RN - MS

Registered Nurse

Job Title: Registered Nurse

Profession: RN

Specialty: Medical Surgical

Duration: 13 weeks

Shift: 12-Hour Days

Hours per Shift: 12

Experience: 1 year

License: RN License

Certifications: BLS

Must-Have: 1 year of nursing experience; will accept first-time travelers

Description: Unit has 48 beds. Nurse-to-patient ratios are 1:5-7 on days and 1:6-8 on nights. Required certifications include BLS and an active RN license. Candidates can take a PCT class to become a PCT or can have CNA certification. Common diagnoses include pneumonia, UTI, altered mental status, GI bleed, alcohol withdrawal, and falls/weakness. RNs are required to titrate drips, except for cardiac drip titration. Common titratable and/or set rate drips include heparin, bumex, and lasix. There are charge nurses on each shift, and they will take patient assignments. On day shifts, there are two charge nurses. If only one charge nurse is scheduled at night, they do not take an assignment. There are nurse aides/patient care techs on this unit with a ratio averaging 1:10-12, which may be higher. Job duties include taking vitals, blood glucose monitoring, EKGs, applying heart monitors, personal care, and patient mobility. Respiratory Therapy administers breathing treatments, inhalers, ABGs, and manages respiratory equipment. RNs typically only need to monitor respiratory equipment. A monitor tech is available to read and monitor telemetry of all patients and will communicate any issues. Nurses are not expected to read and interpret telemetry strips. Shifts for RNs are from 7 AM to 7 PM, and CNAs are from 6 AM to 6 PM. There is no self-scheduling or block scheduling. Schedules are made by the manager while accommodating time-off requests. Travelers are expected to be flexible and help fill gaps in the permanent schedule. Typically, schedules will alternate between days/nights so that nurses do not work both in the same week. Every other weekend is required. Nurses may be asked to participate in holiday rotations. There is no call or standby requirement. Floating may occur to other medical surgical units or intermediate care for lower acuity patients. Scrub colors are navy blue for RNs and ceil blue for PCTs. The job includes one day of unit/department specific orientation with a preceptor.