Psychiatric RN
Bismarck, North Dakota
CHI Saint Alexius Health

Psych RN

Location: Bismarck, North Dakota Contract Length: 13 weeks Shift: Days, 12-hour shifts (36 hours per week) Orientation: 2 unit-specific 12-hour shifts

Unit Details

• 25 licensed beds. Currently 3 adult beds and 6 adolescent beds in use.
• Locked unit on the 4th floor.
• Only child/adolescent inpatient unit in the region.
• Nurse-to-patient ratios: 3:1 for adults (currently; can go up to 7 patients), 6:1 for adolescents.
• Mental health techs/aids are available. Two would qualify if the unit is full at 9 patients.
• Occupational therapy is available Monday through Friday, plus an OT assistant and social work.
• Respiratory therapy is in-house and comes to the unit. Support includes CPAP or BiPAP at night and some oxygen support.
• No telemetry/monitor techs on this unit.
• Charge nurse and house supervisor coverage is not always present. Someone fills those duties, and travelers are not usually expected to take the charge role.
• Restraints: mechanical restraints (rarely) and seclusion are used.
• Very rare IV use on this unit. Travelers do not need IV experience, though it is a plus.

Patient Population

• Adolescents and adults. Travelers may work with pediatric patients one shift and adults the next, separated by a door.
• Common diagnoses: depression and anxiety. Also substance abuse (alcohol and other substances), psychosis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, other behavioral or personality disorders, and rarely opioid withdrawal and medically cleared patients.

Required Qualifications

• Acute/inpatient or state hospital experience
• Good de-escalation skills and strong communication skills
• BLS certification

Preferred

• CPI certification
• Adolescent experience

Schedule and Floating

• Shifts: 7a-7p, 7p-7a, 7a-3p, 3p-11p, and 11p-7a. Self-scheduling is based on seniority, and the manager balances the schedule. Block scheduling is accommodated when possible.
• Weekends: every other weekend
• Holidays: every other holiday
• No call or standby requirement
• Floating: throughout the hospital as helping hands or 1:1s

Additional Notes

• Workplace violence prevention training is listed in the posting.
• Works with a union hospital.
• Nurses are expected to be active in patient care, including assisting with 15-minute rounds, rather than staying at the nurses' station.
• Attributes that help: patience and being slow to anger.
• Dress code: any scrub color except maroon, and business casual attire.
• Accepts first-time travelers.
• Paid time off: 7 or fewer days per 13-week contract. Additional time off will not be approved, including after submission.
• Radius rule: candidates must live within 50 miles. Candidates may not hold full-time, part-time, or PRN positions with any facility in the same affiliated health system network.
• Profile review and manager interview are required.