Job info

Registered Nurse (ER) - Travel Assignment in Texas

Job Overview

Specialty: Emergency Room (ER)
Location: Bryan, Texas (floats between Bryan and College Station campuses, 16 minutes apart)
Assignment Length: 12 weeks
Shift: Days
Hours: 12-hour shifts, approximately 36 hours per week
Unit: ER/ED, Level III Trauma Center, Primary Stroke Center with comprehensive capabilities
Bed Capacity: 30 beds (24 acute), 2 trauma bays
Patient Volume: Approximately 135 patients per day
Typical Patient Types: Trauma (ground level falls, MVAs, assaults including gunshot and stabbings), chest pain, fever, pediatric URI symptoms (10-15% pediatric patients), geriatric altered mental status, intubated patients, rapid transfusions, chest tubes, STEMI, strokes

Required Qualifications

Experience: Minimum 2 years ER nursing experience in a facility with similar patient volume, trauma level, and size
Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, NIHSS
Exams: Must pass Advanced Dysrhythmia exam with a minimum score of 83% (up to 3 attempts allowed before contract signing)
Skills: Comfortable managing central lines, massive transfusion protocols (MTP), chest tubes, trauma care, STEMI, stroke care
Licensure: Valid RN license for Texas

Work Environment & Responsibilities

Nurse-to-Patient Ratios:
- General acute care: 1:3-4
- Level I trauma: 1:1 or 2:1 depending on acuity
- Thrombolytic (TNK) patients: 1:1 for first hour
- Vertical care (fast track): 1:6-8
ER Setup: Separate triage area with a "first eyes nurse" who registers and triages patients; travelers may be assigned to triage after skills assessment
Floating: May float between campuses and assist as needed without a dedicated assignment
Call/Standby: None required
Weekend/Holiday: Work every other weekend; rotate for one major holiday with core staff
Dress Code: Navy scrubs and undershirts; scrub jackets optional but must be navy

Team & Support Staff

Physicians: 1 MD 24/7, 2nd MD from 9 AM to 2 AM
Midlevels: NP or PA 24/7, additional midlevel 10 AM to 10 PM
Charge Nurse: Free-floating, may take patient assignments and responds to codes/rapid responses
Patient Care Techs: Perform EKGs, wound care, transport, ADLs, trauma setup (chest tubes, lines), and act as sitters/mental health advocates
Respiratory Therapists: 24/7 in ER, perform ABGs, breathing treatments, and EKGs; RNs troubleshoot respiratory equipment
Phlebotomy: Available 24/7 in ER
Monitor Techs: Not present; RNs monitor their own telemetry strips

Equipment & EMR

Monitors: RNs read their own telemetry strips
Imaging: X-Ray and CT available in ER with dedicated transporters
EMR Systems: PulseCheck or Picis
Common Drips: Diltiazem, Cardene, Nitro, Propofol, Fentanyl, Levophed

Additional Information

Culture: Positive team environment with active Shared Governance and Unit-Based Council involvement
Orientation: 3 shifts in ER required
Call Outs: Strongly discouraged and may lead to termination
Employment Restrictions: Candidates must not have been employed (full-time, part-time, or PRN) by any related health system facility within the past year; PRN employment through outside firms is acceptable

This position is ideal for ER nurses with solid trauma and critical care experience seeking a 12-week travel assignment in a busy Level III trauma and stroke center environment.