Registered Nurse (RN, Psych, Acute) - Emergency Department

Location Detail: Backus Hospital (10309)

Shift Detail: 7:00 PM - 7:30 AM Rotating weekends and holidays

Work where every moment matters. 

Every day, over 40,000 Hartford HealthCare colleagues come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut's most comprehensive healthcare network as a Registered Nurse.

Step into a role where compassion meets crisis, where your presence brings stability, and where your clinical expertise transforms someone's most vulnerable moment into a turning point. As a Behavioral Health Emergency Room Nurse, you are a frontline advocate, healer, and stabilizer for patients in acute psychological distress.

This is fast-paced, unpredictable, deeply meaningful work—and it's where you shine.

• Provide rapid, trauma-informed assessment for patients experiencing psychiatric emergencies, including acute psychosis, suicidal or homicidal ideation, severe anxiety, substance intoxication, withdrawal, and behavioral crises.

• Use expert de-escalation techniques to diffuse volatile situations and maintain a safe environment for patients, staff, and families.

• Develop and implement immediate crisis-stabilization plans, collaborating with psychiatrists, social workers, and emergency staff.

• Administer psychiatric medications, facilitate emergency interventions, and provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

• Conduct suicide risk assessments, safety planning, and continuous monitoring for high-risk patients.

• Support families and caregivers with clear guidance, empathy, and education during emotionally charged events.

• Document thoroughly and quickly, capturing behavioral observations and interventions while navigating a dynamic ER environment.

For more than 118 years, Backus Hospital has been the primary source of healthcare services for much of Eastern Connecticut. We deliver and coordinate a continuum of high-quality healthcare with the goal of improving the health of our communities.

Why This Role Matters

Behavioral health emergencies require a rare blend of clinical skill, emotional strength, and compassionate presence. In this role, you help stabilize crises, protect lives, restore dignity, and guide patients toward safety and hope. Your work doesn't just change lives—it can save them.

Qualifications

Who You Are:

• Resilient, emotionally intelligent nurse who thrives in complex, unpredictable situations.

• Natural de-escalator with exceptional communication and crisis-management skills.

• Compassionate professional who understands the importance of dignity, respect, and trauma-informed care.

• Someone who brings calm, clarity, and confidence to behavioral emergencies.

• A team player who builds trust across interdisciplinary teams.

• Graduate of an accredited nursing school (BSN or MSN preferred)

• Current Connecticut RN license

• BLS certification by the American Heart Association

• Ability to obtain and maintain CPI certification within 90 days of hire. 

What our nurses love about Backus Hospital: 

• Automatic enrollment into the Nurse Residency Program for all graduate RNs with less than one year of experience. 

• Loan forgiveness for qualifying existing student loans 

• Employee assistance and wellness programs including a strong focus on promoting mental health 

• Paid time off and health insurance packages

• Discounts on services, products and optional coverages – movie tickets, pet insurance, travel and more! 

Backus Hospital is part of Hartford HealthCare, a system that includes 7 acute care hospitals, a comprehensive Behavioral Health Network, Home Care services, Senior Services, and an extensive Medical Group network. Hartford HealthCare's unified culture enhances access, affordability, equity and excellence. Its care-delivery system of more than 40,000 colleagues — in more than 500 locations serving 185 towns across Connecticut offers unparalleled expertise - touching more than 23,000 lives every single day. Here you'll learn, grow, and contribute to healing and health as part of one of Connecticut's premier health systems. No matter where you work in the Hartford HealthCare system, you're connected to the team that's redefining care.

Start here, where every moment matters.