Job info

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - Surgical Short Stay/Observation Unit

Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Details

Specialty: Registered Nurse (RN)
Unit: Surgical Short Stay/Observation
Shift: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:30 PM - 8:00 AM), Monday-Friday with weekend rotation
Patient Ratio: 1:4
Weekend Requirement: 2-3 weekend shifts per month
Holiday Requirement: May require holiday rotation
On-call: No
Floating: Yes, may need to float within scope to like units or sister facilities

Experience & Licensure Requirements

Years of Experience Required: 2 years
Prior Travel Experience: Not explicitly required
License: South Carolina RN license or Multi-State/Compact RN license
Certifications Required:
- BLS (Basic Life Support)
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
First-time travelers: Accepted

Facility Highlights

Level I Trauma Center
Teaching Facility
Magnet Hospital
Total Staffed Beds: 820
Charting System: EPIC
Scrub Color: Navy blue or royal blue (OR scrub access available)

Scheduling & Work Conditions

Block scheduling possible with manager approval, dependent on unit needs
Local radius: 60 miles
Locals may be accepted on a case-by-case basis
Guaranteed hours: Facility may call off 1 shift per 2 weeks
Hurricane season (June-November) may require assignment to emergency response teams

Required Documentation & Compliance

Proof of work eligibility (I-9 form)
Copy of Driver’s License/State ID
Social Security Card or SSN verification
Background checks including:
- SSN Trace
- Statewide and national criminal checks
- Sex offender registry
- FACIS 3 and international searches if applicable
Education verification (diploma/transcripts)
NURSYS license verification (active, unencumbered)
Drug screening: 10-panel drug screen within 90 days of start
Physical exam: Initial and updated annually
Fit test for N95 mask within 90 days of start, renewed annually
Immunizations and titers:
- Tdap within 10 years or declination form
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (positive titer or vaccines)
- Varicella (positive titer or vaccines)
- Hepatitis B (titer, vaccine series, or declination)
- Negative TB test (T-spot or Q-Gold within 90 days) or chest x-ray if positive history
Flu vaccination or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Aug-April)
COVID vaccination highly preferred; declination form required if not vaccinated
Competency exams and medication/pharmacology tests as applicable
Color blindness testing required prior to start
Facility-specific orientation modules and first day instructions must be completed before orientation
Passport-style photo for badge required before start

Additional Notes

Floating between units may be required to meet facility needs
Radiation badge required only for specific roles (not applicable for this RN position)
Sterile Processing Techs have additional health and certification requirements (not applicable here)
Prior travel experience is not required for this position

This position is ideal for RNs with at least 2 years of experience who are comfortable working night shifts with weekend and holiday rotations in a high-acuity teaching hospital environment.

Facility

Medical University of South Carolina - University Hospital

3.7rating(67 reviews)

5 nurses recommend working with Medical University of South Carolina - University Hospital

5.0rating

Anonymous

Polysomnographer (Allied Health Professional)

Review of Medical University of South Carolina - University Hospital on Jan 16, 2026

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DetailsVerification data is contributed by healthcare professionals like you, who leave reviews on Vivian.

Short Term Acute Care
769 beds

ADDRESS171 Ashley AvenueCharleston, SC 29425

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About Charleston, SC

As a Travel Progressive Care Nurse in Charleston, SC here's what you should know:

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Charleston is slightly higher than the national average.
Wages may not fully match up with the higher cost of living.

Weather

Average summer highs range from 85°F to 90°F, while winter lows range from 38°F to 42°F.

Furnished Housing

Short term rentals are available but may require some effort to find due to high demand, especially during tourist seasons.

Transportation

Charleston is car-friendly, but traffic can be congested in certain areas.
Public transportation options include buses and shuttles, but they may not cover all areas of the city.

Demographics

Charleston has a diverse population with a wide age range.
Common health issues may include allergies due to the pollen-rich environment and potential exposure to tropical diseases.
There is a large population of travel nurses due to the city's popularity.

Things to Do

Charleston offers a vibrant culinary scene with a variety of restaurants serving delicious southern flavors.
It also has a rich arts and music culture, with frequent festivals and world-class galleries.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, surfing, fishing, and golfing, as well as exploring the beautiful beaches and natural habitats.

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