Psychiatric Resource Nurse - Mercy San Diego

Scripps Mercy Hospital has served central and downtown San Diego since 1890 and is the oldest medical center in the county. The San Diego campus is located near the corner of 5th Avenue and Washington Street in Hillcrest.

Scripps Mercy Hospital consists of two campuses in San Diego and Chula Vista.

Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego’s campus includes the O’Toole Breast Care Center, a 24-hour emergency room that is a Level I Trauma Center, outpatient physical rehabilitation, minimally invasive robotic surgery and our childbirth unit (including a Level II neonatal intensive care unit).

This is a full-time position (72 hours per pay period) with 12-hour shifts, primarily scheduled 9am to 9pm. The schedule includes various days, with rotating weekend and holiday coverage.

This position is located at Scripps Mercy San Diego Hospital.

Why Scripps?

At Scripps Health, your ambition is empowered, and your abilities are appreciated:

• Nearly a quarter of our employees have been with Scripps Health for over 10 years.
• Scripps is a Great Place to Work Certified company for 2026.
• Scripps Health has been consistently ranked as a top employer for women, millennials, diversity, and as an overall workplace by various national publications.
• Beckers Healthcare ranked Scripps Health on its 2026 list of 150 top places to work in health care.
• We have transitional and professional development programs to create a learning environment that enables you to thrive in your specific field as well as in your overall career.
• Our specialties have been nationally recognized for quality in areas such as cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and gastroenterology.

Join a highly collaborative team dedicated to supporting patients with acute mental health needs across the hospital as a Psychiatric Resource Nurse (PRN).

The Psychiatric Resource Nurse (PRN) supports the nursing staff through regular rounding on patients with behavioral health issues in the in-patient care units outside the Behavioral Health Unit. In addition, you will be responsible for:

• Guides and assists the nursing staff in the application of the Standard of Practice in the care of patients with mental health issues and behavioral problems.
• Is competent in therapeutic communication.
• Understands and educates on the LPS (Lanterman, Petris, Short) Act involuntary legal hold process including involuntary psychotropic medication administration.
• Conduct routine rounds on patients with psychiatric diagnoses or legal holds, ensure safety precautions and documentation are maintained, and monitor compliance with behavioral care plans.
• Respond to behavioral emergencies, lead Code BURT responses, support nursing staff with therapeutic communication, and develop interventions to reduce agitation and behavioral disturbances.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, behavioral health providers, psychiatric liaison teams, and case management/social work to coordinate individualized care plans, medication management, legal hearings, and substance use treatment.
• Coordinate care conferences, review documentation and psychotropic medications, monitor treatment plan effectiveness, and address barriers to discharge or transfer to an appropriate level of care.

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Required Experience/Specialized Skills

• 1 year experience as a registered nurse.
• Must be able to speak, read and follow instructions in English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate positive behaviors.

Required Certification/Registration

• Current CA RN License.
• Current BLS-C provider from American Heart Association.

Required Education/Course(s)/Training

• Registered nursing degree from an accredited school of nursing.

Preferred Experience/Education/Specialized skills

• Bachelor's degree in nursing preferred.
• Previous experience providing peer education on psychiatric laws, regulations, and clinical interventions.
• Experience with EPIC system preferred.
• At least 2 years’ experience working bedside in a Med/Surg level of care hospital.
• Prior experience working in an acute psychiatric hospital or psych facility preferred.

At Scripps Health, you will experience the pride, support and respect of an organization that has been repeatedly recognized as one of the nation’s Top 100 Places to Work.

You’ll be surrounded by people committed to making a difference in the lives of their patients and their teammates. So if you’re open to change, go ahead and unlock your potential.

Position Pay Range: $59.16-$85.68/hour