Elevate Your Nursing Leadership: Become an Assistant Nurse Manager at the Sioux Falls VA
For professional nurses, career progression is rarely just about stepping away from the bedside; it is about finding a position where clinical expertise can actively shape the systems of care. The Sioux Falls VA Health Care System is offering a premier leadership opportunity for an experienced professional to step into the role of Registered Nurse - Assistant Nurse Manager. Based in the vibrant community of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, this role presents a unique hybrid pathway—allowing you to remain rooted in patient-centered bedside practice while expanding your capabilities in operational strategy, staff advocacy, and systemic quality improvement.
Working as an Assistant Nurse Manager within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a distinct honor. You are not just managing shifts; you are directly fulfilling President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have borne the battle. This article details the structural dynamics of this position, the unique organizational mission in Sioux Falls, compensation expectations, and the pathways for qualifying for various federal nursing grades.
About the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System
The Sioux Falls VA Health Care System is a vital pillar of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23). As a top-tier teaching hospital, the facility provides comprehensive health services, integrating state-of-the-art medical technology with ground-breaking research and clinical education. Patients here receive tertiary, primary, and long-term care services spanning medicine, surgery, psychiatry, neurology, oncology, and rehabilitative therapy.
What truly sets this facility apart is its commitment to a Whole Health System of Care. This approach empowers, equips, and treats the individual rather than simply managing diseases. It fosters personalized health planning in the context of healing relationships and therapeutic environments. As a nursing leader here, you will champions these principles, leading staff to build deep, meaningful connections with Veterans and their families.
Job Responsibilities and Core Duties
The Assistant Nurse Manager plays a critical collaborative role, partnering closely with the primary Nurse Manager to lead daily operations, develop nursing staff, and optimize unit workflows. You will maintain a highly visible presence, acting as a bridge between frontline clinical nursing staff and executive leadership.
Key responsibilities include:
- Operational Leadership & Staffing: Creating equitable clinical schedules, managing daily resource allocations, and evaluating unit workloads to ensure safe patient-staff ratios.
- Performance Management: Conducting personnel reviews, resolving employee relations matters, and mentoring staff nurses through educational feedback and structured coaching.
- Quality & Workflow Optimization: Continually assessing care delivery models, seeking efficiencies in daily clinical processes, and designing action plans to elevate overall safety and clinical outcomes.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Serving as a liaison between nursing, specialty medicine, social work, therapy services, and administration to build cohesive, patient-centered care strategies.
- Bedside Excellence: Providing direct, hands-on nursing care when operational demands require assistance, demonstrating advanced clinical techniques and evidence-based practice models.
Educational Requirements and Grade Determinations
Federal nursing positions within the Veterans Health Administration utilize a structured grading standard (Title 38) rather than general schedule (GS) grades. Your education, clinical accomplishments, and scope of practice will determine your initial Grade and Step placement.
Basic Educational and Professional Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship: Generally required; non-citizens are only considered if no qualified U.S. citizens apply.
- English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
- Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted registration as an RN in any U.S. State, Territory, or the District of Columbia.
- Accredited Education: A degree from a professional school of nursing accredited by either the ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) or the CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education).
VHA Nursing Grade Criteria
- Nurse I, Level I: Requires an Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing with no prior professional experience.
- Nurse I, Level II: Requires an ADN/Diploma and 1 year of experience, OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional experience.
- Nurse I, Level III: Requires an ADN/Diploma and 2 years of experience, OR a BSN and 1 year of experience, OR an MSN with no experience.
- Nurse II: Requires a BSN and 2 years of professional experience, OR an MSN and 1 year of experience, OR a Doctoral degree in nursing with no experience.
- Nurse III: Requires an MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience (with at least one year equivalent to Nurse II), OR a Doctoral degree and 1 year of specialized experience.
Comparing Nursing Grade Levels
The following table outlines how your educational achievements interact with professional clinical experience to determine your initial placement on the VA Nurse pay scale:
| Nursing Grade Level | Minimum Educational Requirement | Required Specialized Experience | Focus of Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse I, Level I | ADN or Diploma | None | Acquiring technical competencies and fundamental nursing skills. |
| Nurse I, Level II | ADN or BSN | 1 Year (for ADN); None (for BSN) | Integrating cognitive skills to manage basic and complex care. |
| Nurse I, Level III | ADN, BSN, or MSN | 2 Years (ADN); 1 Year (BSN); None (MSN) | Managing complex patient care through deliberate, self-directed planning. |
| Nurse II | BSN, MSN, or Doctorate | 2 Years (BSN); 1 Year (MSN); None (Doctorate) | Collaborative leadership and systemic improvement of holistic care. |
| Nurse III | MSN or Doctorate | 2 Years (MSN); 1 Year (Doctorate) | Broad organizational leadership and creative clinical management. |
Salary and Compensation Breakdown
The compensation package for this role is highly competitive, reflecting the immense value placed on clinical leaders. The salary range spans from $70,979 to $127,773 per year.
Your specific placement within this scale is established by a local VA Nurse Professional Standards Board, which reviews your portfolio, certifications, education, and years of experience. Furthermore, VA nurses benefit from the Nurse Locality Pay System (LPS), which ensures that local compensation rates align with the private sector. Additionally, premium pay is available for overtime, weekend, night-shift, on-call, and holiday duty, alongside potential performance-based financial awards.
Comprehensive Federal Benefits
Choosing a career with the VA means gaining access to a benefits package that outclasses most private sector healthcare networks. Some of the industry-leading perks include:
- Unrivaled Paid Time Off: Full-time VA nurses enjoy 50 days of paid time off each year, which breaks down to 26 days of annual vacation leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
- Secure Retirement: Benefit from the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) traditional pension (vesting after just 5 years) combined with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which features an immediate 1% agency contribution and up to an additional 4% matching contribution.
- Federal Health Insurance: Access to a diverse range of premier health, vision, dental, life, and long-term care plans with pre-tax premiums.
- Family-Friendly Programs: Includes 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave and federal child care subsidy programs for qualifying applicants.
- Favorable Work Schedule: A rare Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM schedule, ensuring you have your evenings and weekends free.
Application Process and Essential Tips
The recruitment window for this leadership role closes on September 9, 2026. To present the strongest possible application, review these strategic recommendations:
- Detail Your Dimensions of Practice: The VA evaluates applicants across five key criteria: Practice, Veteran/Patient-Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence-Based Practice/Research. Make sure your resume contains concrete examples of how you have excelled in each area.
- Account for Every Hour: When documenting past experience, list your exact employment dates (MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY) and the average number of hours worked per week. Omitting these details can lead to an inaccurate assessment of your qualifying experience.
- Prepare Your Portfolio: Gather your unofficial transcripts, active RN licenses, DD-214 forms (for military service members claiming Veterans' Preference), and past SF-50 forms (for current/former federal employees) ahead of time.
- Late Submissions Contact: If you face technical issues or notice the posting after the deadline, reach out immediately to HR Specialist Sandi Ortega at [email protected] or call 910-232-7476 to see if your application can still be accepted.
Do I need a license in the state of South Dakota to work at this facility?
No. Since this is a federal facility, you only need an active, unrestricted RN license from any U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth.
What are the health and screening requirements for selection?
Selected candidates must complete a pre-employment physical assessment and undergo a urinalysis drug screening. Additionally, because you will be in contact with patients, participation in the annual seasonal influenza immunization program is a mandatory condition of employment.
The Assistant Nurse Manager role within the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System is far more than a standard clinical position; it is an invitation to steer the future of nursing care for our nation's heroes. With a competitive salary, an unparalleled schedule, and a benefits package that guarantees long-term stability, this opportunity represents an ideal next step for an ambitious nurse looking to expand their leadership horizons. Secure your chance to lead and make a lasting impact by submitting your application package before the September 9, 2026 deadline.
Why This Registered Nurse - Assistant Nurse Manager Job Matters
Step into a rewarding leadership role where you can guide clinical excellence, mentor dedicated staff, and deliver exceptional care directly to our nation's heroes.
Registered Nurse - Assistant Nurse Manager Job Overview
The Sioux Falls VA Health Care System is seeking a dedicated and collaborative Registered Nurse to step into the role of Assistant Nurse Manager. This clinical leadership position offers a unique balance between operational guidance and direct bedside care. Working in close partnership with the Nurse Manager, you will help shape nursing workflows, support team development, and foster a high-reliability, patient-centric healing environment for Veterans.
Requirements for Registered Nurse - Assistant Nurse Manager
- U.S. Citizenship (non-citizens may only be appointed under rare exceptions where qualified citizens are unavailable).
- Current, active, full, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
- Graduate of a professional nursing school accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) at the time of graduation.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English as required by federal mandate.
- Successful completion of a pre-employment physical evaluation and a background/security check.
- Participation in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program (or authorized religious/medical exemption).
- Registration with the Selective Service for males born after December 31, 1959.
- Compliance with federal pre-employment drug screening (urinalysis).
Preferred Qualifications for Registered Nurse - Assistant Nurse Manager
- Prior leadership, supervisory, or clinical management experience in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
- Proven track record of organizing staff schedules, resolving employee relations concerns, and leading performance reviews.
- Experience implementing evidence-based practice changes and managing unit-level workflows.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Unrivaled Paid Time Off: 50 days of total paid time off annually, consisting of 26 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 11 paid federal holidays.
- ✓Robust Retirement Package: Traditional federal pension plan (vesting after 5 years) and a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% employer match.
- ✓Excellent Insurance Coverages: Access to premium health, dental, vision, long-term care, and term life insurance plans.
- ✓12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave for eligible new parents.
- ✓Dedicated Leave Programs: Special leave provisions for military service, organ donation, and disabled veterans.
- ✓Work-Life Harmony: Set, non-rotating day shift hours (Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM).
- ✓Continuous Learning: Strong institutional support for ongoing education, local professional development, and clinical specialty training.
💡 How to Apply Registered Nurse - Assistant Nurse Manager Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Registered Nurse - Assistant Nurse Manager Job
- Navigate to the official USAJobs application portal using the vacancy link.
- Sign in to your verified USAJobs account or create a new profile.
- Compile and upload your professional resume/CV, ensuring it details weekly hours, starting/ending months and years, and specific clinical leadership experiences.
- Complete the occupational assessment questionnaire to detail your nursing competencies.
- Submit required documentation, including active nursing licenses, transcripts, and (if applicable) DD-214 or SF-50 forms.
- Review your submitted details and complete the application before the September 9, 2026 deadline.
💡 General Tips
- Align your resume to highlight experience across the five core nursing dimensions: Practice, Veteran/Patient-Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence-Based Practice/Research.
- Double-check that your nursing school's accreditation (ACEN or CCNE) is clearly documented on your transcript or resume.
- Ensure all professional nursing experience is explicitly quantified; avoid high-level summaries and instead outline your specific tasks, team sizes, and impact.
- If you encounter technical issues or miss the electronic deadline, contact the agency coordinator at [email protected] immediately to query late submission protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required for this position?
No, a BSN is not strictly mandatory. Candidates with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Nursing Diploma may qualify based on their clinical experience. However, possessing a BSN, MSN, or Doctoral degree in Nursing reduces the years of specialized experience required to achieve higher grade levels (Nurse II or Nurse III) and higher pay steps.
What is the typical work schedule for this position?
The position features a stable, full-time schedule operating Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM. This allows for excellent work-life balance. Ad-hoc telework may occasionally be authorized on a case-by-case basis depending on unit needs and completed agreements.
Can I apply if my current RN license is from a state other than South Dakota?
No. Because this is a federal position, a current, active, full, and unrestricted registered nurse license from any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth (such as Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia is fully acceptable.
Are there relocation benefits or sign-on incentives available for this role?
No. Relocation incentives, recruitment bonuses, and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are not authorized for this recruitment action.
Is prior management experience required to apply?
No. While supervisory or managerial experience is highly preferred and will make your application more competitive, it is not an absolute prerequisite. Nurses with strong leadership potential, charge nurse experience, and excellent clinical skills are encouraged to apply.