Medical-Surgical Telemetry Registered Nurse
Wilmington, North Carolina
New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Registered Nurse - MS/Tele (Travel/Contract)

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (4 shifts of 12 hours, 18:45 - 7:15)
Hours per Week: 48

Job Summary

• Position in the ED Holding unit within the Emergency Department float pool.
• Patients are adults with medical/surgical diagnoses awaiting inpatient beds; may include PCU level patients.
• Responsibilities include caring for MS/Telemetry patients and floating to ED and MedSurg areas as needed.
• Target nurse-to-patient ratios: 1:6 for MS/Tele or 1:4 for PCU level patients.
• Every other weekend required.
• Maximum Return to Office (RTO) allowed is 7 days; no RTO after booking or onsite workarounds permitted.
• Contract staff may be assigned to Storm or Hurricane Teams and required to work during catastrophic events or disasters.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in North Carolina
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum 2 years of Med Surg / Telemetry experience, with experience within the last year
• BLS issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• ACLS certification
• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Use of Rapid Response Teams
• Feeding tube care and management
• PICC line management
• Chest tubes - Emerson/Pleur-evac
• High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
• Tracheostomy management

Preferred Qualifications

• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• IV insulin protocols
• Pre/Post Hemodialysis management
• Accessing ports and central line blood draws
• Starting IVs
• Experience with CVA, neuro surgery, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury
• Ortho trauma and total joint replacements
• Wound care and wound vac (vacuum-assisted closure)

Patient Population & Unit Details

• Adult medical/surgical patients with varied diagnoses.
• ED inpatient holding area within the Emergency Department.
• Mixed unit with high acuity and high turnover.
• Equipment includes cardiac monitors, IV pumps, and other monitoring systems.
• Documentation and communication systems: Pyxis, Epic, SBAR.
• Scheduling managed by unit manager.

Compliance & Onboarding Requirements

• Background checks including local, federal, national criminal, DOJ sex offender, and education verification for highest degree.
• Drug screening within 30 days of start (10-panel, negative result required).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start; if past positive TB, physical within 30 days required.
• Fit testing for N95 mask or completion of PAPR training (not required for non-clinical).
• Immunizations and titers required: Rubeola, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (with facility-specific declination if applicable).
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray per protocol.
• Flu vaccination or approved exemption with mask requirement during flu season.
• Completion of facility-specific education modules and compliance training prior to start.
• Confidentiality agreement, tobacco-free campus acknowledgement, and hospital policies acknowledgment required.
• Photo for badge (passport style, white background, business attire) must be submitted promptly after signing contract.
• Must complete medication safety training and other required competency exams.
• References: 2 professional references within 3 years for travel/per diem acute care RNs.
• Employment application must be uploaded.

Additional Notes

• Candidates will be interviewed due to high turnover and acuity.
• Must be prepared to float between ED Holding, ED, MedSurg, and PCU level patients.
• Contract staff may be reassigned mid-contract to centralized office or other units as needed.
• Storm/Hurricane team participation may be required.

This position is ideal for experienced Registered Nurses comfortable with telemetry and medical-surgical care in a fast-paced emergency department holding environment, willing to work nights and float as needed.