BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
Licensure
For all grade levels and positions, applicants must have passed the
National Council Licensure Examination (external link). In addition, they must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicant must meet the qualification requirements below:
GS-05: Applicants must meet one of the following qualification requirements a) possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing with no experience; or b) possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and one full year of professional nursing experience.
GS-07: In addition to the above basic requirements, applicants must meet one of the following requirements a) possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing and eligibility under the
Superior Academic Achievement provision; b) possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing and at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level); c) possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and two full years of professional nursing experience; or d) completion of at least one full year of graduate education in a professional nursing educational program.
GS-09: In addition to the above requirements, applicants must meet one of the following requirements a) possession of a master's degree in professional nursing; or at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-7 grade level or above) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in Nursing from a professional nursing program.
GS-10: In addition to the above requirements, applicants must meet one of the following requirements a) successful completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field; or b) at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program.
GS-11: In addition to the above requirements, applicants must meet one of the following requirements a) successful completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field; or b) at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program.
GS-12: In addition to the mandatory license and education described above under Basic Requirements applicants must have at least one or more full years of professional nursing experience performing the duties of the position being filled and which may include providing comprehensive professional nursing care to patients; providing extensive follow-up and preventative health care, planning intervention and evaluation of patients care methods for issues and problems; examining diagnose and treating diseases; interpreting and examining findings and test results.
GS-13: In addition to the mandatory license and education described above under Basic Requirements applicants must have at least one or more full years of professional nursing experience performing the duties of the position being filled and which may include providing effective direct and indirect care to patients and families based on nursing diagnoses indicated by individual needs; plan, schedule and provide complete nursing care with the physician leader; provide critical care management through the entire continuum of care: per-hospital, resuscitation, stabilization, support care and rehabilitation.
GS-14: In addition to the mandatory license and education described above under basic requirements applicants must have at least one or more full years of professional nursing experience performing the duties of the position being filled and which may include plan, schedule and provide complete nursing care with the physician leader; provide critical care management through the entire continuum of care: per-hospital, resuscitation, stabilization, support care and rehabilitation.
GS-15: In addition to the mandatory license and education described above under basic requirements applicants must have at least one or more full years of professional nursing experience performing the duties of the position being filled and which may include plan, schedule and provide complete nursing care with the physician leader; provide critical care management through the entire continuum of care: per-hospital, resuscitation, stabilization, support care and rehabilitation.
To view additional qualifying information, click on the following link:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/nurse-series-0610/
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
1. Knowledge of professional nursing care theories, principles, practices, and procedures to perform nursing assignments of moderate difficulty.
2. Knowledge of a variety of pharmacological agents used in patient treatment, the desired effects, side effects, and complications of their use.
3. Knowledge of the administrative requirements for proper documentation of patient condition including disease progress, acknowledgement of teaching, and follow up care.
4. Skill in setting up and operating specialized medical equipment such as resuscitators, cardiac monitoring devices, EKG units, oxygen analyzers, and ventilators.
5. Ability to assess patient care needs, develop nursing care plans, and advise on changes in patient status.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.