Summary Iowa City VA Health Care System (ICVAHCS) in Iowa City, Iowa, wants to invite 4 nursing students who are currently in their Junior year to apply for our VA Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP). Failing to submit any documentation that is required and listed under the "Required Documents" tab may result in loss of consideration. Responsibilities 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 Requirements Conditions of Employment Must submit the following: Resume Unofficial transcript(s) showing your GPA, School of Nursing, and that you are completing your Junior year (OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) WILL BE REQUESTED AT THE TIME A SELECTION IS MADE) Two letters of reference, one must be from a current faculty member from the School of Nursing to the ICVAHCS VALOR Coordinator WILL BE REQUIRED AT THE TIME A SELECTION IS MADE, which includes the following: Nomination of the student to the program Verification of enrollment as a full-time student (as defined by the school) Date or anticipated date of successful completion of Junior year by May/June 2023 (or its equivalent for rotating time off school schedules) Anticipated date of graduation (must be within one year after entry into the Nursing VA-STEP program) 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements at the time of application. Basic Requirements: Applicants must have United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Applicants to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402 (d) and 7407 (d). Applicants must be currently enrolled in a BSN program that is either ACEN or CCNE accredited. Currently in a Baccalaureate of Science Nursing program and will have completed your Junior year of school by the start of the VALOR program, which begins in the summer. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The CGPA must be computed on a 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 CGPA for the nursing core courses may not be less than a 3.0. (Unofficial transcript must be submitted to verify). Applicants must be willing to accept a temporary appointment not-to-exceed 400 hours as a Nursing VALOR student in a VA facility. Physical Requirements: Pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying of 45 pounds and over may be required. There may also be long periods of standing, sitting, walking, bending or stooping-and those situations may be frequent. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.NOTES:1) Your nursing program must remain accredited during the duration of the internship.2) Participation in an interview (either in-person or phone/online) at a mutually agreed time, as requested3) Upon notification by ICVAHCS of selection as a Nursing VA-Step student, confirm acceptance to initiate the employment process. There may be additional items requested closer to employment start date such as additional confirmation from school of semester completion, and updated transcripts. Education Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.