Make a difference in the quality of nursing care delivered to Veterans: Apply to be the Chief Nursing Officer at VA

Calling all Nurse Executives in the nation’s capital: You can drive results and support innovation in the delivery of nursing services to Veterans by applying for the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) position at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“The CNO is a critical adviser to VA leadership,” said Donna Collins, National Associate Director of Nurse Recruitment and Retention at VA’s National Healthcare Recruitment Service. “We seek a leader ready to guide policy decisions and resolve the complex challenges involved in Veterans’ nursing care at VA.”

Choose VA to be a nurse leader

The CNO is an executive leader who shapes the delivery of nursing care to more than 9 million Veterans who seek care at VA’s 170 VA medical centers and outpatient centers around the country. Among other duties, the CNO provides strategic advice to the Veterans Health Administration Under Secretary of Health on policies and procedures to improve the quality of care delivered by VA’s 35,000 registered nurses and 60,000 nursing service employees.

“As they build an effective work team of clinical experts and support staff in the Office of Nursing Services, the CNO coordinates and supports the enrichment of nursing services on a national level,” Collins said. “This is the job of a lifetime.”

The CNO develops national policy and guidelines for the nursing workforce at VA. Qualified candidates bring broad experience in clinical treatment modalities, administrative and clinical support systems. They should know how multifaceted healthcare delivery systems function and be skilled in strategic planning, organizational assessments and program development.

Choose VA to promote high-quality nursing care

In this role, the CNO will receive a competitive salary and a wide array of benefits, including medical and dental insurance and generous leave policies. Like all employees, Nurse Executives can participate in the federal retirement system. Other benefits of a VA career include:

• Market, performance and incentive pay based on education and length of practice.
• Rewards for performance, accelerated raises, step increases and honors for outstanding performance.
• Relocation reimbursements and retention allowances of up to 25 percent of the basic pay rate.

Applicants with a master’s degree in nursing, active license anywhere in the United States and experience in a senior leadership position at a large hospital or within a large healthcare system should apply by Feb. 18, 2019.

“We look forward to interviewing nurse leader candidates in and around Washington, D.C., and talking to those willing to relocate to D.C.,” Collins said.

Choose VA today
Lead, mentor and make a difference in the quality of nursing care delivered to Veterans: Apply to become a CNO at VA.

• APPLY for the open CNO position.
• READ about VA nursing at the VA Office of Nursing Services website and in the nursing brochure (PDF).
• EXPLORE other VA senior leadership positions.
• LEARN how to Choose VA at www.VAcareers.va.gov.