Travel Nurse RN - Med Surg / Telemetry
Gardner, MA
First Connect Health
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Med-Surg RN (Watkins 1) – Gardner, MA

Contract Duration: 13 Weeks 

Shift: Nights | 11:00 PM – 7:30 AM (36 Hours Per Week)

Schedule: Monday – Sunday rotation; includes every other weekend and holiday.

Job Summary

Heywood Hospital is seeking a dedicated Med-Surg RN for the Watkins 1 unit. This role is designed for a nurse who excels in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment and is comfortable managing a diverse patient load. You will be responsible for the full continuum of care, from admission assessment and medication reconciliation to telemetry monitoring and discharge planning. This unit places a high priority on patient dignity, safety, and proactive pain management.

Key Responsibilities

• Clinical Assessment: Perform ongoing assessments, identifying normal and deviant progress patterns in adult medical and surgical patients.
• Telemetry & Cardiac Care: Interpret and document cardiac rate, rhythm, and configurations (PR/ST segments). You must be prepared to evaluate chest pain and initiate emergency cardiac protocols.
• Surgical Support: Manage post-operative care, including the setup and troubleshooting of chest tubes, surgical drains, and feeding pumps.
• Orthopedic Management: Set up and maintain specialized orthopedic equipment and traction devices as needed.
• Pain Management: Utilize numerical pain scales and various pain management devices to reassess effectiveness and adjust care plans in coordination with physicians.
• Life-Saving Interventions: Institute appropriate measures in life-threatening situations, maintaining readiness for emergency interventions.
• Documentation: Provide thorough and timely documentation using Meditech EMR.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of less than 1 year of experience required; however, 1 year of Med-Surg and previous Telemetry experience is strongly preferred.
• Licensure: Active Massachusetts (MA) RN License is required at the time of submission.
• Certifications:
  • BLS (AHA) required.
  • ACLS (AHA) preferred upon hire (must obtain within 60 days of hire).
  • MOAB (Management of Aggressive Behavior) class must be completed within 60 days of hire.
• Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Unit & Facility Details

• Facility: Heywood Hospital (Part of Heywood Healthcare Family).
• Address: 242 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440.
• Bed Size: 50–149 beds (Community Hospital setting).
• EMR: Meditech.

Clinical Spotlight: Post-Surgical Complication Monitoring

On a Med-Surg unit like Watkins 1, the RN is the first line of defense against post-operative complications. Monitoring for signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a constant priority. You will be expected to evaluate surgical site integrity, monitor for signs of sepsis, and ensure that post-op mobility protocols are followed to prevent respiratory or circulatory issues.

Financial & Logistics Notes

• Start Date: This is listed as an immediate start (April 23, 2026).
• Shift Note: This is an 8-hour night shift (23:00 - 07:30). Please ensure your schedule can accommodate the every-other-weekend requirement.
• Location: Gardner, known as "Chair City," is located in North Central Massachusetts, offering a quiet, community-oriented atmosphere with easy access to outdoor recreation in the nearby Monadnock region.