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Registered Nurse - Critical Care

Eligibility
ICUCritical & Intensive Care

Posted Jul 29

Unit and setting
ICU · Military
License
RN license
Term
Travel

Do you qualify?

New grads
Welcomed
License
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.
Also asks
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Also asks
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Also asks
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).
Also asks
Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
Also asks
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
Also asks
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Also asks
[Help](https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/job-announcement/requirements "Learn more about job requirements.")
Also asks
Conditions of employment
Also asks
U. S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Also asks
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.
Also asks
Subject to background/security investigation.
Also asks
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Preferred

Certification
CCRN Preferred: CCRN
Education
BSN Preferred: BSN
Experience
At least 5 years of… Preferred: At least 5 years of…

What it pays

Against similar roles
Illinois travel median is $116k/yrIllinois travel postings that state pay run $93k/yr to $140k/yr, the middle half $104k/yr to $131k/yr, across 147 postings. This posting's $80k/yr to $149k/yr is wider than that, so where you land depends on the offer.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential 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% contributions by VA
  • Federal health insurance
  • Vision insurance
More benefits (7)
  • Dental insurance
  • Term life insurance
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - student loan reimbursement up to $200,000
  • Paid holidays
  • PTO
  • Loan Repayment

The role and schedule

Weekends
Weekends required

The workplace

Veterans Health Administration
Health system employer

Your fit

Questions to ask

  • Can you walk me through differentials?
  • What should I expect for shifts, 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?
Build questions for this role

On your path

ICU / Critical Care is a specialty you move into. The classic route: base year, then transfer in.

Original listing

Read full text

Registered Nurse - Critical Care

Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Health Administration

Veterans Health Administration

This job announcement has closed

Print

  • Summary
  • This job is open to
  • Duties
  • Requirements
  • How you will be evaluated
  • Required documents
  • How to apply

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 VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Learn more about this agency

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 VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Reviewing applications

Open date: 07/29/2026 Closed date: 08/03/2026

This job will close when we have received 25 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

Location

1 vacancy in the following location

Chicago, IL

1 vacancy

No matching locations found.

Work site options

  • Telework eligibleNoRemote jobNoRelocation expenses reimbursed
  • No
  • Salary
  • $80,018 - $149,392 per year
  • Pay scale & grade

VN 00

Promotion potential None

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work scheduleFull-timeTravel RequiredNot required

Appointment typePermanent

Occupations and job series

  • 0610 Nurse

Supervisory statusNoFederal service typeThis job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a unionNo

Drug testYesSecurity clearanceOtherPosition sensitivity and riskNon-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

  • Credentialing
  • Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure requiredNo

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement numberCAZP-13024587-26-SRControl number878555100

This job is open to

Help

[The public\\ \\ U. S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U. S.](https://www.usajobs.gov/HiringPath/Public "The public")

[Internal to an agency\\ \\ Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.](https://www.usajobs.gov/HiringPath/InternalToAnAgency "Internal to an agency")

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.

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Duties

Help

The Registered Nurse, Critical Care, is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients with oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting.

The Registered Nurse, Critical Care, duties include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization.
  • Practice includes directing other providers.
  • Partners with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary team to promote effective and safe transitions across the health care continuum.
  • Provides direct care for acutely/critically ill patients who are at high risk for actual or potential life-threatening health problems, regardless of the setting for nursing care.
  • Provides high intensity care and vigilance, while refining assessment skills, blending in data obtained from a variety of invasive/noninvasive monitoring technology.
  • This nurse has fundamental experience with the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform, integrating theoretical concepts, basic critical thinking skills, and technically skilled practice.
  • Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components.
  • 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.

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 - Sunday, 6 -12 hours shifts, 1 -

  • 8 hour shift; weekends & holidays

Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA. ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Requirements

Help

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.
  • 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

  • BSN
  • CCRN
  • At least 5 years of…

What's around it?

In Chicago, IL

Chicago, ILFrom Census ACS 2024.

Living costs about 4% above the US average

Median rent
$1,440/mo
Household income
$77,902/yr, all local households, not nurse pay

See Chicago, IL

Nurses on this role

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