Med-Surg Telemetry Charge Nurse
Bakersfield, CA
Olaro
3x12 hrs, Nights

Travel Nurse Opportunity: 4W NSM - Bakersfield, California

Position Overview

This role combines charge nurse, clinical mentor, and manager responsibilities. The clinician provides on-shift leadership to ensure safe, high-quality, and compassionate patient care while supporting staff and fostering a positive work environment. Responsibilities include rounding on patients, addressing service or safety concerns, serving as a resource for clinical and interpersonal issues, and taking charge nurse assignments as needed based on census and staffing.

Unit Details

• Unit: All Medsurg Telemetry Units
• Number of beds: 27
• Patient types: General medical-surgical, gynecology, appendectomy, cholecystectomy, some spine and joint cases
• Oncology: 7 rooms are private oncology suites; patients may have a history of cancer but are not necessarily on active chemotherapy
• No acute strokes or acute cardiac cases
• No drips
• Pediatric patients over age 15 accepted

Staffing & Ratios

• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:5 for med-surg patients, 1:4 for chemo/telemetry patients
• Nurse aides: Target of 2 per shift
• Floating: Other med-surg units as needed
• Weekend requirement: One weekend shift every two weeks
• Holidays: 2 major holidays and 1 minor holiday required
• Shifts: 7 AM and 7 PM
• Call: If placed on standby, must report within 30 minutes

Orientation & Training

• 3 weeks total orientation:

  • 1 week classroom
  • 2 weeks unit orientation
• Floor-specific orientation includes one Cerner shift if needed and 2 shifts on units

Certifications & Skills Required

• BLS (AHA)
• ACLS
• NIHSS (AHA or APEX)
• Must have charge nurse experience from last assignment
• Strong central line experience required
• Compassionate care and a passion for teaching and spending time with patients

Work Environment & Resources

• EMR system: Cerner
• Telemetry monitoring: Remote telemetry with monitor techs
• Ventilators: None on unit
• Hospitalist coverage: In-house 24/7
• Respiratory therapy: Available 24/7
• Pharmacy: Available 24/7
• IV team: No dedicated IV team, but resource nurse available; PICC and midline team present
• Scrub color: Navy

Additional Notes

• No first-time travelers accepted
• Nights, every other weekend schedule
• First to float on the unit