Medical-Surgical Telemetry Float RN
Durango, Colorado
Mercy Regional Medical Center

Registered Nurse (RN) – Medical-Surgical/Telemetry Float

Location: Durango, Colorado
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights
Hours: 12-hour shifts, approximately 36 hours per week

Unit/Department Overview

• Float pool covers multiple units including General Medical-Surgical (MS) and Telemetry, with specialties such as Cardiac, Neurology, Oncology, Rehabilitation, Renal, Bariatrics, Orthopedics, Trauma, and Emergency Department Observation.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio typically ranges from 1:5 to 1:6 depending on patient acuity.
• Patient population includes adults and geriatrics with diagnoses such as cardiac, neuro, ortho, oncology, renal, urology post-surgical, general surgery post-appendectomy, gynecology, psychiatric/detox, ENT, general medicine, and stable long-term placement patients.

Required Qualifications

• Must have 2 years of Medical-Surgical/Telemetry nursing experience (preferably with prior neurology experience).
• Current RN license appropriate for Colorado.
• Required certifications: BLS and ACLS (American Heart Association).
• Ability to titrate drips, including Heparin.

Orientation & Training

• 1-2 days of unit-specific orientation with a preceptor.
• Clinicians must be physically present in-state for the week of orientation, even if some modules are remote.

Scheduling & Work Expectations

• Schedule is set by leadership for 6 weeks at a time; travelers must be flexible to fill gaps in permanent staffing.
• Weekend shifts: 6-9 shifts within a 6-week schedule.
• May be asked to participate in holiday rotation.
• Call or standby is rare and only for low census situations.
• Time off requests must be submitted prior to starting the assignment.

Float and Unit Assignments

• Nurses may float to various acuity levels including ICU (low acuity holds), PCU/Stepdown, and MS-Telemetry units.
• In rare cases, may float within a broader zone including behavioral health and other hospitals.

Additional Information

• Charge nurses are designated on each unit and typically do not take patient assignments unless necessary; night shift charge nurses may occasionally have a small patient assignment.
• Nurse aides are present on the units.
• Respiratory therapy equipment such as vents, CPAP, and BiPAP are used on the units.
• Dress code: any scrub color is allowed.

Travel Experience

• No explicit requirement for prior travel experience mentioned.