Registered Nurse- Deputy Nurse Executive Job

Become a Strategic Leader: Registered Nurse - Deputy Nurse Executive (Nurse V) in Minneapolis

In the evolving landscape of federal healthcare, leadership requires more than clinical oversight; it demands strategic vision, systemic adaptation, and a deep commitment to systemic quality. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is seeking an accomplished nursing executive to fill the crucial role of Registered Nurse - Deputy Nurse Executive (Nurse V) at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. This position is a rare opportunity for highly qualified clinical leaders to drive policy, innovate care structures, and champion the continuous clinical welfare of our nation's heroes.

Serving as a principal partner to the Associate Director for Patient Care Services, the Deputy Nurse Executive acts as an executive administrator and critical decision-maker. If you are a collaborative leader with deep business acumen and a background in complex nursing leadership, this executive post offers the platform to transform healthcare delivery on a massive scale.

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About the Agency: Minneapolis VA Health Care System

The Department of Veterans Affairs is guided by President Lincoln’s promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." To honor this, the Minneapolis VA Health Care System serves more than 100,000 Veterans across 15 locations throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

At the center of this network is the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, a Level 1A Complexity teaching hospital located adjacent to the beautiful Minnehaha Regional Park. The facility features highly advanced medical technology, four major research centers, and multiple Regional and National Specialty Care Centers. Integrating extensive academic partnerships, the system delivers comprehensive tertiary care spanning critical areas like surgery, oncology, mental health, neurology, geriatrics, and complex rehabilitation.

Operating within the VA Midwest Health Care Network, the facility champions a Whole Health System of care. This approach prioritizes a personalized wellness plan designed in the context of healing relationships and community integration, enabling Veterans to live life to the fullest. Minnesota, renowned as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," pairs this exceptional professional mission with an outstanding quality of life, marked by vibrant community networks, cultural landmarks, and rich year-round outdoor recreation.

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Job Responsibilities and Strategic Leadership Scope

The Deputy Nurse Executive operates at an advanced organizational level, driving programmatic excellence across diverse clinical spheres. Key assignments include direct supervisory responsibility for key leaders who shape daily clinical performance, and strategic oversight over nursing systems.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Executive Supervision: Lead, mentor, and directly supervise clinical administrative figures, including the Chief Nurse of Daily Nursing Operations and Professional Practice, the Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO), the Nurse Recruiter, the Professional Governance and Pathway to Excellence Coordinator, the Staffing Methodology Coordinator, and additional program coordinators.
• Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Oversight: Direct programmatic management and continuous operational oversight of the critical Sterile Processing Service under the direction of the ADPCS.
• Policy and System Innovation: Evaluate medical and clinical technologies, evaluating how policies and practices influence both the active nursing workforce and the health outcomes of served Veterans.
• Collaborative Strategic Planning: Partner with interprofessional executives to construct organizational goals, navigate complex administrative decision-making, and resolve critical healthcare delivery challenges.
• Quality & Performance Optimization: Establish robust oversight frameworks to capture, analyze, and report on key clinical performance indicators, implementing corrective plans or Root Cause Analysis (RCA) outcomes to resolve systemic variances.
• Recruitment and Retention: Direct high-level workforce solutions and programmatic strategies aimed at acquiring and maintaining top-tier nursing talent.

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Comprehensive Requirements and Qualifications Matrix

To qualify for this executive-level appointment (Nurse V), applicants must meet rigorous professional criteria. VHA evaluations prioritize an individual's leadership capacity, clinical business acumen, and history of managing complex nursing processes.

Basic Federal Requirements

1. U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of the United States. Non-citizens are only considered under rare circumstances where no qualified citizens are available.
2. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
3. Licensure: Hold an active, full, current, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in any State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
4. Background Checks and Physical Exams: Must successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination, background check, credentialing review, and pre-employment drug screening.

