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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 General Description of Assigned Duties: 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 critical care, medical-surgical, or emergency care. 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. This program is for those planning a career with the VA. This program provides opportunities for outstanding students (senior level in BSN programs) to develop competencies in clinical nursing while at an approved VA health care facility. Opportunities for learning include didactic or classroom experiences and competency-based clinical practice with a qualified Registered Nurse (RN) preceptor. Clinical assignments are available in the following specialties: Critical Care Unit Medical/Surgical Unit VA-STEP students who become registered nurses working in the VA may be hired at a salary rate above the minimum based on superior qualifications such as documented outstanding performance during their VA-STEP experience and/or or number of hours completed as a VA-STEP participant. Work Schedule: Varies-Temporary Appointment Not to Exceed 400 Hours Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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. Have completed the final semester or quarter of your junior year of a Bachelors degree 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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); Have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The CGPA must be computed on post-secondary academic work taken within the past 3 years, or based on academic work accepted for credit towards the nursing degree. While a student may have a grade of "C" in a nursing course, the cumulative GPA for the nursing core courses may not be less than a 3.0; Meet physical examination standards. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs); Light Carrying (under 5 lbs); Straight Pulling (1 hour); Pushing (1 hour); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8-12 hours); Standing (up to 8-12 hours); Kneeling (1 hour); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Climbing, legs only (1 hour); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" so Jaeger 1 to 4; Mental and emotional stability; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eye required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic color; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). Education 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.