffering and support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families, regardless of disease stage or other therapies.

The RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates age-specific physical and mental care; administers medications and procedures under established policies and guidelines; and provides care and counseling through systematic data gathering, nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems. The RN educates older adults and families about chronic illness, mental health care, and treatment options, and coordinates care with caregivers and the interdisciplinary team.

The position participates in quality improvement, unit-based performance improvement, Shared Decision-Making, and Shared Governance. It also includes rotational charge nurse coverage, directing team members, making daily staff assignments, mentoring staff, and attending interdisciplinary rounds and huddles. The RN seeks documentation guidance from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coordinator to help ensure accurate Resource Utilization Group (RUG) scores and engages patients, families, and caregivers in care planning while respecting their knowledge, values, and beliefs.

The position is on a night schedule: six days from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and one day from 11:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays. A compressed schedule is authorized; telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility, application, and approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the education pathways and exceptions described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply to otherwise qualified candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience qualifications for the assigned VA Nurse grade and level.
• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements, except where non-citizens may be appointed under VA policy.
• Selected applicants must complete applicable pre-employment screening, including urinalysis for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, onboarding, and a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Applicants must complete application requirements detailed in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

• Restorative and rehabilitation nursing experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care using age-specific physical and mental health considerations.
• Administer medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines.
• Provide care and counseling through systematic data gathering, nursing judgment, and evaluation of responses to actual or potential health problems.
• Educate older adults and families about chronic illness, mental health care, and treatment options.
• Coordinate care among caregivers and collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence outcomes.
• Participate in quality care improvement activities and unit-based performance improvement initiatives.
• Participate with the Shared Decision-Making Team and promote a Shared Governance environment on the unit.
• Provide rotational charge nurse coverage, including directing team members, making daily staff assignments, mentoring staff, and attending interdisciplinary team rounds and huddles.
• Seek documentation guidance from the Minimum Data Set Coordinator to ensure accuracy of Resource Utilization Group scores.
• Engage patients, families, and caregivers in care planning while incorporating their knowledge, values, and beliefs without judgment or discrimination.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility, application, and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days annual leave, 13 days 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.
• Compressed schedule authorized.

What This Job Offers

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