Educational & Experience Pathways

Qualification for the Nurse V designation relies on a strict combination of education and specialized experience. The following table highlights the pathways available:

Highest Degree Completed	Required Degree Type	Minimum Professional Experience	Minimum Nurse IV Experience Required
Master's Degree	MSN (or Related Master's + BSN)	5 Years	1 Year (or equivalent specialized experience)
Doctoral Degree	Nursing Doctorate (or Related PhD + BSN)	4 Years	1 Year (or equivalent specialized experience)

Note: All foreign degrees must undergo a formal degree equivalency validation from an agency accepted by the VA, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).

Essential Dimension Requirements

Beyond degrees, candidates must exhibit excellence in the following dimensions:

• Leadership: Setting organizational strategic direction, translating clinical vision into practice, and driving measurable institutional changes.
• Business Acumen: Applying systems thinking, clinical informatics, data analytics, and resources management to optimize delivery models.
• Inspiring a Shared Lifestyle: Fostering shared governance, building strong organizational trust, and promoting dynamic cultural competency.
• Communication: Cultivating relationship management principles that build exceptional customer experiences.
• Professional Responsibility: Setting the baseline for ethical nursing practice, health equity, and the translation of research into daily clinical operations.

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Salary Overview and Total Rewards

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers an industry-leading total rewards package designed to support and protect executive healthcare professionals throughout their careers.

• Salary Range: $221,750 to $228,000 per year, with options for regular increases and performance-based awards.
• Generous Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid leave annually (comprising 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays).
• Robust Pension & Retirement: Traditional federal pension vesting after just five years of service, paired with the Thrift Savings Plan (401k) offering up to a 5% matching contribution from the VA.
• Comprehensive Insurance: Full access to premium Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB), including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance, with the unique ability to carry these benefits into retirement.
• Practice Flexibility: Licensed professionals can practice in any VA facility with just one active, unrestricted license from any state or U.S. territory.

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Application Steps and Insider Tips

The application window closes on July 27, 2026. Because this is an executive-level federal application process, submitting a complete and properly formatted package is essential.

Application Steps:

1. Register/Log In: Head to USAJOBS to access the vacancy page and establish your user account.
2. Utilize the Clinical Resume Template: Follow the mandatory VA guidelines and download the clinical resume document. This document must be uploaded without alteration into the two-page limited "Resume" upload field on USA Staffing.
3. Include Your Full CV: Upload your comprehensive, unrestricted multi-page CV/Resume to the "Other" document field to ensure hiring managers have a complete view of your executive history.
4. Submit Supporting Documentation: Include your active RN license, official academic transcripts, DD-214 (if claiming Veterans' Preference), and an SF-15 (if claiming 10-point disability preference).
5. Complete the Assessment Questionnaire: Answer the occupational questionnaire carefully and submit all files by 11:59 PM ET on the deadline.

Insider Tips for Success:

• Avoid Vague Phrases: Federal recruiters cannot make assumptions about your experience. Be highly specific in detailing your scope of oversight, budget control, and direct reports.
• Target the Five Dimensions: Write your multi-page CV to explicitly address performance across the five dimensions of VHA nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence-Based Practice.
• Focus on Scale: Clearly detail the size of the inpatient or outpatient units you have supervised, emphasizing any experience operating at the Nurse IV or equivalent system executive level.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I apply for this position if I live outside of Minnesota?

Yes! Candidates with an active, unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory are qualified to apply. However, please note that relocation and recruitment incentives (PCS) are not authorized for this specific vacancy, and relocation expenses must be covered by the applicant.

Q2: What is the required work schedule?

This is a full-time executive position. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Q3: Is there a probation period?

Yes, selectees may be required to serve a standard probationary period associated with federal excepted service appointments.

Q4: Are vaccination programs mandatory?

Yes, participation in the annual seasonal influenza immunization program is a formal condition of employment for all VHA healthcare personnel, unless a formal medical or religious exemption is approved.

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The position of Registered Nurse - Deputy Nurse Executive (Nurse V) is more than a career step; it is a profound leadership journey at one of the nation's premier VA medical facilities. Operating in the heart of Minneapolis, this role offers the distinct opportunity to steer clinical strategies, influence system-wide operations, and lead a dedicated workforce in service of those who have sacrificed for our nation. Secure your place at the forefront of clinical executive leadership by preparing and submitting your application before the closing date.