Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse
Athens, Georgia
Piedmont Athens Regional

Registered Nurse - Medical Surgical

Location: Athens, Georgia
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 12 weeks

Job Summary

• Patient Population: Adults to Geriatrics
• Unit: 17-bed medical-surgical unit
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:5-6
• Average Daily Census: 15
• Floating: Yes, within facility
• Call Requirements: None
• Weekend Schedule: Every other weekend
• Holidays: Expected to work major holidays during assignment (up to two if three fall within contract)
• Orientation: Maximum 7 days return to orientation (RTO)
• Electronic Systems: Epic, Pyxis, SBAR
• Dress Code: Navy blue scrubs

Required Experience

• Minimum 1 year nursing experience in specialty
• 1st time travelers accepted

Patient Diagnoses Commonly Seen

• Sepsis
• Cellulitis
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
• Metabolic Encephalopathy
• Pneumonia
• Pleural Effusion
• Hypertensive Crisis
• Sickle Cell Crisis
• Pancreatitis
• Gastrointestinal Bleed (GIB)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
• Electrolyte Derangements

Required Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) - AHA or ARC accepted
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required depending on unit (refer to clinical track)

Licensure

• Must hold an active Registered Nurse (RN) license valid in Georgia

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background check completed within 30 days prior to start
• Education verification required (degree related to nursing)
• Physical exam within 12 months prior to start
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 12 months (with additional requirements if history of positive TB)
• Immunizations or titers for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B
• Flu vaccination or signed declination required during flu season
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days prior to start
• Annual Nursys license verification within 30 days prior to start
• Skills checklist updated within 12 months
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam required
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required for telemetry or step-down units (if applicable)
• Color blindness test required

Additional Information

• Floating within the facility may be required
• Must comply fully with orientation and credentialing timelines to avoid assignment delays
• Two clinical references required
• No call responsibilities
• Local candidates accepted at same rate

Work Environment

• General medical-surgical unit with adult to geriatric patients
• Use of electronic medical records and medication dispensing systems
• Team-oriented with a focus on patient safety and quality care

This position is suitable for RNs with at least 1 year of medical-surgical experience who are comfortable managing a variety of adult and geriatric patient diagnoses in a fast-paced hospital setting. Prior travel experience is not required.