Summary The VA-STEP (VA Student Trainee Experience Program) is an honors program for select nursing students who have completed the junior year of an CCNE accredited BSN nursing program. VA-STEP provides a structured clinical experience with a BSN-prepared preceptor and education course work in a clinical setting. The program consists of a 400-hour experience during the summer months. Responsibilities Application Requirements: VA-STEP participants MUST submit all application materials by the deadline (See Required Documents) section. VA-STEP SNT appointments are temporary for a time not to exceed the nursing program completion date. Students participate in the program any time after the completion of the junior year up until the time they graduate from their BSN program. The national program office can only support funding that covers up to 400 hours per fiscal year. 2 vacancies in the following location: One (1) in Community Living Center (CLC). One (1) in Medical-Surgical. The work schedule is based on facility or unit needs, in addition to flexibility given the students' school schedules. The Nursing VA STEP focuses on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction. The practice of each Nursing VA STEP is based on skill, experience, and research and has a direct and indirect impact on client outcomes for the assigned area. Works on the preceptor's assignment of care for the day; does not carry an independent patient care load. Nursing VA STEP delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies required for the specific practice setting under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) preceptor and coordination of the Nursing Veterans Affairs Student Trainee Experience Program (VA STEP) administrator in alignment with the competencies learned in the academic setting and validated by VA staff. Assists the RN to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care based on age-specific components. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community. Under the guidance of a proficient RN preceptor, the student develops clinical competencies in nursing specialty areas such as Community Living Center (CLC) and Medical-Surgical. The learning opportunities in the specialty clinical areas will be enhanced by structured clinical experiences including competency-based clinical practice and participation in nursing-focused clinical conferences. Work Schedule: Intermittent work scheduled varies, temporary Appointment Not to Exceed 400 Hours based on facility or unit needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Qualifications Qualifications 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. Must be enrolled in a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State- 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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, with nursing courses graded B or A. Be currently enrolled in an accredited BSN. Have completed the final semester/quarter of junior year prior to the program start date. Have had at least one clinical experience in a medical center or hospital. Provide documentation of immunization status and current Health Care Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) training. Recommendation letter from the Dean or Director of the school of nursing. The letter should include a nomination of the student to the program, verification of enrollment as a full-time student (as defined by the school), with anticipated graduation date. Experience: No formal work experience is required. It is recommended that SNTs be hired following completion of fundamentals in nursing or first nursing clinical course. This allows for the attainment of basic nursing skills and knowledge for application to the SNT position. Work Hour Requirements: VA-STEP participants must be able to complete 400 hours of employment in the VA-STEP role from VA-STEP start date till graduation from education program. Additional Considerations: The VA-STEP participant must not be under a service obligation to any other federal, state, or private institution or be a recipient of any federal scholarship that incurs a service obligation to another organization. They also must not be obligated to work for another institution following graduation and must intend to work for VHA following graduation. Physical Requirements: This position includes 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. Requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. It requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. 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, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The environment's pace can vary. The incumbent must have the ability to priority patient care needs. Weight limitations vary depending on area of service and functional duties. Education MPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
