Emergency Department Registered Nurse (RN)

Unit Information

The Emergency Department consists of 27 beds and is staffed by approximately 60 team members. Staffing levels are adjusted throughout the day to accommodate patient volume, ensuring optimal care. Core staffing typically includes:

• 4 RNs (or 3 RNs and a medic)
• 1 EMT
• 1 Secretary

During peak hours, the unit may have up to 7 RNs and additional support as needed. The patient-to-nurse ratio is 4:1, with a charge nurse available for support and critical patient care.

Equipment and Technology

The unit is equipped for a Level II trauma center, a certified chest pain center, and is capable of performing thrombectomies for stroke care. The electronic medical record (EMR) system used is Meditech (DOS platform).

Qualifications

Ideal candidates should possess the following:

• Minimum of 1 year of current acute care emergency department hospital experience
• BLS, ACLS, NIH, PALS, TNCC, and ENPC certifications
• CPI Blue card

Preferred qualifications include:

• CEN certification and/or experience with Meditech
• Experience in a high-volume emergency department unit

Key Responsibilities

The registered nurse will be responsible for a variety of duties, including but not limited to:

• Providing care in a high-acuity environment with an emphasis on patient safety
• Administering procedural sedation using agents such as Propofol, Etomidate, and Ketamine
• Engaging with patients and their families to provide clear and supportive communication

Unit Culture and Benefits

This fast-paced emergency department has a particularly strong commitment to reducing opioid use, having decreased usage by 34% through alternative pain management therapies. A stable night shift team is complemented by consistent charge nurse leadership. Additionally, the leadership team is actively involved in the department, facilitating ongoing education and training, as well as enhancing patient care quality.

Additional Information

The emergency department sees a diverse range of cases with a busy workload, including a 30% admission rate and a low percentage of low-acuity patients. It consistently strives to improve perception and delivery of quality care to our community.