Registered Nurse

Duties

As an RN assigned to the short stay observation unit, the nurse is primarily responsible for applying the nursing process to the care of veteran patients whose length of stay is expected to be less than 24 hours, need extended recovery following a complication of an outpatient procedure, or delayed recovery from anesthesia. In addition the nurse is responsible for the care of patients prior to, during and after procedures that are performed in the short stay unit. These procedures include, but are not limited to, Defibrillator Function Tests, Trans-esophageal Echocardiogram, Tilt Table Tests, and Cardioversions. The nurse is also responsible for administering all sedation during the procedure and monitoring the patient's response to the medication. The nurse assures that appropriate documentation reflects assessment of patients' needs, interdisciplinary treatment plans, clinical interventions, and evaluation of patients' responses to treatments. The nurse is also responsible for assigning and evaluating the work of non-nursing direct care providers assigned to the short stay unit (i.e. Medical Instrument Technicians, EKG or ECHO Technicians, Clerks). In addition, the nurse demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care to adult and geriatric patients, through collaborative strategies, in compliance with the Michigan Nurse Practice Act, Medical Center, and VAHQ standards of practice. The incumbent provides direct nursing care to individual and groups of patients under the guidance and direction of the Nurse Manager and Chief, Cardiology Section and assists with the direction and supervision of ancillary personnel (i.e. Technicians, Clerks, and Housekeepers).

Demonstrates proficiency using the nursing process in providing care for clients with complex nursing care needs. Guides and directs others who provide care. Appropriately assesses patients and implements an interdisciplinary plan of care. Assesses the effectiveness of implemented plan and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to make adjustments to the plan as needed. Identifies ethical issues in practice and takes appropriate action. Acts as a patient advocate. Takes appropriate action in potentially ethically compromising situations. Resource Utilization: Delegates care in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner. Assists clients in identifying and securing appropriate services. Uses the resources available on a daily basis to assure the smoothest, most efficient operation of the unit. Assures that patient has access to necessary services on an outpatient basis.

Work Schedule: 12 hour shifts, rotating Monday thru Saturday

Functional Statement Title/#: Functional statement

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6)

Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Registration

Condition of Employment. A registered nurse (RN) will have a current, full, active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia. The appointing official may waive this registration if the RN is to serve in a country other than the U.S. and the RN has registration in that country (e.g., Philippines). The RN must maintain a current, full, active and unrestricted registration to continue employment with VA. Impaired Registration. An impaired registration is any registration(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status. A registered nurse who has or ever had any such impairment to their registration as listed above may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions of chapter 3, section B, paragraph 15 of this part.

Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

English Language Proficiency. RNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Successful Nursing Practice. Documented evidence of experience as an RN that is determined to be sustained and consistently at or above an acceptable level of quality. This may include experience as a Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) provided the candidate was utilized as a professional nurse and passed the State licensing (board) examination on the first attempt, and experience as a Nurse Technician Pending Graduation provided the candidate possessed an active, current registration to practice nursing in a State and was utilized as a professional nurse (See chapter 3, section G, paragraph 5, this part). It may also include performance as a VA registered nurse that is at or above the fully satisfactory level. Professional nursing experience should be documented on the Proficiency Report, VA Form 10-2623, the VA Form 10-2850a, Application for Employment – Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists, or on a candidate's resume.

Length of Nursing Practice (Experience). The amount of time documented on VA Form 10-2850a or on a candidate's resume. (A performance evaluation or reference covering the candidate's most recent employment as a RN is essential.) Part-time experience as a RN is credited according to the relationship it bears to the full-time workweek. For example, a RN who worked 20 hours a week (i.e., on a half-time basis) would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of such service.

Degree in a Related Field. Baccalaureate and graduate degrees in fields related to nursing from a college or university which was accredited by the state at the time the candidate completed the program. Information on accredited colleges and universities is contained in Accredited Institutions of Post-secondary Education, published annually by the American Council on Education, One Dupont Circle NW, Washington, DC 20036 or call (202) 939-9300. Information can be obtained from the ACE web site.

The criteria are as follows:

• Practice: practice, ethics and resource utilization;
• Professional Development: performance, education/career development;
• Collaboration: collaboration, collegiality;
• Scientific Inquiry: quality of care, research.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:

Preferred experience: ICU or Telemetry experience preferred.

Experience as a RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following four dimensions of nursing: Practice, Professional Development, Collaboration and Scientific Inquiry. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G6 Nurse Qualification Standard.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.