Travel Nurse RN - Med/Surg / Telemetry in Bakersfield, CA

Job Title

Registered Nurse (RN) – Medical Surgical / Telemetry

Location

Bakersfield, CA | Acute Care

Schedule / Job Type

Contract | Full-Time | Days | 12-Hour Shifts (7:00 AM – 7:30 PM) | 4 weekend shifts per 4-week schedule required

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care on a 27-bed Medical Surgical / Telemetry unit serving acute and chronic medical conditions, post-surgical patients (including Total Joints, Urology, GYN, Podiatry, and General Surgery), and potential stroke patients
• Maintain nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:4 for telemetry patients and 1:5 for Med-Surg patients; mixed teams are held to a 1:4 ratio
• Monitor and interpret remote telemetry strips (Philips system); RNs are required to read, interpret, and co-sign telemetry strips in addition to monitor tech review
• Administer and manage set-rate drips including Heparin; no cardiac drips or ventilator management on this unit
• Participate in shift huddles at 0700 and 1900; collaborate with charge nurses, shift managers, and CNAs based on census
• Float as needed to other Med-Surg Telemetry units, ICU (for Med-Surg Tele patients), or ER (for Med-Surg Tele holds); travelers are first to float

Required Qualifications

• Active RN license valid in the state of California
• BLS certification required
• ACLS certification required
• NIHSS certification required
• Minimum 2 years of RN experience in a Medical Surgical and/or Telemetry setting
• Comfort and experience working with post-surgical patient populations, including Total Joint patients

Preferred Experience / Skills

• Experience with Cerner electronic health records system
• Familiarity with Philips telemetry monitoring systems
• Experience managing Heparin drips and interpreting telemetry strips independently

Why Join Us

• Structured unit environment with house supervisor coverage 24/7, dedicated charge and break nurses each shift, and CNA support based on census
• Defined orientation of 1–2 preceptor shifts to support a smooth transition onto the unit