Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit

Veterans Health Administration • Sioux Falls, SD

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sioux Falls VA Health Care System is hiring an Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse to provide compassionate, specialized care to Veterans experiencing critical illness, acute injury, complex conditions, or surgical recovery. The nurse works in a fast-paced critical care environment, using clinical judgment, advanced monitoring and life-support technology, and interdisciplinary teamwork to support patient recovery and coordinated transitions of care.

The role includes assessing rapidly changing conditions, administering complex treatments, responding to emergencies, educating families, and contributing to quality improvement and Veteran-centered care. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval. It is not a virtual or telework position, and relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized.

The work schedule includes day or night shifts, rotating weekends and holidays, and compressed or flexible scheduling is available. Day and night shift patterns include shifts at varying times, with periodic shifts on alternative schedules. The position requires a current, full, active, and unrestricted nursing license in a U.S. state or territory, subject to the stated graduate nurse technician exception. Applicants must meet VA nursing education and grade-determination requirements. Preferred qualifications include prior critical care experience and CCRN certification.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an approved, accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying equivalent education as specified 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 stated temporary Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience criteria applicable to the assigned VA nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected applicants must undergo required drug screening, background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, and online onboarding; seasonal influenza vaccination is required for VA health care personnel.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the EDRP incentive.

Nice To Haves

• Prior critical care experience.
• CCRN certification.

Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive nursing care to critically ill Veterans with acute injuries, complex illnesses, exacerbations of chronic conditions, or surgical recovery needs.
• Assess rapidly changing patient conditions and initiate intensive care protocols based on clinical findings, symptoms, and treatment needs.
• Manage critical care interventions, including mechanical ventilation, airway support, cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring, acute pain management, and wound care.
• Identify cardiac arrhythmias and initiate timely interventions consistent with Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support standards.
• Administer medications and complex treatments, monitor therapeutic responses, and address adverse reactions or changes in condition.
• Operate and manage specialized clinical equipment, including intravenous pumps, feeding pumps, chest tubes, patient lifts, and remote intensive care technologies.
• Lead and respond to facility-wide emergencies, including rapid response events, cardiac arrests, and suspected strokes.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary care, patient transfers, discharge planning, family education, and continuity of care with internal teams and outside facilities.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and support Veterans and their families through critical illness and recovery.
• Contribute to quality improvement and coordinated, Veteran-centered care across the continuum.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan payment reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• Paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays per year.
• Traditional federal pension and federal retirement savings plan with agency contributions or matching, as applicable.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance, with many programs available to carry into retirement.
• Premium pay for eligible overtime, weekend, holiday, on-call, and night work.
• Incentive and recognition awards.
• Paid parental leave, organ donor leave, military leave, and disabled veteran leave.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Leave Sharing Program.
• Child Care Subsidies.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellness and Physical Fitness Programs.
• Transit Subsidies.
• Continuing Education Opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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