Med Surg Orthopedic Trauma RN
Omaha, Nebraska
CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center Bergan Mercy

Registered Nurse (Med Surg Ortho Trauma)

Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights
Hours: 12-hour shifts, 36 hours per week guaranteed

Unit & Patient Population

• Department: Medical-Surgical / Telemetry / Orthopedics (4th Floor North & South)
• Unit size: 55 beds
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:5-6
• Common patient diagnoses: joint replacements, fractures, colon resections, COPD exacerbations, prostatectomy, cellulitis, sepsis, orthopedic trauma, GI bleeds, pneumonia, failure to thrive
• Patient population includes diverse cultures such as Spanish, Karen, and Burmese speakers

Job Responsibilities & Environment

• RNs are required to titrate drips including heparin, lidocaine, and ketamine
• Common drips include PCA pumps
• Charge nurse present on each shift and takes patient assignments
• Nurse aides/patient care techs support the unit with ratios of approximately 1:10-20
• Telemetry techs interpret cardiac monitors; RNs should have telemetry awareness but do not read strips independently
• Floating required to other Med-Surg areas or units with Med-Surg patients waiting for beds
• Mechanical lifts available in every other patient room
• Emphasis on hourly rounding, responsiveness, managing multiple admissions and discharges daily
• Successful nurses are team players with good attendance, compassion, and patient-first attitude

Scheduling & Orientation

• Shifts: 6:30 AM–7:00 PM (day) and 6:30 PM–7:00 AM (night)
• Travelers are scheduled with limited block scheduling allowed
• Weekend requirement: typically every other weekend, with possible additional coverage based on demand
• Holiday requirement: 2-3 holidays between Thanksgiving and New Year’s
• Orientation: 2 days of unit/department-specific orientation
• Return to work (RTO) required within 7 days of contract start; no additional RTO extensions

Required Qualifications

• Current RN license valid in Nebraska
• BLS (AHA) certification required
• ACLS certification preferred
• Must pass a 90% score on a pass/fail open book exam during orientation (exam covers skills learned)
• Valid driver’s license required at time of submission (used to verify candidate is outside a 50-mile radius)
• Candidates may not be currently employed full-time, part-time, or PRN with any facility associated with a specific large healthcare system within 50 miles

Additional Policies

• Artificial nails are prohibited in all patient care areas; refusal to remove will result in contract termination
• Scrub color for RNs: Navy Blue

Notes

• The unit serves a high-acuity, diverse patient population with a focus on orthopedic trauma and medical-surgical care
• Nurses must be able to manage a fast-paced environment with multiple admissions and discharges daily
• Strong teamwork, compassion, and reliability are essential for success on this unit