ER Registered Nurse
Freeport, Illinois
Mercyhealth FHN Hospital

Job Opportunity: ER Registered Nurse

Location: Freeport, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift Length: 12-hour shifts

Job Description

Seeking experienced Emergency Room (ER) Registered Nurses for a travel contract. The ER department has 24 beds and treats approximately 60-80 patients per day, ranging from neonates to geriatrics with a wide variety of diagnoses including respiratory viruses, trauma, cardiac events, and behavioral health cases.

Work Environment & Department Details

• Trauma Level: Emergency care provided, non-trauma center; STEMI/Stroke ready; cath lab available depending on schedule.
• No separate fast track area; all patients intermixed in the ER.
• Triage area present but travelers typically do not work triage.
• Behavioral health safe rooms (4) included within ER beds.
• Security available 24/7, often present in the ER.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio typically 1:4-5, adjusted based on acuity and staffing.
• Moderate sedation and lumbar puncture experience beneficial.
• Commonly used critical care drips.
• Provider coverage includes physicians and mid-level providers with 24/7 house supervisor and charge nurse support.
• Support staff includes ED techs (CNA/EMT/Paramedic) who assist with EKGs, phlebotomy, wound care, transport, and room maintenance.
• Respiratory therapists available as needed; nurses may perform breathing treatments.
• Imaging (X-Ray/CT) accessible adjacent to ER.
• Blood draws performed by techs and nurses.
• Monitor techs staff the ED; RNs interpret telemetry.

Scheduling

• Shifts: 12 hours (various start times including 7a-7p, 10a-10p, 11a-11p, 12p-12a, 7p-7a).
• Flexibility to work all shifts is important.
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend or as needed.
• Holiday coverage: Rotates with core staff; likely to work some holidays.
• No call or standby requirements.
• Potential floating to Medical-Surgical, Telemetry, or ICU units depending on experience.

Required Qualifications

• Illinois RN license.
• Minimum 3 years of ER nursing experience.
• Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS or ENPC, TNCC or TNS, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS).
• Moderate sedation experience preferred.
• Flexibility with rotating start times.
• First-time travelers are welcome.

Orientation

• Department-specific orientation: 2 shifts (12 hours each).
• Additional HR onboarding required.

Additional Notes

• Solid professional scrub colors required.
• Prior employment at any related facility must be disclosed for background checks.

This position offers a dynamic ER environment with diverse patient populations and a supportive team structure. Ideal for ER nurses seeking a travel assignment with varied clinical experiences.