Summary

The Registered Nurse Transition to Practice Program is designed for the post graduate RN nurse who has completed an entry level nursing degree at the Associate Degree - Diploma - Baccalaureate - or Master's level. This is a 12-month program designed to assist the new RN in the transition to full practice as a competent RN. It is a comprehensive developmental training program with didactic and clinical to provide the new RN opportunities to perform procedures that are performed by RNs.

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/12934048
• 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: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - and able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA

Duties

• The North Florida South/Georgia Veterans Healthcare System Registered Nurse Transition to Practice (RN TTP) Program is designed for the post graduate registered nurse who has completed an entry level nursing degree at the Associate Degree - Diploma - Baccalaureate - or Master's level
• Post graduate registered nurses with no previous experience as a registered nurse are eligible to apply
• Degree must be conferred within one year prior to the program start date
• Classes are held at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville - FL
• The Registered Nurse Transition to Practice (RN TTP) Program was developed to support post graduate registered nurses during the first year of practice in an acute care and behavioral health areas within the facility
• The post graduate registered nurse will participate in an orientation program under the guidance of a qualified preceptor
• The length of clinical orientation will vary according to the needs and progress of the nurse
• Clinical areas are assigned based on organizational needs
• Didactic sessions are scheduled during the year to facilitate transition and achieve competency in key knowledge - skills and responsibilities of a registered nurse
• The RN TTP is guided in their professional development through precepting and mentoring in the clinical setting
• The program design and content are guided by: VHA Directive 2011-039 - VHA Registered Nurses (RN) Transition-To-Practice Program - November 23 - 2019
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education's (CCNE) Standards for Accreditation of Entry to Practice Nurse Residency Programs (CCNE - 2015) Patricia Benner's theory of \"Novice to Expert\" (1984).Transition to Practice Nurse is expected to: Begin employment November 02 - 2026 Have an active - non-restricted RN license by October 19 - 2026 Attend classes and activities as assigned Complete assignments within the required timeframe Be available to work as scheduled on assigned units
• Shifts may be 12 hours - 8 hours or a combination of both Hospital Orientation and NSO (Nursing Service Orientation) are scheduled during regular daytime business hours
• Initial Nursing Unit Orientation occurs during the scheduled work shifts of the unit preceptors
• Upon completion of orientation - work shifts are scheduled according to unit needs in fulfilling the mission of caring for America's veterans
• Successful candidates must have the flexibility to work a variety of shifts as assigned - to include evenings - nights - weekends - and holidays Must be able to start this full-time position on or before the specified start dates as described on USA Jobs 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: Must be available to work all shifts - including weekends and holidays Be available to work as scheduled on assigned units (Shifts may be 12 hours - 8 hours - or a combination of both) Work week will vary - but includes weekdays - weekends and holidays Shifts vary - but will include nights/days/evenings Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized