Registered Nurse (RN) - Acute Care - Nights

Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) is a 70-bed facility located in the heart of South Central Virginia serving residents of over 7 counties, including North Carolina due to its location just off the I-85 interstate and its proximity to the NC border. CMH is a Primary Stroke Center and can manage acute ischemic strokes within the facility. The Acute Care unit consists of three separate nursing units for a total of 54 beds and serves a diverse population from pediatrics to geriatrics, including medical, telemetry, and surgical patients.

The average Acute Care nurse-to-patient ratio is 1 to 4, with additional nursing support provided by patient care technicians, patient safety associates, unit secretaries, and cardiac monitor technicians. The patient care team also includes 24-hour Hospitalist and ancillary support. The community setting of CMH fosters a family and patient-centered atmosphere with outstanding teamwork throughout the organization.

Nursing leadership supports continuing education and provides opportunities for team members to advance their knowledge and skills. CMH is actively expanding services for the community through recruitment of specialists for inpatient and outpatient units.

About the role

The Clinical Nurse role integrates technical skills and theoretical knowledge to meet the needs of patients and families. This position assists the healthcare team with illness and injury prevention, wellness maintenance, and comfort provision. Nurses provide direction, education, and begin acquiring leadership skills at the unit level. Responsibilities include delivering and documenting direct, age-specific care based on medical orders and an integrated, multidisciplinary plan of care, as well as safely administering prescribed medications.

• Clinical Nurse I: Assists the healthcare team and begins to acquire leadership skills at the unit level.
• Clinical Nurse II: Demonstrates mastery of clinical skills, recognizes changes in patient situations, and intervenes appropriately. Mobilizes resources to meet patient/family needs and assumes leadership responsibilities.
• Clinical Nurse III: Demonstrates advanced clinical knowledge, anticipates changes in patient situations, and serves as a role model. Provides direction and education in a clinical setting.

Schedule

Three 12-hour shifts weekly, including every third weekend.

Requirements

• Licensure, Certification, or Registration (Required for Hire):
  • Current RN licensure in Virginia, eligible, or compact state licensure.
• Licensure, Certification, or Registration (Required for Continued Employment):
  • Current RN licensure in Virginia.
  • AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent.
• Experience:
  • Clinical Nurse I: No prior RN experience required.
  • Clinical Nurse II: 12 to 24 months of RN experience.
  • Clinical Nurse III: 3 years of clinical experience.
• Preferred Experience:
  • Clinical Nurse I: Experience as an LPN, nursing assistant, or care partner in an acute care setting or applicable area.
  • Clinical Nurse II & III: Academic healthcare experience or experience with a similar patient population in an acute care setting.
• Education/Training (Required):
  • Diploma or Associate’s Degree from a professional nursing program recognized by the corresponding state’s Board of Nursing.
  • All registered nurses without a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (or higher) must enroll in an approved RN to BSN program within two years of their start date and complete it within five years unless grandfathered under previous requirements.
• Preferred Education/Training:
  • Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher) from an accredited program.
  • Clinical Nurse III: Certification in specialty area.

Responsibilities

• Follows documented physician/licensed independent provider orders.
• Practices within the boundaries of regulations governing nursing in Virginia, guided by the ANA Code of Ethics and established national nursing practice standards.
• Organizes work and delegates tasks to RNs, LPNs, care partners, unit secretaries, and others.
• Delivers and accurately documents direct, age-specific care based on medical orders and an integrated, multidisciplinary plan of care.
• Safely administers prescribed medications, identifying incompatibilities and/or interactions.
• Works all three shifts, weekends, and holidays as required by unit needs. Shift rotations and schedules are established with the Nurse Manager/Practice Manager.

Physical Requirements

• Physical: Lifting 20-50 lbs; exposure to potentially hazardous and infectious substances.
• Activities: Prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, frequent bending, walking (distance), climbing (steps, ladder, other), reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive).
• Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, reading, logical thinking.
• Emotional: Fast-paced environment, steady pace, ability to handle multiple priorities, frequent and intense customer interactions, noisy environment.