Nurse

Nurse

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia

Salary Range: $90211 - $158541 Per Year

Job Summary: This is a Registered Nurse vacancy in Nursing Education with the Atlanta VA Medical Center (Joseph M. Cleland).

Major Duties:

• Major duties: Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills, and technically competent practice with the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Pathway to Excellence (PTE) and Magnet Recognition programs while developing technical skills to maintain nursing excellence. Influences organizational outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team to carry out functions and activities that support nursing excellence. Responsible and accountable for integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence the organizational mission. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines and executes position responsibilities that demonstrate creative approaches to program management and analysis. Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the delivery of care for Veterans and organizational performance. The Registered Nurse (RN) - Nursing Excellence has fundamental experience with the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform, integrating theoretical concepts, basic critical thinking skills, and technically skilled practice. Fosters positive professional practice environments by building, supporting, and creating alignments for nursing excellence and steering innovation through collaboration and stakeholder engagement across the facility, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and enterprise. Requires or authorizes employees to formulate, determine, or influence the polices of Veterans Affairs (VA). Demonstrates leadership and creative approaches to the design and implementation of programs and initiatives that improve patient outcomes and engagement of nursing staff related to professional (shared) governance, evidenced-based practice (EBP), a high reliability organization (HRO), and other performance improvement (PI) tenants. The RN - Nursing Excellence demonstrates participation in strategic planning and alignment of goals at the service, facility, and national level. Applies knowledge of data, information, processes, organizational interactions, skills, and analytical expertise, as well as systems, networks, and information exchange capabilities to document outcome. Assumes leadership in promoting professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to nursing staff. The RN - Nursing Excellence is responsible for program development related to professional governance, EBP, PI, and professional development; project implementation; oversight of data collection and analysis; designing useful decision support systems; delivering educational experiences; enhancing lifelong learning; and supporting healthcare innovation. Areas of responsibility include all patient care areas in which nursing services are delivered regardless of organizational alignment. Experience in Pathway to Excellence and Magnet Program Coordination strongly required. Proven experience in project management. Strong background in publication and programmatic application writing. Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills are required. Ability to work collaboratively and foster a culture of shared decision making among diverse leaders and stakeholders. Solid background in using Press Ganey, NDNQI for data analysis and QI methodologies. Strong understanding of shared governance principles. Proficiency in utilizing computerized databases and various analysis tools. 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: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Qualifications: Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12864691. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred experience: The Nursing Excellence Coordinator demonstrates advanced leadership, extensive experience, and innovative approaches to enhancing quality of care outcomes. It promotes a positive professional practice environment by fostering, supporting, and aligning efforts toward nursing excellence, and driving innovation through collaboration and stakeholder engagement across the facility and the broader organization. The role involves authorization or influence over the development of policies within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It requires leadership and creative strategies in designing and implementing programs and initiatives that improve patient outcomes and increases nursing staff engagement, focusing on professional (shared) governance, evidence-based practice (EBP), high reliability organization (HRO) principles, and other performance improvement (PI) methodologies. The Nursing Excellence Coordinator participates in strategic planning and aligns goals at the service, facility, and national levels. They utilize data, information, process knowledge, organizational insights, and analytical skills, along with system, network, and information exchange capabilities, to document and analyze outcomes. The role involves leading efforts to promote professional development through coaching and mentoring nursing staff. Physical Requirements: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols Position specific duties/expectations are detailed in the associated competency and should be performed once the competency has been validated. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments.

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 01/22/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12864691. 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 is 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-22