Registered Nurse (RN) - Short Stay Observation Unit - Nights

22h22 hours ago

Mercy Cedar Rapids

US · Full-time · $65,000 – $75,000

About this role

This unique, 28-bed Short Stay Observation Unit at Mercy Cedar Rapids provides fast-paced, diverse, and rewarding nursing opportunities. RNs care for patients requiring brief hospital stays of 24 to 48 hours after emergency department visits or surgery, covering post-op, ortho, urology, cardiology, and acute pain cases.

As an RN in the unit, you will deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care while monitoring patients recovering from surgery, illness, or acute pain. You will educate patients and families so they feel confident at discharge, document accurately, and respond quickly to changes in patient condition.

The unit fosters a truly supportive team environment where every nurse's voice matters, working collaboratively with physicians, techs, and fellow nurses. Mercy Cedar Rapids is an independent, locally-managed healthcare system with a proud 120-year history of serving the community.

Open to both experienced nurses and new graduates, the position offers hands-on orientation and a robust mentorship program to build skills across multiple specialties. This role provides an opportunity to develop a broad skill set while helping patients transition safely back home.

Requirements

Current Iowa Registered Nurse (RN) license.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
Ability to work 12-hour night shifts (7p-7:30a) including every third weekend and rotating holidays.
Demonstrated critical thinking and judgment skills necessary to implement a patient plan of care and nursing interventions.
Ability to perform comprehensive assessments and continually evaluate patient and family needs.
Commitment to patient-centered care and collaborative teamwork.
New graduates welcome; orientation and mentorship provided.

Responsibilities

Deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care to patients in the 28-bed Short Stay Observation Unit.
Monitor patients recovering from surgery, illness, or acute pain, responding quickly to changes in condition and emergencies.
Educate patients and families so they feel confident and prepared at discharge.
Collaborate closely with physicians, techs, and fellow nurses to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.
Document accurately and communicate clearly at hand-offs to ensure seamless care transitions.
Demonstrate competent assessment, planning, intervention, coordination, and evaluation based on the individual patient plan of care.
Foster a respectful, compassionate, and team-focused environment where each voice matters.
Provide care for a diverse patient population including post-op, ortho, urology, cardiology, and acute pain cases.

Benefits

Up to $15,000 sign-on bonus for eligible candidates.
Full-time benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and retirement.
Hands-on orientation and mentorship program tailored to your experience level.
Opportunity to build a broad skill set across multiple specialties (post-op, ortho, urology, cardiology, acute pain).
Supportive team environment where your voice matters.
Work at a 120-year-old independent, locally-managed healthcare system.