Home / Federal careers / GS-0610
Nurse
Performs professional nursing work including patient care, health assessment, and nursing management.
What GS-0610 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0610, as written.
Education
A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.
Advanced Practice Nurse Positions: For Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) positions, applicants must possess a graduate or higher level degree in nursing from an accredited educational program in the area of expertise or specialty indicated by the position.
Areas of specialties for positions include, but are not limited to, Acute Care, Anesthesia, Community Health, Family, Geriatric, Home Health, Midwifery, Neonatal, Oncology, Pediatric, Psychiatric, Allergy and Immunology, Women’s Health, Cardiovascular, Dermatology, Occupational Health, Orthopedic, Respiratory, or other specialties identified for the position.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- This series carries a positive education requirement: a degree is required and experience cannot be substituted for it.
How to qualify for GS-0610
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Army Nurse Corps Officer
Direct nursing translation. Highlight nursing care, patient management, and healthcare leadership.
Skills that carry over: Nursing Care, Patient Management, Healthcare Leadership, Clinical Skills, Team Coordination.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Nurse Anesthetist
Specialized nursing translation. Highlight anesthesia, critical care, and advanced nursing.
Skills that carry over: Anesthesia, Critical Care, Advanced Nursing, Patient Safety, Emergency Response.
Usually opens at: GS-12, GS-13, GS-14.
Perioperative Nurse
Surgical nursing translation. Highlight perioperative care, surgical nursing, and patient safety.
Skills that carry over: Perioperative Care, Surgical Nursing, Patient Safety, Sterile Technique, Team Coordination.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Provide direct patient care
- Assess patient health status
- Develop and implement care plans
- Administer medications and treatments
- Educate patients and families
- Coordinate with healthcare team
Key competencies
Patient Assessment
Ability to evaluate patient conditions through observation and examination.
Nursing Care
Skill in providing comprehensive nursing care including treatments and procedures.
Medication Administration
Knowledge of safe medication administration practices.
Care Planning
Ability to develop and implement individualized patient care plans.
Patient Education
Skill in teaching patients and families about health conditions and self-care.
Clinical Documentation
Proficiency in maintaining accurate nursing records.
Emergency Response
Ability to respond effectively to medical emergencies.
Infection Control
Knowledge of infection prevention and control practices.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0610
What is a federal Registered Nurse?
GS-0610 Nurses are registered nurses providing professional nursing care at federal facilities. They assess patients, develop care plans, administer medications, educate patients, and coordinate with healthcare teams. They work primarily at VA hospitals, IHS clinics, military treatment facilities, and federal prisons.
How much does a federal Nurse make?
GS-0610 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) for new graduates to GS-13 ($90,025-$117,034) for advanced practice nurses and managers. Most staff RN positions are GS-9/10/11 ($52,205-$82,108). VA uses Nurse Professional Standards Boards for pay—many earn above base GS. Locality pay and recruitment bonuses add significantly.
What are the requirements for GS-0610 positions?
Graduation from an accredited nursing program (BSN, ADN, or diploma) AND current, active RN license in a U.S. state or territory are mandatory. This is a positive education requirement—no substitution allowed. BSN is preferred and often required for advancement. Specialty certifications enhance competitiveness.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0610?
Your military nursing experience is highly valued, but the nursing degree and RN license are mandatory—no substitution. Military nurses transition seamlessly: your clinical experience, leadership, and understanding of veteran health issues make you ideal for VA positions. Many VA hospitals actively recruit separating military nurses.
What is the career progression for federal Nurses?
Entry at GS-5/7 for new grads, staff nurses at GS-9/10/11. Charge nurses and clinical leads reach GS-12. Nurse managers, educators, and advanced practice nurses reach GS-12/13. VA offers Nurse Professional Standards Boards for advancement. NP, CRNA, and CNS roles command highest compensation.
How do I apply for GS-0610 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Registered Nurse' or 'Staff Nurse.' VA is the largest employer of federal nurses. Also check IHS, BOP, and DoD civilian positions. Highlight your clinical specialty, certifications, and leadership experience. Veterans with RN credentials have priority at VA—your military nursing background is a significant advantage.
Ready to apply for GS-0610?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.