Medical-Surgical Orthopedic Registered Nurse
Council Bluffs, Iowa
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs

Med Surg Ortho RN Opportunity - Council Bluffs, Iowa

Position Details

• Specialty: Med Surg / Ortho RN
• Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Shift: 12-hour shifts (0630-1900, 1830-0700)
• Hours Guaranteed: 36 hours per week
• Scheduling: Self-scheduling
• Weekend Requirement: Every third weekend (Friday and Saturday considered weekend for night shifts)
• Floating: May float to PCU and McDermott (behavioral health)

Requirements

• Licensure: Iowa or compact nursing license required
• Experience: Minimum 1 year of unit experience
• Certifications: BLS required
• Orientation: First week classroom orientation plus one 12-hour shift on the unit
• Exam: RN’s must pass a 90% on an open book skills exam during orientation (failure results in termination)
• Driver’s License: Required at submission to verify distance compliance

Unit Information

• Department: Med Surg / Ortho
• Beds: 28 plus 22 overflow
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:5
• Nurse Aids/Patient Care Techs: Yes, ratio 1:10
• Charge Nurse: Present on each shift and takes assignment
• Monitor Techs: Present in ICU; monitors available at main nurses station on unit
• Drip Management: RNs are not required to titrate drips
• Common Drips: Heparin, IV antibiotics, antithrombotics, narcotics

Patient Population & Common Diagnoses

• Total knees, total hips, shoulder replacements
• COPD, diabetes, wounds, IV infusions
• Dementia, oncology, fractures (hips, ankles)
• Sepsis, pneumonia, cholelithiasis
• Ambulatory dysfunction, appendicitis
• Acute respiratory distress, CHF
• Patients with mental health and/or addiction history
• Primary population: Caucasian, low to middle class, including homeless patients

Policies & Additional Notes

• Radius Rule: Candidates must live within 50 miles and cannot have worked full time, part time, or PRN within the past year at any facility associated with CommonSpirit (including CHI and Dignity)
• Fingernail Policy: Artificial nails prohibited in all patient care areas; refusal to remove will result in contract termination
• Dress Code: Navy blue scrubs (scrubs provided)
• Unit Focus: Hourly rounding and bedside shift report
• Candidate Traits: Looking for flexible, self-directed nurses who enjoy change and learning
• Return to Office (RTO): Required upfront; no additional RTO approvals after submission