Nurse 2 or 3?

[Eskilesrn]

Thinking of applying for position at VA...23 years RN exp, BSN, CEN, CPEN, CPN, hRO trainer, pediatric ICU/ED, adult ED, heart transplant, quality improvement specialist w/ regulatory exp, state EMSC advisory board, published, multiple unit/department projects (designed simulations, competencies, QI initiatives). No MSN. Nurse 2 or 3?

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

See this link.  My understanding is you need an MSN or a master's in a related field for nurse 3.  You can still get additional steps within nurse 2.  So it's important that you spend time writing the 'dimensions' they give you when you come in. My wife came in as a nurse 2 step 3 with a BSN and 4 years experience for example.

http://ninedimensionsofnursingpractice.blogspot.com/2011/08/template-for-VA-npsb-nurse-professional.html

[Arr-tistRN]

You would get a nurse 2, you need a masters to be hired on as a 3.

[B52, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I have an MSN and one of my co-workers has a DNP, and we're both a nurse 2.

[Cheezecakes, RN]

Having worked as a VA Nurse Manager and the Nursing Board, I can tell you that you might be hired as a 2 without the Masters Degree. That being said, a waiver may be used once in your climb up if your contributions to the practice are at a Nurse 3 level, at least it was offered in our facility. In your resume and future proficiencies, be clear on what sustainable changes you initiated and the outcomes/improvements. I also benefitted from their generous scholarship program, starting as an LPN and retiring with a Masters in Clinical Systems Leadership. Don't be discouraged if the initial boarding is not where you want it to be, you may counter and negotiate as well. The VA has a lot of potential for a motivated nurse such as yourself. 

[Arr-tistRN]

Board member here, you can't be hired as a 3 without MSN.