This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.
Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
As the Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) you will execute the position duties to improve patient and organizational outcomes by providing patient-centered and recovery oriented care, maintaining self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions, and managing the milieu. You will facilitate shift reports, warm hand-offs, and develop content as well as facilitate nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
Use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de-escalation techniques, and utilize recovery-oriented language. Actively participate in MH interdisciplinary treatment team, MH Environment of Care rounds, direct team response to psychiatric emergencies, report safety concerns, and assist in safety concern resolution. Document nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy.
Maintain professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Collaborate in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines. Demonstrate performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for MH patients. Provide peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement.
Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals. Evaluate MH outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations. Responsible for the documented MH outcomes at the program or service level. Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility.
You may be exposed to infectious patients and/or contaminated materials requiring prolonged wearing of various levels of personal protective equipment. May be required to work in various work environments based on patient care, organizational needs, and/or safety requirements. May be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or behavioral health conditions.
May be exposed to loud noises, alarms, chaotic situations or other distractions and stressors in which you must maintain professional bearing and composure. May be required to work in modified work environments, care for patients on isolation precautions, screen potentially infectious patients, and participate in labor pools. Current and valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required.
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: Full-time; Rotating shifts to include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. 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.
For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $85610 – $173974/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-09.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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