Medical-Surgical RN, Neurosurgery & Trauma
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette General Medical Center

Travel Registered Nurse - Medical Surgical

Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Assignment may include being part of an "Emergency Team" during events, requiring extended stay or relief duties as assigned by unit manager.
• Patient population includes multi-trauma, seizure, gunshot wounds, falls, traumatic brain injury, stroke, sepsis, psychiatric cases, epidural hematomas/hemorrhage, cerebral edema, and orthopedic trauma (non-elective).
• Neuro Surgery experience is required.
• Unit is a Major Trauma unit.
• Procedures encountered: craniotomy, spinal fusions, ORIF, muscle flaps, skin grafts, amputations (AKA, BKA), IM nails, external fixators, spinal stimulators.
• Float requirement: may be assigned to other inpatient units as needed.
• Scheduling is flexible with no guaranteed block scheduling.
• Equipment used includes traction devices, external fixators, trapeze, PCA pumps, JP drains, wound vacs, chest tubes, orthopedic braces, hemo vacs, central lines, tracheostomies, PEG tubes, NG tubes.

Required Certifications and Skills

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Blood product administration
• PICC line management
• IV starts
• Care for pre/post neurosurgery patients
• Management of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Orthopedic trauma care
• Surgical drains and chest tubes
• Isolation precautions

Preferred Certifications:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIH)

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Louisiana.
• Minimum of 1 year Med Surg experience, with Med Surg experience within the last year.
• Neurosurgery experience.
• Orthopedic trauma experience.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• PICC line management skills.
• Experience with chest tubes.

Additional Information

• Candidates must be comfortable with emergency event assignments and potential extended shifts.
• Float to other inpatient units may be required.
• Scheduling flexibility is necessary; no guaranteed specific scheduling requests.
• Photo for badge must be a recent, full-color, passport-style photo without filters or obstructions.
• Fit mask testing (N95) required within one year of start; onsite fit testing available if needed.
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification required unless working in ICU.

Experience Requirements

• Specialty: Registered Nurse with Neuro Surgery experience (years of experience not explicitly stated; Neuro Surgery experience is mandatory).
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required.

This position is suited for experienced Registered Nurses with strong neuro and trauma surgical skills who are flexible and able to respond to emergency situations.