Med-Surg Registered Nurse
Freeport, Illinois
Mercyhealth FHN Hospital

Registered Nurse (Med-Surg)

Location: Freeport, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Hours per Day: 12
Hours per Week: 36

Unit and Patient Information

• Med-Surg department covering three units (3 East - 24 beds, 3 North - 17 beds, 2 North - 15 beds) with staff working interchangeably.
• Nurse-to-patient ratios:

  • Days: 1:4-5
  • Nights: 1:5-6
• Common patient diagnoses include:

  • Post-operative (General, Orthopedic, Podiatry)
  • General medical conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus, Peripheral Neuropathy, Congestive Heart Failure, COPD
  • Cellulitis, Continuous Bladder Irrigation (CBI), Bipap, Peritoneal dialysis (training provided), surgical drains, wound vacs
• Patients may be on telemetry; monitoring is done centrally by monitor techs. RNs do not interpret telemetry but validate alerts.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Illinois
• Minimum 1 year of Med-Surg experience within the last year
• BLS certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Orientation and Training

• Department-specific orientation includes:

  • Two 12-hour shifts: first shift includes HR, educator, housewide orientation, and preceptor introduction; second shift is a full 12-hour precepted shift
  • Third shift is worked independently

Work Environment and Expectations

• 12-hour shifts, scheduled based on unit needs by management
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend
• Holiday rotation required
• No call or standby requirement for agency staff
• Floating required to ICU or Telemetry units for Med-Surg overflow patients within RN scope
• Charge nurse has patient assignments; house supervisors do not
• Nurse aides assist with patient care, phone/call light response, and 12-lead EKG if experienced; they do not remove IVs or Foley catheters
• Respiratory therapy manages BiPAP, High Flow, Vapotherm equipment

Additional Information

• Scrub color: any professional color allowed
• Disclosure required if previously employed at any related facility for background check purposes