Registered Nurse (Experienced RN) - Intermediate/Med Surg Stepdown Units - Float Pool-Weekend Option
About the role
Duke Health's Float Pool offers experienced RNs a unique career path to grow and diversify clinical skills across high-acuity specialties while earning a competitive float premium and receiving full benefits equal to unit-based staff. Float Pool nurses are highly adaptable clinicians who thrive in dynamic environments, with comprehensive cross-training and ongoing support to build advanced clinical capabilities across a wide range of patient populations.
This role supports patient care across three hospitals:
- Duke University Hospital (Durham, NC) — 1,062 beds, consistently ranked among the best in the U.S., featuring a regional emergency/trauma center, endo-surgery center, and comprehensive diagnostic/therapeutic facilities
- Duke Regional Hospital
- Duke Raleigh Hospital (a campus of Duke University Hospital)
As part of the Intermediate/Stepdown Float Pool, you'll provide care across diverse specialties including:
- Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Neurology & Neurosurgery
- Oncology
- Orthopedics
- Transplant
- Trauma
Duke University Health System is a Magnet-designated organization with 6,000+ registered nurses. Nurses are consistently recognized among North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses, and the system received the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy. Relocation assistance is available based on eligibility.
Responsibilities
- Deliver high-quality, patient-centered care across Intermediate and Stepdown units
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and actively participate in patient rounds
- Manage patient assignments with ratios typically ranging from 1:3 to 1:6, based on acuity
- Utilize critical thinking to adapt care plans across different clinical settings
- Support a care environment staffed with Charge Nurses, Nursing Care Assistants, and Health Unit Coordinators
- Plan, deliver, and evaluate nursing care using the nursing process
- Delegate and supervise care team members appropriately
- Serve as a preceptor and mentor to peers and learners
- Participate in quality improvement and professional development initiatives
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory and professional standards
Qualifications
Experience & attributes:
- Minimum 1 year of recent RN experience (Intermediate/Stepdown or acute care preferred)
- Thrive in fast-paced, team-oriented environments
- Demonstrate adaptability, accountability, and strong clinical judgment
- Passionate about patient advocacy and family-centered care
- Align with Duke Health's mission: Advancing Health Together
- Embrace culture commitments: Putting People First, Being Clear, Empowering Others, and Adapting to Improve
Education:
- Graduate of an accredited ADN, Diploma, or BSN program
- Note: RNs without a BSN must enroll in a BSN program within 2 years of hire and complete it within 7 years
Licensure & certifications:
- Active RN license in North Carolina or compact state license
- BLS required
- ACLS, NIH, CPI preferred
Schedule
- Shifts: Days (7A–7P), Nights (7P–7A), or rotating
- Schedule options: Weekend option — days, nights, or rotating
Benefits
- $5.00/hour Float Pool premium
- Competitive base pay and shift differentials
- Paid onboarding: ~1 week hospital orientation + ~3 weeks unit-based orientation
- Career Ladder advancement opportunities
- PTO accrual and comprehensive benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
- Up to $25,000 in Nurse Loan Forgiveness
- Tuition assistance and certification bonus
- Relocation assistance (for moves >50 miles)
- Employee referral bonus program
- Duke-funded pension plan (fully vested after 5 years)
- 403(b) retirement savings plan
- Ongoing professional development through Duke Continuing Education