Registered Nurse – Inpatient
Department of Veterans Affairs
Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Duties
- The Inpatient Staff Registered Nurse is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting.
- The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies, and provide quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.
- Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.
- Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
- Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.
- Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.
- Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs.
- Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
- Evaluates practice in an ongoing process, based on best evidence.
- Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement.
- Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.
- Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team.
- Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes.
- Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide sage, quality nursing care.
- Shares educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers.
- Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based-practice care.
- Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based-practice culture.
- 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: Day Tour. 7:30am-8:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
- EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
- Contact visn2edrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
- Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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.
Conditions of employment include:
- 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.
Required Documents
Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:
- This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
- Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
- Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Professional Certification Resume SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA.
- When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
- You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
- If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
- Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
- Documentation is required to award preference.
- For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans' Preference.
About this role
The Registered Nurse – Inpatient position with the Department of Veterans Affairs is based in Buffalo, New York. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. The role pays $75,760 to $139,451 per year.
Day to day, the work involves the Inpatient Staff Registered Nurse is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
This role calls for United States citizenship and a valid driver's license. Be prepared for a pre-employment drug screening and physical or medical requirements as part of the hiring process. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Registered Nurse – Inpatient position with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Buffalo, New York, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
The posted pay of $75,760 to $139,451 per year places this in a competitive but attainable range for qualified applicants. Based in Buffalo, New York, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on July 9, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.
