Labor & Delivery RN
Freeport, Illinois
Mercyhealth FHN Hospital

Registered Nurse (LDRP)

Location: Freeport, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights
Hours: 12-hour shifts, approximately 36 hours per week
Weekend Requirement: Every 2nd to 3rd weekend
Holiday Requirement: Work half of the holidays, alternating yearly
Call Requirement: Yes, 1-2 shifts per 6-week period, can be split into 4-hour blocks, with 30-minute callback time
Floating: Only in critical need situations, assisting as helping hands or sitter, no full patient assignments

Unit Overview

• Labor & Delivery unit with 7 L&D beds, 7 postpartum beds, 2 triage beds, and 1 OR suite for C-sections
• Approximately 255 births annually
• Follow AWHONN guidelines for nurse-to-patient ratios
• Common patient diagnoses: labor, preeclampsia, hypertension, obesity, gestational diabetes, preterm labor (≥32 weeks/1500 grams)
• Neonatal care includes stabilization and couplet care; babies on oxygen up to 6 hours before transfer if needed
• Care also includes clean gynecological surgeries (e.g., vaginal/abdominal hysterectomies)
• OB hospitalists on-site 24/7; anesthesia available weekdays day shift and on-call other times (response within 30 minutes)
• Respiratory therapy equipment available for complications
• Remote telemetry monitoring techs read strips; nurses do not perform telemetry monitoring
• Electronic fetal monitoring system: OBIX

Required Qualifications

• Illinois RN license required
• Minimum 1 year of Labor & Delivery experience (L&D experience is a must; LDRP skills ideal)
• Certifications: BLS, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), AWHONN intermediate or advanced certification
• Ability to titrate drips (common drips: Pitocin, Insulin)

Additional Information

• Department-specific orientation up to 3 shifts
• Unit staffed by 2 day-shift unit secretaries/CNAs who assist with clerical work and patient support
• Charge nurse/house supervisor role available as a rounder with a full assignment but lower acuity
• Hospital-provided scrubs and waterproof non-slip shoes required
• Scheduling is self-managed by unit staff with leadership approval
• Prior employment at any related local health system must be disclosed for background checks