Med-Surg Telemetry RN
Freeport, Illinois
Mercyhealth FHN Hospital

Med-Surg RN

Overview

• Location: Freeport, Illinois
• Contract length: 13 weeks
• Shift: Days, 12-hour shifts (0700-1930 or 1900-0730)
• Hours: 36 per week
• Scrubs: Any color of professional scrubs

Unit

• Department: MedSurg
• Units: 3 East (24 beds), 3 North (17 beds), 2 North (15 beds). These three units share an umbrella, and staff work interchangeably among them.
• Patient ratios: 1:4-5 on days, 1:5-6 on nights
• Common diagnoses: Post-operative (general, orthopedic, podiatry); general medical (DM, CHF, COPD); cellulitis; CBI; BiPAP; peritoneal dialysis (training available); surgical drains; wound vacs

Required Qualifications

• BLS certification
• Illinois RN license required to submit
• 2+ years of recent post-operative recovery experience
• Travelers with previous employment at any location in the health system must disclose it on their resume for a DNU check

Clinical Details

• RNs are not required to titrate drips.
• Patients may be on telemetry. Telemetry is centrally monitored by a monitor tech; RNs do not read telemetry, and the telemetry nurse validates.
• Respiratory manages equipment including BiPAP, High Flow, and Vapotherm.
• First-time travelers are accepted.

Coverage and Float

• May float to ICU or Telemetry to cover Med-Surg overflow, taking only patients within scope.
• Call or standby is not required for agency travelers; it is required for core staff.
• Weekends: every other weekend.
• Holidays: holiday rotation.
• Charge nurse carries patients. The nursing supervisor office (house supervisor) does not carry patients and is available 24/7.

Orientation

• Two 12-hour orientation shifts. The first includes HR, education, and house-wide orientation, then a preceptor. The second is a full shift with the preceptor. The third shift is worked independently.