RN - Emergency Department in beautiful Ketchikan, AK

RN - Emergency Department

Experience the last frontier in Ketchikan, Alaska. Get paid to live in a fisherman's paradise!

We have permanent and temporary roles for those looking to dip their toe into the Alaska experience, summer of 2026. Just in time for salmon season.

Ketchikan a friendly, family-oriented community in scenic Southeast Alaska, just an hour and a half flight from Seattle. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, cultural art aficionados or for those seeking a small-town, leisure lifestyle. Enjoy the idyllic scenery, abundant wildlife, and great opportunities for hiking, fishing, and boating. The southern tip of the panhandle calls itself the Salmon Capital of the World.

PeaceHealth has been serving the communities of Southeast Alaska since 1923 with Ketchikan Medical Center, a 25-bed critical-access hospital offering comprehensive trauma care, outpatient and home health services, and a 29-bed long-term care facility. Primary and specialty medical care is provided by PeaceHealth Medical Group—Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island. Our Trauma IV emergency department operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Wages: $44.77 to $71.09, depending on experience

Shift differentials

Generous housing stipend for temporary roles

Hiring bonus and relocation assistance may be available for those relocating over 50 miles.

Job Summary

Provides professional nursing direct patient care in compliance with professional practice and unit standards. Promotes a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach towards patients, families and all members of the care delivery team.

Essential Functions

1. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care needs.
2. Documents patient care in the healthcare record according to established standards.
3. Directs and delegates care to other team members in accordance with their education, credentials, and demonstrated competence.
4. Ensures own professional effectiveness through education and professional development.
5. Participates in the development of and maintains established hospital policies, procedures and objectives, quality improvement, safety, environmental and infection prevention program.
6. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

• Required: Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing
• BSN preferred
• Specialty certification preferred.

Experience/Training:

• Must demonstrate independent management of cardiac, critical care, complex care med/surg, psychiatric, and multiple trauma patients of all age groups.
• A minimum of 1 year as a primary clinical provider in the ER setting is preferred.
• The ability to work in an intermittently fast paced, high volume, high-risk environment is required.
• IV Skills for all ages required.
• Computer charting required.
• ABG experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply age specific principles of growth and development and life stages to meet each patient's needs.

License/Certification:

• Current Registered Nurse licensure in the state in which nurse will be practicing at date of hire.
• Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required at date of hire.
• Current ACLS and PALS required at date of hire or be renewed at next available class locally.
• Telemetry experience.
• Current TNCC and ENPC or renew when next available course locally.
• CEN preferred.
• ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC would not be expected for a new grad RN hiring on.
• See community specific document for each Unit/Department required credentials

Other Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to promote positive interpersonal relationships and patient/family centered work environment
• Able to support and interpret medical center philosophy, policy and procedures
• Basic computer skills

Working Conditions

Lifting

• Patient handling no greater than 35 lbs. without the use of assistive equipment and/or devices (NIOSH).

• Fine motor skills to be able to grasp and control medical equipment and perform precise procedures.

• Push/Pull: Frequently up to 45 lbs. force (i.e., WOW, medical carts).

• Perform hands on CPR at least 20 mins using 100-125 lbs. of force (National Assoc. of EMS Physicians and AHA) Frequency should be seldom or occasionally.

• Ability to move around area with frequent sitting.

• Bending/ stooping/ squatting/ reaching/ kneeling frequently.

• Lifting (non-patient) up to 20 lbs. occasionally and 5 lbs. frequently.

Environmental Conditions

• Exposure to biohazard, body fluids and airborne particles.

• Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy environment.

Mental/Visual

• Vision and hearing required within normal limits (glasses, contacts, hearing aids permitted).

• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information.

See how PeaceHealth is committed to Inclusivity, Respect for Diversity and Cultural Humility.

PeaceHealth has exceptional benefits.

EEO Affirmative Action Employer/Vets/Disabled in accordance with applicable local, state or federal laws.