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: 12-hour shifts, 36 hours per week
Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
Holiday Requirement: Holiday rotation

Unit & Patient Information

• Med-Surg unit with 3 interconnected subunits (3 East - 24 beds, 3 North - 17 beds, 2 North - 15 beds)
• 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 by tele/monitor techs, RNs do not interpret telemetry

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Illinois
• Minimum 2 years of Med-Surg nursing experience, with at least some experience within the last year
• BLS certification required
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Orientation & Training

• Department-specific orientation: 2 shifts (two 12-hour shifts)

  • First shift includes HR, educator, housewide orientation, and preceptor introduction
  • Second shift is a full 12-hour shift with preceptor
  • Third shift works independently

Additional Information

• Nurse aids are available with assignments based on acuity; some are cross-trained in phlebotomy and 12-lead EKG (bonus if tele tech experience)
• Respiratory therapy manages BiPAP, High Flow, Vapotherm equipment
• Floating required to ICU or Telemetry units for Med-Surg overflow patients within RN scope
• No call or standby requirement for agency nurses
• Scrub color: Any professional color allowed

Notes

• Disclosure of any previous employment at this health system is required during submission for background check purposes