Medical-Surgical RN
Weirton, West Virginia
Weirton Medical Center

Registered Nurse (MedSurg Level 8)

Location: Weirton, West Virginia
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Details

• Unit Type: Medical-Surgical
• Number of Beds: 48
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratios:

  • Days: 1:5-7
  • Nights: 1:6-8
• Charge Nurse Coverage:

  • Day shift: 2 charge nurses, both take patient assignments
  • Night shift: 2 charge nurses scheduled; if only 1 charge nurse, they do not take patient assignments
• Patient Care Techs (PCT) / Nurse Aids:

  • Ratio approximately 1:10-12 (can be higher)
  • Duties include vitals, blood glucose monitoring, EKGs, applying heart monitors, bathing, feeding, toileting, turning, and positioning

Patient Population & Common Diagnoses

• Pneumonia
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Altered Mental Status (AMS)
• Gastrointestinal Bleed
• Alcohol Withdrawal
• Falls / Weakness

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 1 year of nursing experience required
• First-time travel nurses accepted (no prior travel experience required)
• RNs are required to titrate drips with some exceptions (no cardiac drip titration)
• Common drips include heparin, bumex, lasix

Certifications & Licensure

• Current RN license required
• BLS certification required
• PCT class available for those interested in becoming a Patient Care Tech or can have CNA certification

Respiratory Therapy & Monitoring

• Respiratory Therapists (RT) handle breathing treatments, inhalers, ABGs, and manage respiratory equipment such as BiPAP, CPAP, and high flow oxygen
• RNs monitor respiratory equipment but do not perform treatments
• Telemetry monitoring is done by dedicated monitor techs located on a different floor; RNs are not required to read or interpret telemetry strips

Scheduling & Work Environment

• Shifts: 12-hour shifts, 7am-7pm for RNs; 6am-6pm for CNAs
• No self-scheduling or block scheduling; schedule created by manager with consideration for requested time off
• Rotating shifts typically scheduled as 2 weeks days followed by 2 weeks nights (no days and nights in the same week)
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend
• Holiday requirement: may be included in holiday rotation for RNs; PCTs work holidays only if scheduled
• No call or standby requirements
• Floating required to other Medical-Surgical, MedSurg-Telemetry, or Intermediate Care units for lower acuity patients

Orientation

• Unit-specific orientation includes:

  • 1 day with educator/computer system training
  • 1 day preceptor shift
• Orientation covers 12-hour night shifts and weekends as scheduled

Dress Code

• RN scrubs: Navy blue
• PCT scrubs: Ceil blue
• Secretaries: Black and pink

Additional Notes

• Must submit a copy of an unexpired driver’s license with application
• Licensing issues must be disclosed at time of submission
• 50-mile radius rule applies for candidate submissions