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Registered Nurse - Critical Care (SCU)

US Veterans Health Administration

Johnson City, Tennessee

$63k–$119k/yr

Posted pay

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US Veterans Health Administration workplace

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US Veterans Health Administration workplace
RNCritical CareICU

Posted Aug 3, 2026 · Last seen active Aug 4, 2026

What the posting states

Base pay
$62,784-$118,960
Shift
Night shift schedule (7:30 PM - 8:00 AM) with alternating weekends.
Weekends, holidays, call
Night shift schedule (7:30 PM - 8:00 AM) with alternating weekends.

About this role

Show full description
Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) position at the VA Medical Center in Johnson City, TN. Provides competent, evidence-based care to acutely/critically ill patients at high risk for life-threatening health problems. Responsibilities include direct patient care, oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, nursing education direction, quality improvement, interdisciplinary team collaboration, and leadership in delivering holistic care. Night shift schedule (7:30 PM - 8:00 AM) with alternating weekends.

Requirements

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • English language proficiency
  • Graduate of a school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE
  • Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the U.S., or the District of Columbia
  • Background/security investigation
  • Drug screening (urinalysis)
  • Pre-employment physical examination
  • Seasonal influenza vaccination

Benefits

  • Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards
  • 50 days paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays)
  • Traditional federal pension (5 year vesting)
  • Federal 401K with up to 5% employer contributions
  • Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance
  • Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) up to $200,000
  • Loan repayment program

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 Johnson City, TN

Nestled in Tennessee's Appalachian foothills, Johnson City blends outdoor adventure with a growing healthcare hub anchored by East Tennessee State University. Nurses drawn to mid-size mountain towns will find a relaxed pace, nearby hiking trails, and a strong sense of Southern community.

Map showing the location of Johnson City, TN
Johnson City, TN on the map · © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap· Open the live map
Metro price level · Johnson City area
87.9
12% below the national average
Median gross rent
$1,023/mo
rent and tenant-paid utilities

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

Browse open roles in Johnson City

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 weekly hours, 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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