Registered Nurse-Critical Care
US Veterans Health Administration
Syracuse, New York
$82k–$136k/yr
Posted pay
About a minute · no account or résumé needed.
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Posted Jul 31, 2026 · Last seen active Aug 1, 2026
What the posting states
- Base pay
- $81,520-$136,339
About this role
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Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship
- Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia
- Graduate of a school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE
- English language proficiency
- Background/security investigation
- Drug screening (urinalysis)
- Pre-employment physical examination
- Seasonal influenza vaccination
Benefits
- Competitive salary with regular salary increases
- Potential for performance awards
- 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays)
- Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
- Federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
- Federal health insurance
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
About the employer
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…
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
Living in Syracuse, NY
Syracuse sits in central New York near the Finger Lakes, offering nurses a mid-sized metro with strong healthcare systems and four distinct seasons. Home to Syracuse University, the city blends collegiate energy with a manageable pace of life — a practical fit for RNs seeking career growth without big-city pressure.
- Metro price level · Syracuse area
- 95.7
- 4% below the national average
- Median gross rent
- $1,039/mo
- rent and tenant-paid utilities
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024 metro Regional Price Parities · Census ACS 2024
On your path
ICU / Critical Care is a first-year unit lane. The classic route: base year, then transfer in.
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 shifts, 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?
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