Registered Nurse (RN), Days, Med Surg Neuro/Stroke

Clinical Nurse II, RN | Medsurg / Neuro-Stroke | Days

Howard University Hospital | Washington, DC 

About the Role

The Clinical Nurse II (CN II) is a Registered Nurse reporting directly to the Nurse Manager and embedded on Howard University Hospital’s 5 West Medsurg / Neuro-Stroke Unit. Through collaboration with the interdisciplinary team — including neurology, hospitalist medicine, physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and case management — you will deliver safe, effective, patient-centered care to a diverse adult patient population including patients with acute and recovering stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), TIA, seizure disorders, post-neurosurgical recovery, other neurological conditions, and medical-surgical comorbidities.

Whether you arrive with a neuroscience or stroke background or strong medical-surgical experience, you’ll find a supportive practice environment with structured orientation, ongoing education, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification support, and clear pathways to build neuroscience-specialty expertise. You will exemplify HUH’s values, adhere to ANA standards of practice, and serve as a clinical resource and role model for newer nurses and orientees on the unit.

What You’ll Do

• Assess, plan, intervene, and evaluate patient care at the bedside; identify patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with patients, families, and friends; provide a compassionate environment through emotional, psychological, and spiritual support
• Perform serial neurological assessments — including level of consciousness, pupillary response, motor and sensory function, cranial nerve assessment, and speech evaluation — at intervals defined by patient acuity and unit protocols; apply the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission, at scheduled intervals, and with any change in neurological status
• Provide post-thrombolytic (tPA/alteplase) care including frequent neurological checks, blood pressure monitoring within prescribed parameters, recognition of hemorrhagic conversion, and adherence to bleeding precautions
• Perform dysphagia screening and implement aspiration precautions for stroke and neurological patients; coordinate with speech-language pathology for swallow evaluation and diet recommendations
• Administer neurological and medical-surgical medications safely per protocol — including anticoagulants, antiplatelets, antihypertensives, antiepileptics, statins, and DVT prophylaxis — and recognize and respond to adverse effects
• Implement seizure precautions for at-risk patients; recognize seizure activity, ensure patient safety during seizure events, and provide appropriate post-ictal care
• Administer medications and IV therapies safely and accurately across oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, IV push, and infusion routes
• Manage IV access including peripheral lines, midlines, and central venous catheters; perform sterile dressing changes, blood draws, and infusion administration per policy
• Recognize early signs of clinical deterioration; activate Rapid Response and Code Blue teams as indicated and support resuscitation with BLS interventions pending team arrival
• Provide comprehensive patient and family education on stroke recognition (FAST signs), secondary prevention, medication adherence, lifestyle modification, and follow-up care
• Coordinate care with case management, pharmacy, nutrition, physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, neurology, and social work to support safe discharge transitions and continuity of care
• Document patient care and outcomes accurately in the electronic health record; maintain continuity among nursing teams by communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing care needs through SBAR and structured handoff
• Delegate tasks appropriately to non-licensed personnel and assistants while retaining accountability for patient outcomes
• Adhere to infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations
• Serve in the role of charge nurse with approval by the Nurse Manager; serve as a clinical resource and role model for newer nurses, orientees, and student nurses on the unit
• Participate in unit performance improvement programs targeting overtime reduction, patient safety, and HCAHPS outcomes; engage in education, engagement, and practice committees
• Ensure operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, following manufacturer’s instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, calling for repairs, maintaining inventories, and evaluating new equipment and techniques
• Promote adherence to the Health Sciences Compliance Program, the Howard University Code of Ethics, the Health Sciences Standards of Conduct, and HIPAA Privacy policies; attend mandatory compliance and HIPAA training; maintain strict confidentiality of patients, families, and staff
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge through educational workshops, professional publications, professional networks, and professional societies
• Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the scope of this role

Required Qualifications

• Nursing degree from an accredited school of nursing required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
• Two (2) or more years of clinical nursing experience upon hire, OR completion of HUH’s Professional Nurses Clinical Advancement Program (PNCAP) and eighteen (18) months of employment at HUH
• Current, active RN license in the District of Columbia
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) required
• Current National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification required within ninety (90) days of hire
• Knowledge of professional nursing theory and practice to evaluate patient care; knowledge of medical equipment and instruments to administer patient care
• Demonstrated competency in neurological assessment
• Able to work in a stressful environment with multiple demands; resolve conflicts effectively, prioritize tasks, respond to emergencies, and react calmly
• Awareness of common safety hazards and precautions; able to respond to alarms, codes, telephones, and overhead pages
• Able to read charts, labels, documentation, policies, and procedures; able to communicate with staff, visitors, patients, and physicians in clear and concise English

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Prior bedside experience in a neuroscience, stroke, medical-surgical, or progressive care setting
• National specialty certification — Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN), Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN), or Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
• Experience caring for stroke, neurosurgical, or seizure patient populations
• Experience with Soarian Clinicals or a comparable electronic health record

Position Details

Department

5 West — Medsurg / Neuro-Stroke Unit

Reports To

Nurse Manager, 5 West

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

DC Nurses Association (DCNA)

Schedule

Full-Time | Day Shift | 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM | Three (3) 12-hour shifts per week (36 hours)

Weekend/Holiday Requirement

Every other weekend and every other holiday required

Pay & Schedule

This is a full-time, non-exempt position covered under the DC Nurses Association (DCNA) collective bargaining agreement. Pay range: $37.33 – $62.43/hr , commensurate with experience and qualifications. Effective July 1, 2026, the DCNA pay range for this position will be $37.89 – $63.36/hr per the updated collective bargaining agreement.

About Howard University Hospital

Howard University Hospital (HUH) is the nation’s only teaching hospital located on the campus of a historically Black university. With a legacy dating back to 1862 — when it operated as Freedmen’s Hospital, providing care and refuge to those who had been denied it elsewhere — HUH has grown into one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and is a designated DC Level 1 Trauma Center. Today, HUH continues its proud tradition of delivering exemplary, patient-centered, and culturally responsive care to the community, while providing exceptional learning and professional development opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

What We Offer

• Work-life balance
• Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
• Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans including health, disability, vacation, sick leave, and 403(b) retirement plan
• Tuition remission at Howard University for you and/or eligible dependent children — up to two (2) courses per semester
• A mission-driven environment rooted in over 150 years of excellence, service, and advocacy for the communities we serve

Compliance Statements

Culture of Care: Howard University Hospital supports a Just Culture that promotes accountability, learning, and patient safety.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Howard University Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation: Howard University Hospital is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Department at View email address on us.fitly.work .

Pay Transparency: Salary ranges listed in job postings reflect the expected compensation range for the position and are provided in accordance with applicable pay transparency laws. Final compensation is determined based on experience, education, internal equity, and other relevant factors.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.