RN - Trauma & General Surgery Stepdown
Morgantown, West Virginia
Ruby Memorial Hospital

Registered Nurse (RN) – Trauma & General Surgery Inpatient

Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Overview

• 7 East - Trauma & General Surgery Inpatient Unit (Stepdown & Floor)
• Nationally recognized Comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center
• 30-33 beds total (12-15 Floor, 18 Stepdown)
• Nurse-to-patient ratios:

  • Floor: 1:6
  • Stepdown: 1:3

Patient Population & Common Diagnoses

• Multi-trauma, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), fractures
• General surgery cases (cholecystectomy, ostomies, etc.)
• Bariatric surgery patients
• Complex wound care, drains, devices
• Chest tubes, respiratory support
• Complex spinal cord injuries
• Other medical and surgical conditions

Required Experience & Skills

• Experience with complex wound care, drains, devices
• Management of traumatic injuries including chest tubes and respiratory support
• Care for TBI and complex spinal cord injury patients
• Ability to read and validate cardiac monitor strips
• Familiarity with titratable drips:

  • Floor: Heparin, PCA’s
  • Stepdown: Insulin, Cardizem (non-pressors)

Certifications & Licensure

• BLS Certification required

Work Schedule & Staffing

• Shifts: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM and 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend or 2 weekends per 4-week schedule
• Holiday work as needed per permanent staff schedule
• Floating required to similar units (floor/stepdown)
• Charge nurse coverage 24/7; house supervisor available
• Clinical associates (nurse aides) support with a ratio of about 4 when fully staffed
• Respiratory therapy available 24/7 (stable/chronic vents only)
• Monitor techs present; RNs must validate monitor strips

Additional Notes

• Fast-paced, high-impact unit with challenging patient care
• Nurses practice at the top of their scope and abilities
• Collaborative work with care management, surgical, medical, rehabilitation, and perioperative services
• Exposure to both floor and stepdown level care, offering breadth and depth of nursing experience
• Dress code: Royal Blue scrubs

Requirements & Policies

• Must have a valid driver’s license with an address outside 50 miles from the facility
• COVID-19 vaccine required (2 doses Moderna/Pfizer or 1 dose J&J) or approved medical/religious exemption
• Submission policies limit candidates per opening and require submission of an unexpired driver’s license

Summary

This is a 13-week contract RN position on a trauma and general surgery inpatient unit with a nationally recognized bariatric surgery program. The role requires strong critical thinking, experience with complex trauma and surgical patients, and the ability to manage both floor and stepdown level care. The unit offers a dynamic environment with a variety of patient conditions and collaborative interdisciplinary teamwork.