Orthopedic Registered Nurse
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center

Registered Nurse - Ortho (Travel/Contract)

Location: Winston Salem, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: 12-hour nights (typically 4 shifts per week, 18:45–7:15)
Hours per Week: 48 hours

Job Description

• Fast-paced orthopedic unit caring for orthopedic, neuro spine, med-surg, and post-surgical patients.
• Average daily census: 37 patients in 39 beds/rooms.
• Patient care includes pain management for ortho and spine patients.
• Covid patients are cared for on all units unless in ICU.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: typically 5-6:1, can flex to 7:1 in extreme cases.
• Float requirement: Must float to other med-surg units as needed based on census.
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend mandatory; missed weekend shifts must be made up on a weekend.
• Block scheduling options available (e.g., Fri/Sat/Sun or Sat/Sun/Mon).
• No approval for holiday time off (RTO).
• Maximum 7 days of RTO allowed for auto-offer.
• No return to orientation (RTO) allowed after booking; call-offs or additional RTO may lead to cancellation.
• Must pass EKG competency testing prior to start.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in North Carolina
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 2 years of orthopedic nursing experience, with orthopedic experience within the last year
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

Preferred Qualifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification.
• Charge nurse experience.
• Level I trauma experience.

Scheduling & Workload

• 12-hour night shifts, 36 or 48 hours per week offered.
• Floating to other med-surg units required.
• Weekend work every other weekend mandatory.

Compliance & Onboarding Requirements

• Background check within 6 months required for clinical candidates.
• Drug screening (9-panel) within 6 months required.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year required; if past positive TB, additional documentation required.
• Required immunizations and titers: Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (with facility-specific declination form if applicable).
• Flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season; mask required if exempt.
• Physical exam not required for this crisis profile.
• Color blindness testing within 1 year required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam must be passed with 82% or higher within 72 hours of start; up to 3 attempts allowed with remediation.
• Medication/pharmacology competency exams required for new contracts.
• Orientation safety manual acknowledgment required.
• Photo for badge (passport style, white background, business attire) must be submitted immediately after signing contract to avoid start delays.
• Confidentiality agreement, hospital policies acknowledgment, and annual compliance training required.
• Completion of facility-specific education modules and orientation checklists required (may take 8-10 hours).
• Corporate ID setup and I-Learn login within 24 hours of receiving credentials required; proof must be submitted.

Additional Notes

• No holiday time off allowed during contract.
• Unit is fast-paced and requires nurses who can manage pain effectively for ortho/spine patients.
• Candidates must be prepared for floating and weekend work.
• Strict attendance and RTO policies apply; failure to comply may result in contract cancellation.

This position is ideal for registered nurses with orthopedic experience seeking a travel contract in a busy med-surg/ortho environment with night shifts and flexible scheduling options.