Duties
The VA Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP) gives outstanding registered nursing students who have completed their junior year in an accredited bachelor level nursing clinical program the opportunity to develop clinical competencies in nursing at an approved VA health care facility. Learning opportunities include didactic and classroom experiences, competency-based clinical practice with a qualified RN preceptor, and participation in nursing-focused clinical conferences.VA-STEP is designed to increase participant's nursing clinical skills, clinical judgment and critical thinking while caring for our nation's Veterans. The VA-STEP student will be partnered with a BSN or higher prepared nurse for a one-to-one preceptorship. VA-STEP students become oriented to the VA and its practice requirements, build work relationships, and network within the health care field.The goal is to hire the students into a Registered Nurse position once they meet eligibility requirements - i.e. obtain their nursing license. Students who apply for this position must have a strong desire to maintain employment with the Iowa City VA Health Care System (ICVAHCS) throughout the remainder of their schooling, after graduation, and as a new Registered Nurse. Students who are accepted into the VA-STEP program are expected to continue their career with ICVAHCS, helping meet our mission of caring for our nation's Veterans.To be considered for a VA-STEP position, a student must:
- Be currently enrolled in an ACEN or CCNE accredited BSN program.
- Have completed their junior year of a BSN program.
- Have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The CGPA must be computed on post-secondary academic work taken within the past 3 years, or based on academic work accepted for credit towards the nursing degree. While a student may have a grade of "C" in a nursing course, the cumulative CGPA for the nursing core courses may not be less than a 3.0.
- Be able to complete a minimum of 400 hours as a Nursing VA-STEP student in a VA facility by the time they graduate from their nursing program, with the majority of hours being completed during the summer. Work hours anticipated to start May/June 2025.
- Have flexibility in their work schedule. The first two weeks of employment will be Mon-Fri 0800-1630. The remaining hours is dependent on the preceptors schedule and additional unit orientation. The following are common tour schedules but not all-inclusive: 7:30am to 4:00pm, 7:30am-8:00pm, 3:30pm-12:00 am, 7:30pm-8:00am, 11:30pm-8:00am.
- Be a United States citizen and meet physical examination standards at the time of entry in the Nursing VA-STEP program.
- Must NOT be a current VA employee.
- Must not have a service obligation to any Federal, State, or Private Institution or be a recipient of any Federal Scholarship that incurs a service obligation.
As a temporary, intermittent employee, you will
not be entitled to benefits (retirement, life insurance, health insurance, or leave accrual).
Work Schedule: Intermittent - will be discussed during interview
Financial Discloser Report: Not required
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized
Relocation Expenses: Not authorized
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.
Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- Other (1)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-15
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/14/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12665505.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.