Registered Nurse (RN), Psychiatry Float Pool (PRN)

Job Responsibilities

• Create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment and utilize trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate strategies to support patients experiencing a range of psychiatric challenges.
• Implement a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors.
• Proactively prevent and respond to crises using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) strategies, including verbal de-escalation and physical interventions when necessary due to imminent risk.
• Lead and intervene in behavioral crises, apply appropriate strategies based on the Stress Model of Crisis and individualized care plans.
• Maintain awareness of environmental risk factors and ensure continuous compliance with departmental policies, hospital protocols, and regulatory standards.
• Apply critical thinking and clinical judgment to assess patient care needs and develop care plans.
• Administer medications and monitor for effectiveness.
• Develop, coordinate, and implement nursing care interventions across physical and mental health needs.
• Deliver support for activities of daily living and provide developmentally appropriate care in both group and individualized settings.
• Maintain designated observation levels with accuracy and compassion.
• Recognize changes in patient condition, respond to deteriorations, and escalate concerns as needed.
• Lead or support structured group programming modifying delivery to meet developmental needs.
• Engage patients meaningfully and observe behaviors to inform treatment progress and problem-solving.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
• Complete all certifications, licensure renewals, and Safety College trainings on schedule.
• Partner with nurse councils, Magnet representatives, and leadership to promote safety best practices and continuous performance improvement.
• Identify and report safety and compliance concerns promptly to support a culture of accountability.
• Accurately document assessments, care interventions, incident reports, safety checks, and patient progress.
• Review and ensure timely, accurate documentation from Behavioral Health Specialists, especially around incidents, safety checks, and behavioral observations.
• Serve as the communication bridge between Behavioral Health Specialists and the interdisciplinary team.
• Clarify clinical priorities and ensure team members are informed and coordinated.
• Participate in family-centered rounds; provide updates and education to families and caregivers, promoting transparency and support.
• Utilize teach-back and other strategies to support understanding of care goals.
• Contribute meaningfully to shift reports, handoffs, and interdisciplinary care planning.

Qualifications

• Associate/Diploma prepared RNs from ACEN, CCNE or NLN CNEA accredited institution.
• If hired as an external candidate without BSN or MSN, must enroll in a BSN or MSN program within 1 year of hire date and complete program within 5 years of hire date.
• Active Ohio RN License.
• May be required to obtain other state licensure.
• Foreign graduates must have license validated through TruMerit per Ohio Board of Nursing code for Foreign Graduates.
• Pass Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification Course during orientation.
• BSN from ACEN or CCNE accredited institution or MSN preferred.

About the Role

Cincinnati Children’s Anthem (Video): Our nurses at Cincinnati Children’s work from dawn to dusk and through the starlit hours to deliver the best possible patient care. When parents bring their children through our doors their focus is on one thing – the best outcome for their kids. The nurses at Cincinnati Children’s help them reach the goal with dignity, respect and lots of smiles. Such quality care is why we are a designated Magnet institution since 2009. It is an honor to be recognized for our excellence in nursing; it sets the bar higher for what we need to continually achieve.

Barb Tofani - Senior Vice President of Patient Services: Working as a Psychiatry Nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center you will enjoy:

• Elevating your psychiatric nursing skills by developing greater behavioral assessment skills and therapeutic communication.
• Leading and co-leading group programming to support patient engagement.
• Implementing a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors, promote skill-building, and support progress toward discharge goals.
• Providing direct patient care in a team-based setting and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes.
• Implementing individualized patient care plans and documenting behavioral observations.
• Establishing a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for youth in crisis.

A state-of-the-art mental health facility that opened in October 2023!

Enjoy Tuition Free Benefits Including Psychiatric Residency Enrichment Program

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Children’s is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years

Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding

Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)

One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune

Consistently certified as great place to work

A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability

Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

We Embrace Innovation—Together. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.