Nurse Qualification Standards

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Nurse Qualification Standards Nurse Promotions
under Title 38

• Mike Boucher, MSN RN
• National VA Council President (2001-2005)

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Objectives
• State the primary difference between Title 38 and
  Title 5 promotions
• Describe the Nurse Qualification Standards in
  terms of primary components
• List three specific actions any RN can take to
  enhance their chances for promotion in Title 38

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• 5 United States Code
• Title 5
• Civil Service
• Merit Systems
• Exists government-wide
• Rank in position
• Position Description determines grade

• 38 United States Code
• Title 38
• Veterans Health Administration ONLY
• Not associated with Merit Systems
• Rank in Person
• Personal Qualifications determine grade

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• What is considered when determining grade under
  Title 38
• Education
• Experience
• Evidence of performance

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• What is NOT considered when determining grade
  under Title 38
• Seniority (seniority pay is covered by WIGI-
  within grade increases)
• Title 5 equivalence
• Job Title
• Other merit systems considerations

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Nurse Professional Standards Board
• A true peer review system!!!
• Compares documented evidence of performance
  against a fixed standard (the Nurse Qualification
  Standard)
• A recommending body only

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Nurse Qualification Standard
• National Requirements
• Educational Requirements
• Nurse I Any degree
• Nurse II BSN is minimum standard
• Nurse III and up MSN is the minimum standard
• Waiver system is in place
• Performance criteria

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Nurse Qualification Standards
• are based on American Nurses Association
  standards
• use scope and 9 dimensions of nursing practice to
  evaluate performance
• are established on basis of increasing complexity
  and impact

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38
9 Dimensions of Nursing Practice
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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38
So what must I do to get promoted ???
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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Know the Nurse Qualification Standards for your
  current and next higher grade
• Understand and make effective use of the RN
  proficiency reporting system and reconsideration
  rights
• Develop your marketing skills

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• 1 - Know the standards
• Being good at what you do is not enough!
• You must meet or exceed your current grades
  performance standards, AND
• You must at least meet the standards of the grade
  to which you wish to be promoted

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• 2 - Use proficiency system to advantage
• Check in at least quarterly with your supervisor
  regarding your performance
• Seek work experiences which demonstrate
  increasing scope, complexity, and impact
• Make sure you submit your proficiency input when
  asked, and give examples of meeting next higher
  standards
• If your proficiency doesnt reflect your work,
  use the addendum and reconsideration rights

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Reconsideration Rights (VA Handbook 5005)
• Nurse Manager / First Line Supervisor
• Nurse Professional Standards Board
• Chief Nurse Executive / Chief of Staff
• Medical Center Director
• Technical Review - VACO OHRM (05)
• Undersecretary for Veterans Health (108)

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• What cant be reconsidered?
• Directors decision not to grant a waiver
• What can be reconsidered?
• NPSB recommendation of do not promote
• Directors decision not to promote
• Disputed interpretation of nurse qualification
  standards
• Evidence supporting meeting a dimension that NPSB
  indicated was not met

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38
3 - Market yourself !!!

• Sell the outcomes of your work
• Sell the impact of your work
• Sell ongoing and sustained contributions

• Get letters or other documentation from committee
  chairs or liaisons
• Document your community involvement as it
  relates to the NQS

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Questions Answers
• If you have specific questions about
  union input into this process Stay Tuned !!!

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Promotions
• Part 2

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• How your union can help you get promoted

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Your UAN local can help you by
• Nominating bargaining unit members to the Nurse
  Professional Standards Board
• Holding management accountable for timely
  proficiency report completion
• Holding management accountable for timely board
  actions
• Clarifying areas of confusion in interpretation
  of the NPSB regulations or Nurse Qualification
  Standards

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Your UAN local may also offer or file
• Individual or group consultation on promotion
• Advice or assistance with the appeal or addendum
  process
• Grievances for failures of management to
  complete proficiencies or board actions in a
  timely manner
• ULP (Unfair Labor Practice) charges if promotion
  is withheld/denied because of union status or
  involvement

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38

• Understand the process
• Use available helps
• Union monitors and assists

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Nurse Qualification Standards RN Promotions
under Title 38
This presentation was brought to you by
National VA Council United American Nurses,
AFL-CIO