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Registered Nurse - Nurse Recruiter

US Veterans Health Administration

Chicago, Illinois

$80k–$149k/yr

Posted pay

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US Veterans Health Administration workplace

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US Veterans Health Administration workplace
RNHuman Resources OccupationsAdministrative & Business Operations OccupationsRecruiters & Staffing Occupations

Posted Aug 14, 2026 · Last seen active Aug 15, 2026

What this might mean for you

US Veterans Health Administration is hiring for its own floors — no agency between you and the manager. It's a day shift — the full-speed version of the unit, with every specialist in the building.

What the posting states

Base pay
$80k–$149k/yr
Shift
Days
EHR & union
Union position

About this role

Show full description
Summary Nurse Recruiter serves as a member in delivering and improving the processes of recruitment, onboarding, and retention of the nursing workforce. Learn more about this agency This job is open to The public U. S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U. S. Internal to an agency Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement. Clarification from the agency Areas of Consideration: CURRENT PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OF THE AGENCY FOR WHICH POSITION IS BEING ADVERTISED and ALL OFTHER CANDIDATES. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Duties The Registered Nurse, Nurse Recruiter, duties include, but are not limited to the following: Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates nursing recruitment processes based on specific components. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Participates in recruitment and retention programs and other aspects related to the maintenance of a highly competent workforce for the facility. Functions as a collaborator in assisting the improvement processes, programs, resources, and services related to recruitment and retention. Maintains databases, prepares, reports, and works collaboratively with others to assess variances and project needs. Utilizes guidance in developing recommendations for systems and/or resource changes that will serve to improve the workforce and resource utilization. Works collaboratively with nursing administration, leadership, and Human Resources (HR) Management Service to meet resource needs. The Nurse Recruiter uses nursing practice, clinical knowledge, and data to assess, plan, coordinate, implement and evaluate recruitment and retention efforts of nursing staff. The Nurse Recruiter is to identify highly qualified talent for their facilities who aligns with the mission of caring for Veterans. The Nurse Recruiter utilizes clinical knowledge, skills, and abilities to personalize the experience for the candidate, improve the recruitment and retention experience for all stakeholders' and deliver compassionate nurses ready to provide care. The Nurse Recruiter will seek partnerships to aid in candidate generation. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. 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: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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 evaluation. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: 5+ years of Nursing Experience Recruitment experience Leadership/Program Coordination Experience Previously served on the NPSB Experience facilitating trainings and meetings Systems redesign and/performance improvement training 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/13037213. 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 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. Examples may include but are not limited to: • Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients • Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols Education IMPORTANT: 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…

Skills for this role

Patient Care

Requirements

  • Background check
  • Employee onboarding
  • Nursing
  • Program management
  • Healthcare industry recruitment experience
  • Doctoral degree
  • Experience working with the veteran population
  • RN License

About the employer

US Veterans Health Administration
Hospital

The U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the healthcare arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs, operating as the nation's largest integrated healthcare system serving America's veterans. The Seattle, Washington (98108) location is part of this federal healthcare network, which…

3.7 Google rating
US Veterans Health Administration workplaceUS Veterans Health Administration workplace

What reviewers appreciate

  • Noble and mission-driven work serving veterans and their families
  • Clear core values (I CARE: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence) guiding all interactions
  • Interdisciplinary team collaboration model

What reviewers flag

  • Tiered hiring preference limits external applicant opportunities, with first consideration given to current permanent VA employees
  • Strict educational and experience requirements (BSN with 2 years or MSN with 1 year specialized experience) may create barriers to entry
  • Federal hiring process may be slower and more bureaucratic than private sector
mission-drivenveteran-focusedintegritycommitmentadvocacyrespect

Living in Chicago, IL

Chicago delivers big-city energy with lakefront charm along Lake Michigan, world-class medical centers, and neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Wicker Park that blend dining, culture, and community. Nurses relocating here will find a metro area rich in career opportunity, transit access, and Midwestern character.

Map showing the location of Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL on the map · © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap· Open the live map
Metro price level · Chicago area
103.6
4% above the national average
Median gross rent
$1,440/mo
rent and tenant-paid utilities

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024 metro Regional Price Parities · Census ACS 2024

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On your path

Travel Nursing is a first-year unit lane. Staff experience first; a compact license opens more states.

Worth asking

The posting doesn’t answer these. Good ones to ask a recruiter or in the interview.

  • Can you walk me through the differentials?
  • What should I expect for weekly hours, weekend, holiday, call, and rotation?
  • What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
  • How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
Open the full posting report

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