Registered Nurse-Nursing Excellence

Full Job Description

The RN-NEx serves as a transformational leader who drives nursing excellence across STVHCS by championing Pathway to Excellence® and Magnet® principles, elevating shared governance, and empowering nurses at every level.

This role sparks innovation, strengthens professional practice, and cultivates a culture where collaboration, accountability, and quality outcomes thrive.

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/12898930.

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.

Preferred Experience: -MSN desirable -Relevant specialty certification highly preferred (e.g., leadership, professional development) -Minimum of 2 years of experience working with Nursing Professional Governance structures, nursing excellence frameworks, and serving as a Subject Matter Expert to executive leaders, aiming to implement system-wide changes/process improvements.

-Demonstrated participation in strategic planning and alignment of goals with service-level, facility-level, and national organization goals.

-Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and emerging technologies (e.g., PowerApps, PowerBI) with the ability to leverage data analytics and innovative solutions for reporting, process improvement, and decision support.

-Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to craft clear, concise, and persuasive documents, reports, and presentations for diverse audiences, including executive leadership, frontline staff, and interdisciplinary teams.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The position requires moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds), straight pulling (1 hour), pushing (1-3 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4 hours), standing (2-7 hours), kneeling (2 hours), repeated bending (2 hours), climbing (use of arms and legs), both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, specific visual requirement (20/40 DVA; corrected), both eyes required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), sitting (8 hours), simple grasping (2-4 hours), fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4-6 hours), twisting (2 hours), and mental and emotional stability.

Major Duties:

As the RN-NEx you will have thorough understanding of the Pathway to Excellence® (PTE) and Magnet Recognition® Programs and assist the ADPCS/NE in maintaining Nursing Excellence at STVHCS.

Additionally, you will support and assist the Pathway to Excellence and Magnet Recognition Program Director(s) in establishing a healthy workplace to foster a culture of nursing excellence in accordance with the Pathway to Excellence and the Magnet Recognition programs.

You will demonstrate leadership and creative approaches to develop and implement programs and activities designed to improve the quality of patient care and engagement of nursing staff related to shared governance, evidenced-based practice, high reliability (HRO) and other performance improvement tenants.

The RN-NEx serves as a key leader in advancing nursing excellence through the integration of Pathway to Excellence® and Magnet principles within a robust Professional Governance framework.

This role supports the development and sustainability of shared governance structures, including unit-based councils and Nursing Professional Governance Committees, fostering a culture of collaboration, empowerment, and accountability.

Acting as a consultant and mentor, the RN-NEx provides education and guidance to nurses and leaders, promoting professional development and engagement in decision-making processes that impact clinical practice and work environment.

In alignment with organizational goals, the RN-NEx champions initiatives that strengthen nursing practice, enhance quality outcomes, and uphold standards of excellence.

Responsibilities include coaching and mentoring nurses, supporting governance activities, and participating in local and national committees to advance nursing leadership and innovation.

Through these efforts, you will ensure that nursing practice reflects the core tenets of Pathway and Magnet, driving continuous improvement and elevating the voice of the nurse across all levels of care.

Collaborate with both administrative and clinical services to carry out the functions and activities that support Nursing Excellence.

Areas of responsibility include all patient care areas in which nursing services are delivered regardless of organizational alignment. Position may entail other duties as assigned.

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; Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm or as determined by supervisor Telework: Available; Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized