Registered Nurse - 6B Med Surg and Telemetry at Syracuse VA Medical Center

Are you looking to take your clinical career to the next level by serving the brave men and women who have defended our country? The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is seeking a compassionate, high-performing Registered Nurse (RN) to join the specialized inpatient unit on 6B (Medical, Surgical, and Telemetry) at the Syracuse VA Medical Center in Syracuse, New York.

This position is designed for an RN who wants to thrive in an environment that prioritizes evidence-based nursing, collaborative care, and continuous clinical professional development. This night-shift opportunity provides the perfect blend of high-acuity medical-surgical care and advanced telemetry practice, offering a deeply rewarding career trajectory. With competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an organization dedicated to treating employees with the utmost respect, this role at the Syracuse VA Medical Center stands out as an elite path for medical professionals.

About the Agency: The Veterans Health Administration

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is guided by a powerful mission originally stated by President Abraham Lincoln: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." Working for the Syracuse VA Medical Center means becoming a part of the nation's largest integrated health care system, serving millions of Veterans across the United States.

At the Syracuse VA, clinical teams work in a supportive, patient-centered "whole health" framework. The hospital operates as a highly modern teaching facility, which promotes a rich educational atmosphere where innovation is highly valued. As an RN on the 6B team, you will experience first-hand the profound gratitude of the patients you treat, alongside the elite resources of a federally-funded healthcare institution.

Job Responsibilities

The Inpatient Staff Registered Nurse on 6B executes critical responsibilities requiring nursing leadership, clinical knowledge, and innovative approaches to complex patient management. On this unit, you will care for a diverse population of Veterans recovering from complex surgical interventions, managing acute medical illnesses, and requiring continuous cardiac telemetry monitoring.

Your core daily and nightly duties will include, but are not limited to:

The Nursing Process: Taking full responsibility and accountability for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care plans, ensuring they address the age-specific and cultural requirements of each individual Veteran.
Telemetry and Cardiac Monitoring: Monitoring and interpreting cardiac rhythms, identifying life-threatening arrhythmias, and implementing prompt, accurate clinical interventions.
Medication Administration: Administering pharmaceutical therapies, managing intravenous drips, and coordinating clinical procedures in strict adherence to hospital safety guidelines and protocols.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Acting as a crucial bridge between patients, surgeons, hospitalists, therapists, and social workers to coordinate a comprehensive plan of care that optimizes patient outcomes and promotes customer satisfaction.
Clinical Leadership & Mentorship: Sharing expert clinical knowledge, providing constructive peer feedback, and maintaining a positive, highly supportive learning environment that aids the development of fellow health care workers.
Evidence-Based Practice: Utilizing modern, research-driven nursing techniques to analyze patient outcomes, proposing improvements in service delivery, and helping revise clinical policies.

Job Requirements & Educational Pathways

To qualify for this Title 38 federal nursing position, candidates must meet specific statutory requirements and demonstrate specialized clinical competencies. In the VA, Registered Nurses are graded under a specialized scale (Nurse I through Nurse III) based on their academic credentials and direct nursing experience.

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens. (Non-citizens will only be appointed if no qualified citizens are available).
English Proficiency: Candidates must be fully proficient in written and spoken English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
Education: Graduation from a school of professional nursing accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Licensure: Active, full, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Pre-Employment Screenings: Successful completion of a background security investigation, physical evaluation, and a drug screening urinalysis.

Nurse Grading Comparison Table

Your placement on the salary and grade scale is determined by an intensive evaluation of your professional achievements and educational qualifications across five dimensions of practice: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence-Based Practice/Research.

Nurse Grade & Level	Required Education	Required Experience
Nurse I, Level I	Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing	No experience required; entry-level competency development.
Nurse I, Level II	ADN/Diploma OR Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)	1 Year of experience equivalent to Level I (ADN) OR No experience required (BSN).
Nurse I, Level III	ADN/Diploma OR BSN OR Master's Degree (MSN/related)	2 Years of ADN exp OR 1 Year of BSN exp OR No experience required (MSN).
Nurse II	BSN OR MSN OR Doctoral Degree in Nursing (or related field)	2 Years of BSN exp OR 1 Year of MSN exp OR No experience required (Doctoral).
Nurse III	MSN OR Doctoral Degree in Nursing (or related field with BSN)	2 Years of specialized MSN exp OR 1 Year of specialized Doctoral exp.

Salary Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers an incredibly competitive pay structure. For the Registered Nurse position on 6B Med Surg and Telemetry, the annual salary ranges from $81,520 to $136,339 per year.

Your starting salary within this range is recommended based on an in-depth peer review process that looks at your academic achievements, the complexity of your past nursing roles, and your total years of clinical experience. Because this position is for the night shift (7:30 PM to 8:00 AM), additional shift differentials apply, significantly boosting your take-home pay.

Premium Benefits Package

The federal "Total Rewards" package provided to VA nurses is widely recognized as one of the best in the healthcare industry. By choosing a career with the Syracuse VA, you gain access to benefits designed to secure your health, family, and long-term financial security:

Unrivaled Paid Time Off: Receive a total of 50 paid days off annually, which includes 26 days of scheduled annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
Robust Federal Retirement: Qualify for a traditional federal pension after only 5 years of service. You also gain access to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the federal equivalent of a 401(k), featuring a dollar-for-dollar matching program of up to 5%.
Flexible Licensure: You do not need to apply for a New York state nursing license if you are already licensed elsewhere. You can practice at the Syracuse VA using any active, unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory.
Premium Insurance Coverage: Choose from a wide variety of excellent federal health, vision, dental, life, and long-term care insurance programs, many of which can be carried directly into your retirement.

Application Tips

Landing a federal position requires careful preparation. To ensure your application stands out to hiring managers and successfully passes through initial HR screenings, follow these valuable strategies:

Draft a Detailed Federal Resume: Unlike private-sector resumes, federal CVs should be long-form and highly detailed. Ensure you list the exact dates (month, day, and year) for your past employment, along with the average hours worked per week.
Highlight the Five Dimensions of Nursing: Align your resume's bullet points with the core competencies evaluated by the VA: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence-Based Practice/Research.
Include All Crucial Documents: Missing documents are the most common reason applications are disqualified. Ensure you upload legible copies of your nursing transcripts, active licenses, and, if you are a veteran, your DD-214 or SF-15.
Proofread and Double-Check ID Requirements: Starting May 7, 2025, state-issued IDs must be compliant with the REAL ID Act to be accepted for federal pre-employment onboarding. Ensure your documentation is fully up to date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Where is this position located? A: This position is on-site at the Syracuse VA Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. There are no virtual or remote work options available.

Q: What is the exact shift schedule? A: This is a full-time, night-shift position, requiring you to work from 7:30 PM to 8:00 AM.

Q: Is relocation or recruitment incentive money authorized for this position? A: No, relocation or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) incentives are not authorized for this specific vacancy.

Q: What is the policy regarding drug screenings? A: All selectees for VA healthcare positions are subject to a pre-employment urinalysis to test for illegal drug use. Passing this test is an absolute requirement for hiring.

Q: Are there opportunities for professional development? A: Yes. The Syracuse VA strongly encourages ongoing professional education, providing a supportive environment for nurse-led research, professional certifications, and continuing education courses.

Taking on the role of Registered Nurse on the 6B Medical, Surgical, and Telemetry unit at the Syracuse VA Medical Center is more than just a job—it is an honor. You will have the unique opportunity to provide vital, life-saving care to our nation's heroes, backed by a world-class federal system that provides outstanding security, exceptional paid time off, and premium retirement benefits. Don't miss this opportunity to make a massive impact on the lives of Veterans. Apply today and start your journey toward an incredibly rewarding clinical career!

Why This Registered Nurse - 6b Med Surg And Telemetry Job Matters

Elevate your nursing career by providing critical, compassionate telemetry and medical-surgical care to America's heroes at the Syracuse VA Medical Center—featuring up to $136,339 in salary, 50 days of annual paid time off, and an elite federal pension.

Registered Nurse - 6b Med Surg And Telemetry Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a qualified and dedicated Registered Nurse (RN) to join the inpatient care team on the 6B Medical, Surgical, and Telemetry unit at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. Operating on a night-shift schedule, this pivotal role involves leading complex patient care, applying cutting-edge evidence-based clinical methodologies, and working alongside a highly collaborative interdisciplinary medical team. If you are a compassionate clinical professional dedicated to serving Veterans, this position offers an exceptional environment for career advancement and unparalleled job security within the federal system.

Requirements for Registered Nurse - 6b Med Surg And Telemetry

Must hold United States Citizenship (non-citizens are considered only if no qualified citizens are available).
Must pass a pre-employment drug screening (urinalysis for illicit drug use).
Selective Service registration is mandatory for males born after December 31, 1959.
Must successfully complete a background and security investigation.
Required to pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
Must participate in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program or obtain an approved medical/religious waiver.
Onboarding requires valid identification that complies with federal REAL ID standards starting May 7, 2025.
May be required to serve an initial probationary period.

Preferred Qualifications for Registered Nurse - 6b Med Surg And Telemetry

Prior professional clinical experience working in an acute-care Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) unit.
Strong background in telemetry, cardiac monitoring, and managing complex inpatient cardiac cases.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive base pay starting from $81,520 up to $136,339 per year, with potential performance awards and regular salary increments.
✓Generous paid time off program featuring 50 days of annual leave (26 annual leave days, 13 sick leave days, and 11 paid Federal holidays).
✓Secure retirement options, including a traditional federal pension plan (vested after 5 years of service) and a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401(k) with up to 5% employer matching.
✓Premium federal health, dental, vision, term life, and long-term care insurance options, which can be carried over into your retirement.
✓Flexible licensure rule allowing you to practice at any VA facility with just one active, current, and unrestricted license from any U.S. State or territory.

💡 How to Apply Registered Nurse - 6b Med Surg And Telemetry Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Registered Nurse - 6b Med Surg And Telemetry Job

Review the official USAJobs announcement to verify your qualifications and experience align with the role.
Access the online occupational questionnaire link to preview the assessment questions.
Click the 'Apply' button to sign in or create an account on USAJOBS.
Upload your detailed resume and any necessary supporting documents (e.g., transcripts, active licenses, DD-214).
Complete the online application and submit all responses before September 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

💡 General Tips

Create a comprehensive, long-form federal resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) that specifically details your exact dates of employment, hours worked per week, and clinical responsibilities.
Structure your resume to directly address the five primary dimensions of VA nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence-Based Practice/Research.
When claiming Veteran's Preference, submit highly legible copies of your DD-214 forms or a completed SF-15 with corresponding documentation.
Be proactive in gathering contact details for your previous supervisors and professional references, as the VA utilizes intensive pre-employment reference checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shift schedule for this Registered Nurse position?

This position operates on night shifts from 7:30 PM to 8:00 AM.

Does this role allow remote or hybrid telework?

No, this is an onsite, direct clinical care role located at the Syracuse VA Medical Center, and telework options are not available.

Do I need a New York State nursing license to apply?

No, you only need one active, current, and unrestricted nursing license from any U.S. State, Territory, or the District of Columbia to practice.

Is a background check and drug screen required for employment?

Yes, all selected applicants must successfully undergo a background investigation and clear a pre-employment drug screen prior to their formal appointment.

Is the flu vaccine mandatory for VA health care workers?

Yes, all health care personnel are required to participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program or secure a validated medical or religious exemption.