Travel Nurse RN - Psychiatric - $2,073 per week

First Connect Health
  • Bismarck, ND
  • $2,073 Per Week
Today

Job Description

First Connect Health is seeking a travel nurse RN Psychiatric for a travel nursing job in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Job Description & Requirements

  • Specialty: Psychiatric
  • Discipline: RN
  • Start Date: 10/05/2026
  • Duration: 13 weeks
  • 36 hours per week
  • Shift: 12 hours, days
  • Employment Type: Travel

Psychiatric Registered Nurse (Psych RN)

Department: Inpatient Psychiatry / Behavioral Health
Specialty: Psych RN
Assignment Type: Travel
Beds: 25 licensed beds
Current Census: 3 Adult beds and 6 Adolescent beds
Shift Options: 7:00 AM–7:00 PM / 7:00 PM–7:00 AM
Other Shift Options: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM / 3:00 PM–11:00 PM / 11:00 PM–7:00 AM
Weekend Requirement: Every Other Weekend
Holiday Requirement: Every Other Holiday
Orientation: 2 × 12-hour shifts
Floating: Throughout the hospital as helping hands or 1:1 assignments
Dress Code: Any color except maroon; business casual is also permitted

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Psychiatric Registered Nurse (Psych RN) to provide compassionate, hands-on care to adult and adolescent behavioral health patients in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

This is the only child/adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit in the region, providing care in a secure, locked environment. Nurses are expected to be actively involved in patient care, including frequent rounding, de-escalation, safety monitoring and direct patient support.

The ideal candidate is patient, calm under pressure, an excellent communicator and comfortable working with patients experiencing a wide range of psychiatric and behavioral health conditions.

Required Qualifications

  • Active Registered Nurse license
  • BLS – Required
  • CPI – Preferred
  • Previous acute/inpatient psychiatric or state hospital experience – Required
  • Strong de-escalation skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to remain calm and patient in challenging situations
  • First-time travelers are welcome
  • Adolescent psychiatric experience – Preferred

Patient Population

The unit cares for both adolescent and adult psychiatric patients. Travelers may work with adolescents on one shift and adults on another, with the populations separated by a secure door.

Common Diagnoses

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Substance abuse
  • Alcohol-related disorders
  • Other substance use disorders
  • Psychosis
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Behavioral disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Rare opioid withdrawal cases

Patients are medically cleared before admission to the psychiatric unit.

Staffing & Ratios

Adult Unit

  • Typical ratio: 3:1
  • Census may increase to approximately 7 patients

Adolescent Unit

  • Typical ratio: 6:1

Mental Health Technicians/Aides are available to support the nursing team. When the unit is full at approximately 9 patients, staffing may include additional mental health support.

Additional interdisciplinary support includes:

  • Occupational Therapy Monday–Friday
  • OT Assistant
  • Social Work
  • Mental Health Technicians/Aides

Nursing Responsibilities

Psych RNs are expected to be highly engaged in direct patient care, including:

  • Comprehensive psychiatric and behavioral assessments
  • Medication administration and monitoring
  • Patient safety monitoring
  • Therapeutic communication
  • De-escalation of escalating behaviors
  • Participation in treatment planning
  • Monitoring patient behavior and mental status
  • Assisting with 15-minute safety rounds
  • Maintaining a safe therapeutic environment
  • Collaborating with physicians, social workers, OT and other members of the care team
  • Responding appropriately to behavioral emergencies

Nurses are expected to be “doers” and actively participate in patient care rather than remaining at the nurses' station.

Safety & Behavioral Management

  • Mechanical restraints may be used rarely
  • Seclusion is available when clinically necessary
  • Locked inpatient psychiatric unit
  • Emergency buttons available for Code Blue
  • Code Yellow system provides additional staff support when needed
  • Hospital security is available
  • Life Safety Desk provides additional safety support

IV / Medical Support

IVs are very rare on this unit. Travelers are not required to have extensive IV experience, although it is considered a plus.

