Travel Nurse RN - Psych - $2,017 per week in Madison, WI

Job Opportunity – Behavioral Health Registered Nurse – Wisconsin

Start Date: November 9, 2026

Location: Wisconsin

Compensation: Details provided to qualified applicants

Schedule: Evening and night shifts available including 8-hour and 12-hour options (1500-2330, 1900-0730, and 2300-0730). Weekend rotation and holiday coverage as needed.

Highlights:

• Work in a Magnet-designated academic medical center recognized as Wisconsin's #1 hospital
• Favorable nurse-to-patient ratios: 1:4 during days/weekends and 1:6 during nights on an 18-bed behavioral health unit
• Focus on therapeutic nursing interventions and patient care rather than primarily medication distribution
• Epic charting system with comprehensive interdisciplinary support including IV teams, pharmacy, rapid response, and specialized services
• Serve adult and geriatric populations with diverse behavioral health diagnoses including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and substance use disorders
• Float as patient care assistant based on unit census and operational needs

Requirements:

• Active RN license (Wisconsin or compact state)
• Minimum 2 years of recent inpatient behavioral health nursing experience within the last 3 years
• Previous charge nurse experience required
• Experience working with lower nurse-to-patient ratios (1:4 or better) strongly preferred
• BLS certification (American Heart Association only)
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) certification
• Epic charting system experience required
• Strong competency in behavioral health skills including de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, managing assaultive behavior, physical hold protocols, seclusion procedures, and emergent chemical restraints
• Experience with locked psychiatric units and voluntary/involuntary commitment processes
• Community hospital or Trauma Level I experience preferred
• Must successfully complete telemetry competency exam with strict passing criteria prior to start
• Flu vaccination required (medical/religious exemptions only)
• Must reside more than 50 miles from the facility

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

This position offers the chance to practice therapeutic behavioral health nursing in a premier academic medical center where clinical excellence and patient-centered care are the foundation. You'll work with manageable patient ratios that allow for meaningful engagement with patients experiencing complex psychiatric conditions, focusing on behavioral interventions, crisis management, and therapeutic relationships rather than task-oriented medication distribution. Join an interdisciplinary team at a nationally recognized teaching institution that values professional development and evidence-based psychiatric nursing practice.