Registered Nurse (RN) - Full Time - Night Shift - Behavioral Health - Crisis Team

ChristianaCare is a healthcare organization with 1,100 beds between two Magnet® recognized hospitals (Christiana and Wilmington) and the only Level 1 Trauma service on the East Coast corridor between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Honored repeatedly as "One of America’s Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report.

About the Role

The Registered Nurse (RN) in the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) provides comprehensive nursing care to individuals experiencing acute psychiatric, behavioral health, or substance use crises. The RN ensures patient safety, delivers evidence-based interventions, coordinates multidisciplinary care, and supports stabilization and transition to appropriate levels of treatment. This position works in both PES Wilmington and Christiana and assists on the 7N Unit as needed.

Full-time flex position requiring 72 hours per pay period, with a primary shift of 7:00 pm–7:30 am, every other weekend, and every other holiday.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial nursing assessments, including physical and mental health evaluations, risk assessments (suicidality, aggression, withdrawal, etc.), and medical history.
• Provide direct patient care, including medication administration, wound care, vital signs monitoring, and crisis intervention techniques.
• Implement individualized care plans, ensuring alignment with psychiatric treatment goals and physician orders.
• De-escalate patients using trauma-informed approaches, therapeutic communication, and approved crisis intervention strategies.
• Monitor and document patient behaviors, responses to treatment, and changes in clinical status.
• Ensure safe and timely transfer or discharge of patients to appropriate inpatient, outpatient, or community-based services.
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment, adhering to established protocols for high-risk patients.
• Participate in psychiatric and medical emergency interventions, including Code responses, restraints, and seclusion per policy.
• Conduct and document regular safety checks, contraband searches, and environmental risk assessments.
• Adhere to all infection control, restraint, and de-escalation guidelines.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, social workers, advanced practice providers, behavioral health specialists, and security teams.
• Engage patients’ families/support systems in care planning when appropriate.
• Communicate clearly with the Emergency Department and inpatient psychiatric units for smooth transitions of care.
• Provide clinical updates in shift handoffs and interdisciplinary rounds.
• Educate patients and families about diagnoses, treatment plans, coping strategies, and community resources.
• Advocate for patient rights, autonomy, and dignity throughout crisis care.
• Participate in staff education, unit-based training, and continuing professional development.
• Accurately document assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the electronic health record.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, state/federal regulations, and Joint Commission standards.
• Assist with data collection and quality improvement initiatives for behavioral health services.

Requirements

• Active RN license in state of practice.
• BSN preferred; ADN accepted but must sign agreement upon hire to obtain BSN within three years.
• Current BLS certification (required); ACLS and CPI or equivalent de-escalation certification preferred.
• Previous psychiatric, behavioral health, or emergency nursing experience strongly preferred.
• Strong crisis intervention, de-escalation, and therapeutic communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, patient-centered care.

Benefits

• Full medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Two retirement planning offerings, including 403(b) with company contributions.
• Generous paid time off with annual roll-over and opportunities to cash out.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.
• Work/life benefits including annual membership to care.com, access to backup care services for dependents through Care@Work, retirement planning services, financial mentor, fitness and wellness reimbursement.
• Discounts on hotels, rental cars, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets, and more.

Pay

Hourly pay range: $41.28 – $66.05. The actual salary offered will depend on individual factors including skills, relevant experience, and qualifications.

Schedule

Full-time flex position requiring 72 hours per pay period, with a primary shift of 7:00 pm–7:30 am, every other weekend, and every other holiday.