Telemetry Registered Nurse
Bakersfield, California
Mercy Hospital Downtown

Tele 4SW Nurse - Bakersfield, California

Contract Length

• 13 weeks

Unit Information

• 32 beds, all private
• Nurse-to-patient ratios:

  • 1:4 for telemetry patients
  • 1:5 for MedSurg patients
  • Mixed teams maintain 1:4 ratio
• Telemetry monitors: GE Monitors
• RNs must be able to read and interpret all cardiac rhythms
• No titration of drips required
• Common set rate drips: Cardizem, Amiodarone, Heparin
• Respiratory equipment: CPAP or BiPAP (per RT & MD order), no ventilators
• CNAs assigned based on census
• House supervisor available 24/7; Nurse Manager during business hours; Charge Nurse and Break Nurse on each shift

Patient Population

• Acute and chronic medical conditions
• Post-surgical patients including bariatrics and total joints
• Urology, gynecology, podiatry, general surgery
• Stroke patients
• Potential oncology patients
• Non-titratable drips

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 2 years of nursing experience in specialty
• Cerner experience preferred
• RNs must be able to read and interpret cardiac rhythms

Certifications Required

• BLS (AHA)
• ACLS
• NIHSS (AHA or APEX)

Scheduling & Shifts

• 12-hour shifts: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM and 7:00 PM - 7:30 AM
• Every shift includes a huddle at shift start (7:00 AM and 7:00 PM)
• Weekend requirement: 4 weekend shifts in a 4-week schedule

  • Weekend days: Fri/Sat for nights, Sat/Sun for days
• Holiday requirement: Minimum 1 major and 1 minor holiday
• No call required, but may be placed on standby with a 30-minute response time if called in

Floating

• Travelers are first to float
• Possible float locations:

  • Mercy Downtown Tele units (~6.5 miles away)
  • Any MS Tele unit
  • ICU for MedSurg Tele patients
  • ER for MedSurg Tele holds

Orientation

• 1-2 shifts with a preceptor

Dress Code

• Navy blue scrubs required
• Undershirts must be navy, white, or black
• Scrub jackets must be navy
• No hoodies, sweatshirts, or sweat jackets allowed

Additional Notes

• Warm and welcoming staff
• Must uphold evidence-based practices including bedside shift report, intentional hourly rounding, and medication teaching with side effects
• Fast-paced unit with high surgical admission and discharge volume
• Strict attendance policy; punctuality is mandatory
• Days off every other week (EOW)
• Travelers are first to float