Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Freeport, Illinois
FHN Memorial Hospital

Job Opportunity: ER Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Freeport, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 3 months)
Shift Length: 12-hour shifts

Experience & Requirements

• Minimum 3+ years of ER nursing experience required (higher value from description).
• Flexibility with rotating start times.
• Moderate sedation experience preferred.
• First-time travelers are welcome (prior travel experience not required).
• Illinois RN license required.
• Required certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) or ENPC (Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course)
  • TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) or TNS (Trauma Nurse Specialist)
  • NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)

Department & Patient Care Details

• Emergency Department with 24 beds, including 4 behavioral health safe rooms.
• Trauma level: Non-trauma emergency care; STEMI/Stroke ready; cath lab availability varies.
• Patient volume: 60-80 patients per 24 hours.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: Approximately 1:4-5, adjusted based on acuity and staffing.
• Patient population: Neonates to geriatrics, with a wide range of diagnoses from minor injuries to critical care cases.
• Common procedures: Moderate sedation, lumbar puncture, management of critical care drips.
• Nurses care for behavioral health patients and those in holding areas intermixed with ER patients.

Team & Support Staff

• Physician coverage: At least one physician on staff at all times, with mid-level providers during some shifts.
• Charge nurse available during day shifts; house supervisor available 24/7.
• ED techs (CNA/EMT/Paramedic) assist with EKGs, blood draws (phlebotomy experience required), wound care, transport, and room maintenance.
• Respiratory therapists available as needed; nurses may perform breathing treatments.
• Monitor techs staff the ED monitors; RNs interpret monitor data.
• Imaging (X-ray/CT) is located adjacent to the ED; transport usually by techs, sometimes nurses.

Scheduling & Work Environment

• Shifts: 12-hour shifts with various start times (7a-7p, 10a-10p, 11a-11p, 12p-midnight, 7p-7a).
• Flexibility to work all shifts is important.
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend or as needed.
• Holiday requirement: Rotates with core staff; likely to work some holidays but not all.
• No call or standby requirements.
• Potential floating to Medical-Surgical, Telemetry, or ICU units depending on experience.
• Dress code: Solid professional scrubs.
• Orientation: 2 shifts (12 hours each) plus HR onboarding.

Additional Notes

• This is a community hospital setting with a diverse patient population and a fast-paced ER environment.
• Nurses must be adaptable and able to handle a variety of emergency and critical care situations.
• Prior travel experience is not required for this position.