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Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Des Moines, Iowa, United States Posted Aug 30, 2026
On-siteUSD 72,000 - 134,000 / year

About this role

Department of Veterans Affairs

Posted 2d ago Des Moines, Iowa, United States $72k-$134k/yr Onsite Full Time

Responsibilities

  • administering medications
  • coordinating care
  • documenting assessments

Requirements

  • Requires English proficiency

  • Accredited professional nursing education, and an unrestricted U.S. RN registration. Candidates must pass drug screening

  • Security investigation

  • Physical evaluation, and influenza vaccination requirements

  • Technical tools mentioned

  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

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

Duties

  • The Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN) provides and leads the provision of competent, evidence-based care, the psychiatric MH RN independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care, milieu management, and maintains self awareness wile caring for patients living with MH conditions. Major duties include but are not limited to: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. 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. Facilitate shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse -led psychoeducational groups; use therapeutic communication techniques, practices de-escalation techniques, and utilize Actively participates in MH interdisciplinary treatment team, MH Environment of Care rounds, and psychiatric emergencies, reports, and addresses safety concerns, and documents nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy. Is trained and current on Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) levels I-III and utilizes PMDB effectively with a focus on de-escalation methods. Handles multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions while maintaining clear concise communication with all parties. Delivers self-directed, professional nursing practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation) for complex patients based on conscious and deliberate planning with occasional supervision. 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: NIGHTS- six -12 hour shifts from 1930 -0800 & one -8 hour shift from 2330-0800, rotating weekends & holidays Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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 profess

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