Registered Nurse (SICU and Step Down)

Description Provides comprehensive professional nursing care to critically ill patients in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Step Down. Patients are recovering from medical conditions and surgical procedures that are characterized by the presence of real or potential life-threatening health problems and require continuous observation and intervention to prevent complications and restore health. Independently plans, schedules, and provides comprehensive nursing care without specific instructions, and solves all but the most acute problems on own initiative. Discusses the needs of the patient, the kind of physical care, and personal relationships, and behavioral patterns to be enforced and those to be avoided. Communicates patient progress or lack of to physicians and supervisory nursing personnel. Accompanies and assists physicians with complex and potentially life-threatening procedures such as the insertion of arterial and venous catheters, chest tubes, and endotracheal tubes. The incumbent will have a working knowledge of cardiac drugs, hemodynamic monitoring, critical thinking skills, and thorough documentation skills.

Requirements Benefits:

• 26 days of paid annual (vacation/personal) leave each year.
• 13 days of sick leave each year.
• 15 days of military leave each year for active reservists and National Guard members.
• 10 paid Federal holidays each year.
• Liability protection.
• Educational and research benefits through facility-based continuing medical education, opportunity for participation in state-of-the-art research programs, and the opportunity to provide training for health care trainees.
•Opportunities for scholarship funding of baccalaureate degree in nursing and advanced degrees in nursing or related field.
•Career development opportunities and ability to transfer to VA facilities located throughout the United States.