Med Surg/Telemetry RN
Sacramento, California
Methodist Hospital of Sacramento

RN (Registered Nurse) MedSurg/Tele

Overview

• Location: Sacramento, California
• Unit: Medical Acute, 2nd floor (27 beds)
• Contract length: 13 weeks
• Shift: Days, 12-hour shifts (7a-7:30p or 7p-7:30a), 36 hours per week
• Patient ratios: 1:4-5. Tele patients are 1:4 and MedSurg patients are 1:5. The unit can take 8-12 Tele patients.

Required Qualifications

• 2 years of experience (MedSurg/Tele RN)
• Active BLS, ACLS, and NIHSS certifications
• Active California RN license
• Proficient reading and interpreting telemetry strips
• Ability to adapt to a multicultural environment, and be open and respectful of cultures and dialects
• Ability to titrate drips (common drips: Heparin, Diltiazem, Amiodarone, adjusted per orders)
• Accepts first-time travelers who ask for support

Application and Documentation

• Prescreening required
• 2 supervisor references at submittal (charge accepted): 1 within the last 12 months and 1 within the last 3 years worked
• Copy of driver's license at submittal. Pulse profile must match the name on a government-issued ID, with no middle initial or middle name.
• Required exam completed before signing the contract, within 24-48 hours. Candidates get 2 attempts to score 80%. A screenshot showing the number of attempts and a PDF of results are required.
• Failing the second attempt results in a 6-month do-not-use status at the system's facilities.

Unit Details

• Travelers are oriented to surgeon-specific protocols.
• OB overflow couplets are sometimes assigned, and OB RNs float to cover them.
• Translator services are used frequently, including phone, tablet, and video options. Tablets and portable cameras are available for some patients.
• No vents. Bipap and high-flow are used, with respiratory assistance provided. Patients may bring home CPAP with an MD order.
• No monitor techs. Strips print every 4 hours and must be verified and charted by the RN. Monitors must be read by the RN.
• The charge nurse generally does not take patients but provides break relief.
• RN aides are assigned as census and staffing dictate (2 days, 2 swing, 1 night).

Schedule

• Self-scheduling is used, but it is not final until the manager balances it.
• Travelers work 2 of 3 major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's). Managers make the final call, and holiday time off is considered but not guaranteed.
• Weekends are every other weekend (EOW): nights on Friday and Saturday, and days on Saturday and Sunday.
• Holidays rotate with core staff.

Floating

• Float to ER holds, between Med Surg and Def Obs units, and all other Sacramento facilities in the system
• Mid-shift float to another facility is rare but possible

Orientation and Dress Code

• Unit orientation: 1-2 days on the floor with a preceptor
• Navy scrubs. Under shirts must be navy, white, or black. Scrub jackets are optional and must be navy.

Patient Population

• General MedSurg patients, including GI, GU, CHF, pneumonia, sepsis, chest tubes, COVID, myomectomy, bariatrics, abdominal plasty, mastectomy, ortho (pre- and post-op), short-stay elective post-ops, psych, ETOH withdrawal, and inmates
• A large share of county care patients
• Low-income area with common homelessness, substance abuse, inmate patients, and lower health literacy

Environment Notes

• Perfumes and scents should be minimal or avoided.
• No headphones or cell phones in patient care areas.