Surgical Nursing Orthopedic Staff RN

Job Title: Surgical Nursing Orthopedic Staff RN

Duration: Contract (Travel Assignment)

Experience: 2+ Years Required (5+ Years Preferred)

Travel Experience: Required

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) to provide high-quality patient care in a fast-paced acute care environment. The RN will utilize the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized patient care while collaborating with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care for adult, young adult, and elderly patients.
• Perform initial and ongoing patient assessments, documenting changes in condition and response to treatment.
• Deliver pre-operative and post-operative care for general, bariatric, orthopedic, trauma, neurosurgical, and genitourinary patients.
• Administer medications, IV therapy, blood products, and specialized IV drips with titration as appropriate.
• Access and maintain central lines, chest tubes, PEG/G-tubes/J-tubes, drains (Jackson Pratt, Hemovac, Percutaneous, Sump), and traction devices.
• Perform pain management, transfusion therapy, waived testing, and NIH Stroke Scale assessments.
• Monitor hemodynamic status and physiologic functioning while providing age-specific patient care.
• Maintain accurate and timely electronic nursing documentation.
• Educate patients and families regarding treatment plans, medications, discharge instructions, and ongoing care.
• Collaborate with physicians and multidisciplinary teams to develop and update individualized care plans.
• Assist physicians during bedside procedures.
• Supervise, delegate, and monitor patient care activities performed by support staff.
• Serve as a preceptor for newly hired nursing staff and promote professional development.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and departmental performance activities.
• Ensure proper operation of patient care equipment and maintain adequate supply inventory.
• Adhere to infection prevention, safety protocols, regulatory standards, and hospital policies.
• Assist with patient transport and unit support duties as needed.
• Serve as a team leader and role model while maintaining professional standards.

Required Skills

• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Comprehensive Patient Assessment
• Pre- and Post-Operative Care
• Pain Management
• Chest Tube Management
• PEG/G-Tube/J-Tube Care
• Central Line Access and Maintenance
• IV Therapy and IV Drip Titration
• Medication Administration
• Blood Transfusion Therapy
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• Hemodynamic Monitoring
• Wound and Drain Care (JP, Hemovac, Percutaneous, Sump)
• Electronic Medical Documentation
• Patient & Family Education
• Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment
• Team Leadership and Precepting
• Infection Prevention and Patient Safety
• Time Management and Multitasking
• Effective Communication and Collaboration

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification.
• Current ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) certification.
• Current NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.
• EKG competency required.
• Minimum of 2 years of acute care nursing experience (5 years preferred).
• Previous  travel nursing experience required .

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong Medical-Surgical nursing background.
• Experience caring for trauma, orthopedic, bariatric, neurosurgical, and post-surgical patients.
• Experience with complex IV therapies, central lines, and advanced patient monitoring.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced hospital environment while collaborating effectively with interdisciplinary teams.