Registered Nurse - Educator

Full Job Description

The Butler VA Medical Center seeks a Registered Nurse Educator to lead nursing education and staff development across inpatient and outpatient settings.

This role advances clinical practice through evidence-based education, competency validation, and mentorship.

The Nurse Educator also coordinates the Registered Nurse Transition to Practice Program, supporting new graduate nurses' successful integration into practice.

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/12889840.

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/.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Major Duties:

Duties The Registered Nurse Educator serves as an expert resource and leader in nursing education, responsible for advancing clinical practice through evidence-based training and professional development.

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provide expert, evidence-based education to nursing staff across inpatient and outpatient settings.

Design, implement, and evaluate educational programs using instructional design principles and adult learning theory.

Conduct learning needs assessments and develop targeted training plans to address gaps in knowledge and skills.

Coordinate orientation for new employees, monitor progress, and create individualized learning plans for deficiencies.

Serve as a trainer and consultant for the Resuscitation Education Initiative (REdI) Program, including certification as a Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor; monitor and track BLS and Advanced Life Support (ALS) compliance.

Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support emergency response readiness; organize, participate in, and evaluate mock codes and resuscitation drills.

Support nurse residency programs, including curriculum development and delivery using simulation, lecture, case studies, and virtual reality.

Develop expert-level coaching and mentoring skills to foster professional growth and critical thinking among nursing staff.

Serve as Facility Registered Nurse Transition to Practice (RNTTP) Program Coordinator, responsible for leading the residency program, assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating program effectiveness.

Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards, directives, policies, and SOPs for all educational programs.

Collaborate with leadership, stakeholders, and academic affiliates to promote successful transition from academia to clinical practice and integration into the professional nurse role.

Develop and maintain a formal, data-driven plan for evaluating program effectiveness and disseminating outcomes.

Participate in ongoing clinical education activities, including in-services, competency assessments, and skill evaluations for new and existing staff.

Review current nursing literature to identify trends and evidence-based changes; propose practice and documentation revisions based on outcome evaluations.

Analyze, interpret, and evaluate data to determine educational program outcomes and implement changes as needed.

Provide consultation and collaboration through participation in organizational committees and interprofessional initiatives.

Maintain documented outcomes at the program or service level to demonstrate impact and compliance.

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 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized