Med-Surg Registered Nurse
Freeport, Illinois
Mercyhealth FHN Hospital

Registered Nurse (Med-Surg)

Location: Freeport, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Days (12-hour shifts, 07:00–19:30)
Hours per Week: 36 hours
Unit: Med-Surg (3 East, 3 North, 2 North units combined; staff work interchangeably)

Job Description

• Care for patients with post-operative general, orthopedic, and podiatry diagnoses.
• Manage general medical conditions including diabetes mellitus peripheral neuropathy, congestive heart failure, COPD, cellulitis, continuous bladder irrigation (CBI), BiPAP, peritoneal dialysis (training provided), surgical drains, and wound vacs.
• Patients may be on telemetry; monitoring is done centrally by monitor techs. RNs do not interpret telemetry but validate alerts.
• Floating to ICU or Telemetry units may be required to manage Med-Surg overflow patients within RN scope.

Patient Ratios

• Day shift: 1 nurse to 4-5 patients
• Night shift: 1 nurse to 5-6 patients

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Illinois RN license required to submit application
• BLS certification required

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of recent post-operative recovery experience preferred
• First-time travel nurses are welcome (prior travel experience not required)

Orientation

• Department-specific orientation includes 2 consecutive 12-hour shifts:

  • Day 1: HR, educator, housewide orientation, then preceptor in afternoon
  • Day 2: Full 12-hour shift with preceptor
  • Day 3: Independent

Staffing & Support

• Charge Nurse has patient assignments; Nursing Supervisor Office staff available 24/7 without patient assignments
• Nurse aides assigned based on acuity (ratio approx. 1:12-14), some cross-trained in phlebotomy and 12-lead EKG (telemetry tech experience is a bonus)
• Respiratory therapists manage BiPAP, High Flow, Vapotherm equipment

Scheduling & Requirements

• Weekend: Every other weekend required
• Holidays: Holiday rotation required
• No call or standby requirement for agency staff
• Scrub color: Any professional color accepted

Additional Notes

• RNs are not required to titrate drips
• Travelers with previous employment at any related facility must disclose it for background checks