Med Surg Orthopedic RN
Council Bluffs, Iowa
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs

Registered Nurse (Med Surg Ortho)

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 count as weekend for night shift)
Floating: May float to Progressive Care Unit (PCU) and Behavioral Health unit

Job Description

Seeking a Med/Surg RN with experience in orthopedic and medical-surgical patient care. The unit includes a mix of patients with diagnoses such as 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, and substance abuse history.

Unit Details

• Beds: 28 plus 22 overflow
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:5
• Charge nurse present on each shift and takes assignments
• Nurse aides/patient care techs available (ratio 1:10)
• Telemetry/monitor techs in ICU; monitors available at main nurses station on unit
• RNs are not required to titrate drips
• Common drips: Heparin, IV antibiotics, antithrombotics, narcotics
• Focus on hourly rounding and bedside shift report
• Scrub color: Navy Blue (scrubs provided)

Orientation

• First week: Classroom orientation
• Followed by one 12-hour shift on the unit
• RN pass/fail exam during orientation (open book, 90% required to pass)

Patient Population

• Primarily Caucasian, low to middle class
• Includes patients who are homeless and/or have mental health or addiction history

Required Qualifications

• Iowa RN license or compact license
• Minimum 1 year of unit experience in Med Surg or Ortho nursing
• BLS certification required
• Valid driver’s license required at submission
• Must comply with fingernail policy: artificial nails prohibited in patient care areas

Additional Notes

• Candidates must be flexible, self-directed, and open to change
• Radius rule: Candidates must live within 50 miles and may not have worked full time, part time, or PRN at certain affiliated facilities within the past year
• No additional return-to-office (RTO) approvals after submission

Prior Travel Experience

• Not specified or required for this position