Registered Nurse - Surgical Intensive Care Unit

Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) - Surgical Intensive Care Unit/Stepdown Unit (SICU/STPDN) provides competent, evidence-based nursing care to Veterans with acute, complex, and critical care needs. The RN applies the nursing process, clinical judgment, and knowledge of pathophysiology and critical care concepts to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized patient care.

Duties

The RN demonstrates professional nursing practice consistent with established standards of care, VA policies and procedures, evidence-based practice, and the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice and Code of Ethics. The position requires flexibility in assignments and scheduling to meet the needs of a 24/7 acute care environment. The Registered Nurse - Surgical Intensive Care Unit/Stepdown Unit performs duties that include, but are not limited to: Provides safe, competent, evidence-based nursing care to Veterans with acute, complex, and critical care needs in the SICU/Stepdown environment. Performs comprehensive physical, physiological, and psychosocial nursing assessments and identifies actual or potential patient care needs. Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized plans of care using the nursing process and sound clinical judgment. Recognizes changes in patient condition, establishes priorities, and initiates appropriate nursing interventions based on clinical acuity and patient needs. Administers medications, treatments, and therapeutic interventions as prescribed by authorized providers and evaluates the patient's response to care. Organizes and completes assigned patient care responsibilities safely and within established timeframes while adapting priorities to changes in patient condition. Participates in the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of interdisciplinary plans of care. Establishes therapeutic relationships with Veterans and incorporates patient preferences, values, beliefs, developmental needs, and cultural considerations into care. Provides patient and family education, counseling, and health promotion to support informed decision-making and optimal health outcomes. Communicates and collaborates effectively with physicians, nurses, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to coordinate patient care. Delegates nursing activities appropriately and provides oversight to licensed vocational nurses, nursing assistants, and other nursing personnel consistent with scope of practice and competency. Assists with nursing education, orientation, competency development, and precepting of staff as appropriate. Demonstrates progression in leadership responsibilities, including sharing clinical knowledge, supporting teamwork, and serving as a resource to other staff. Applies evidence-based practice and current nursing knowledge to improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of patient care. Participates in unit-based performance improvement, patient safety, shared governance, and other quality improvement activities. Maintains accurate, timely, and complete documentation of assessments, interventions, patient responses, and other required information in the electronic health record. Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality and safeguards protected health information in accordance with applicable Federal laws, VA policies, and information security requirements. Adheres to infection prevention and control practices, including hand hygiene, standard precautions, isolation procedures, and other measures designed to prevent transmission of infection. Promotes a culture of safety by identifying and reporting hazards, incidents, injuries, and changes in patient condition and taking appropriate corrective action within the scope of practice. Maintains required education, training, and clinical competencies, including Basic Life Support (BLS) and other life-support certification requirements applicable to the assigned clinical area. Maintains readiness for accreditation and regulatory surveys by complying with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and documentation requirements. Demonstrates professional, respectful, and non-discriminatory care and communication with Veterans, families, visitors, colleagues, and other customers. Performs other duties and accepts additional assignments as necessary to support patient care and operational needs of the unit. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Tour of duty varies, and is to be determined by supervisor. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. 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. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/17/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13034679. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Upload Resume/CV (No Page Limit) Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Upload Resume/CV (No Page Limit) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.