Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center

Travel/Contract Registered Nurse (Med Surg RN)

Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Medical Surgical Registered Nurse to provide care in a community-based hospital with Level III Trauma Center and Level I Teaching facility designation. The unit cares for typical medical surgical patients with a variety of diagnoses including CHF exacerbation, pneumonia, cellulitis, alcohol withdrawal, fractures with surgical intervention, sepsis, CVA, cardiac events, and post-surgical care such as total joint replacements and gastric procedures.

Required Experience

• Minimum 2 years of Med Surg nursing experience (higher value confirmed)
• First-time travel nurses accepted
• Prior travel experience not required

Work Details

• Patient ratio approximately 1:6
• Weekend shifts may be required depending on census and staff availability
• No on-call requirement
• Floating within scope to meet facility needs is expected
• No block scheduling accommodations
• No local candidates accepted within a 75-mile radius
• Pending New Mexico nursing license accepted at time of submission

Required Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• NIH Stroke Certification preferred

Special Skills and Clinical Requirements

• Med/Surg nursing skills including:

  • Colostomy care
  • Feeding tube care and management
  • Blood product administration
  • Central line blood draws
  • Peripheral line care/management
  • Phlebotomy
  • PICC line management
  • Starting IVs
  • Heparin administration
  • Care for CVA, orthopedic trauma, total joint replacements, surgical drains
  • Respiratory support including CPAP/BiPAP, nasal cannula, non-invasive airway management, oral suctioning, oxygen face masks, portable oxygen tanks, tracheostomy management
  • Isolation precautions

Patient Population / Unit Info

• Medical surgical patients with diagnoses such as:

  • CHF exacerbation
  • Pneumonia
  • Cellulitis
  • Alcohol withdrawal
  • Fractures with surgical intervention
  • Small bowel obstruction
  • Pancreatitis
  • Infectious diseases with consults
  • Sepsis
  • CVA and cardiac events
  • Hemodialysis issues
  • Altered mental status
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Post-TURP, panniculectomy, total joint replacements, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve procedures
• No titrating drips except Heparin
• Use of wound vacs and kangaroo pumps

Facility Highlights

• Community-based hospital
• Level III Trauma Center
• Level I Teaching facility
• 65 inpatient beds, 12 ICU beds
• Electronic charting via Cerner
• Free parking

Additional Requirements

• COVID-19 vaccination required; religious and medical exemptions accepted with proper documentation
• Background checks including 7-year criminal check, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG, and fingerprinting required
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year
• Annual TB questionnaire required
• Tdap vaccine required (declinations accepted)
• Drug screening (10 panel, excluding THC) within 30 days of start
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required annually
• Fit mask testing required within 1 year of start
• Various facility-specific orientation and competency documents required

Overtime Rules

• Overtime applies after 48 hours worked on all contracts signed on or after 10/30/2025

This position is ideal for Med Surg RNs with at least 2 years of experience looking for a travel contract in a community hospital setting with diverse patient care opportunities.