Registered Nurse- Emergency Department

Veterans Health Administration • Iowa City, IA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa City VA Health Care System is recruiting a full-time Registered Nurse for its Emergency Department. The position is in the clinical pathway as a direct-care nurse and reports to the Clinical Manager, Intensive Services Service Line. The nurse assesses and triages patients, provides care responsive to their changing needs, and uses evidence-based interventions to enhance, maintain, or stabilize patient status. The role requires knowledge of Emergency Department equipment and computer programs, ongoing professional development, and maintaining required certifications throughout employment.

The position follows rotating shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. A 72/80 schedule may be available after successful completion of unit orientation, subject to hospital policies and procedures. Telework and virtual work are not available. 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 and approval. The program may reimburse up to $200,000, with the amount and eligibility period determined after review of an application submitted within four months of appointment. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

The nurse works within the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health approach, which emphasizes personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connection to the Veteran’s community. The role supports the VHA mission of providing exceptional care that improves Veterans’ health and well-being.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or an applicable qualifying nursing education pathway described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered professional nurse licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; an exception may apply for Graduate Nurse Technicians pursuing licensure.
• Ability to meet the applicable education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Ability to obtain and maintain BLS, ACLS, Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior Level IV, and TNCC certifications throughout employment.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment drug screening, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation; participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
• Complete the required onboarding and application requirements; a probationary period may be required.

Nice To Haves

• ICU or Emergency Department experience.
• Basic Life Support certification.
• Advanced Life Support certification.
• Moderate sedation experience or qualification.
• Trauma Nursing Core Course certification.
• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) certification.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients presenting to the Emergency Department and triage them to the appropriate Emergency Severity Index.
• Continuously anticipate, intervene, prioritize, and evaluate patient conditions and requirements according to their health care needs.
• Rapidly initiate protocols or evidence-based interventions to enhance, maintain, or stabilize patient status.
• Demonstrate or quickly adapt knowledge and skills in the use of appropriate Emergency Department equipment and computer programs.
• Pursue professional growth and support Emergency Department, service, facility, VISN, and federal goals and mandates that improve care processes and delivery.
• Use critical thinking and take ownership of maintaining current knowledge and skills, incorporating evidence-based research that can reduce mortality and morbidity.
• Obtain and maintain Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior Level IV, and Trauma Nursing Core Course certifications throughout employment.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement of up to $200,000 for eligible participants, subject to approval and program terms.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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