Respiratory Therapy is available in-house and can assist with patients requiring respiratory support, including:

  • Oxygen support
  • CPAP
  • BiPAP at night
  • Respiratory treatments

There is no dedicated telemetry/monitor technician requirement on the unit.

Scheduling

  • 7:00 AM–7:00 PM
  • 7:00 PM–7:00 AM
  • Additional shifts may include:
    • 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
    • 3:00 PM–11:00 PM
    • 11:00 PM–7:00 AM

Scheduling Details

  • Self-scheduling based on seniority
  • Manager reviews and balances the schedule
  • Block scheduling may be accommodated when staffing needs allow
  • Every Other Weekend
  • Every Other Holiday
  • No call/standby requirement

Floating Requirement

Travelers may be asked to float throughout the hospital for:

  • Helping-hands assignments
  • 1:1 patient observation/support

Orientation

2 × 12-hour shifts of unit-specific orientation.

Hiring Process

Profile Review + Manager Interview

Important Assignment Requirements

Radius Rule

A 50-mile radius rule applies.

CommonSpirit Employment Restriction

Candidates may not currently be, or have been within the applicable restriction period, full-time, part-time or PRN employees with any facility associated with CommonSpirit, including CHI and/or Dignity.

RTO – Requested Time Off

  • All RTO must be submitted upfront with the initial submission
  • Maximum RTO: 7 days per 13-week contract
  • Additional RTO requests will not be approved after submission

What Makes a Successful Psych RN?

Successful nurses on this unit are:

  • Patient and compassionate
  • Calm under pressure
  • Slow to anger
  • Strong communicators
  • Confident with behavioral de-escalation
  • Comfortable working with both adolescent and adult populations
  • Willing to be actively involved in hands-on patient care
  • Adaptable and team-oriented

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced Psych RN with acute/inpatient psychiatric experience, strong behavioral health assessment skills and excellent de-escalation abilities. Adolescent psychiatric experience is preferred, but first-time travelers are welcome.

Akshay #1173827

About First Connect Health

At First Connect Health, we take pride in being a Joint Commission–certified healthcare staffing agency, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. This prestigious certification is more than just a seal — it's a reflection of our commitment to excellence, safety, and quality in everything we do.

By meeting the rigorous standards set by The Joint Commission, one of the most respected accrediting bodies in healthcare, we've demonstrated that our processes, compliance, and patient care standards are aligned with the highest levels of quality in the industry.

But our dedication goes beyond certifications. Nurses choose First Connect Health because:

  • Trust and Transparency: We foster honest communication, timely updates, and full transparency throughout your placement journey.
  • Best Pay & Benefits: We offer industry-leading compensation packages, along with benefits that support your career goals.
  • Flexibility & Choice: Whether you're seeking short-term assignments, long-term contracts, or local opportunities, we provide the flexibility to suit your preferences.
  • Personalized Support: Our recruiters take the time to understand your needs, guiding you with care, respect, and responsiveness at every step.

When you work with First Connect Health, you're not just another number — you're a valued professional. Join a team that’s focused on your success, your well-being, and your future in healthcare.

Benefits

  • Sick pay
  • 401k retirement plan
  • Weekly pay
  • Referral bonus

Numbers & Facts

LocationBismarck, ND

Skills

  • Behavioral Healthunmatched
  • Code Blueunmatched
  • Communication Skillsunmatched
  • Healthcareunmatched
  • Hospitalunmatched
  • Identify Issuesunmatched
  • Interpersonal Skillsunmatched
  • Life Safety Systemsunmatched
  • Medical Office Administrationunmatched
  • Medication Administrationunmatched
  • Needs Assessmentunmatched
  • Nursingunmatched
  • Occupational Therapyunmatched
  • Patient Careunmatched
  • Patient Safetyunmatched
  • Psychiatric Nursingunmatched
  • Psychiatry and Mental Healthunmatched
  • Recruiting/Staffing Agencyunmatched
  • Registered Nurse (RN)unmatched
  • Registered Training Organisation (RTO)unmatched
  • Respiratory Therapyunmatched
  • Safety/Work Safetyunmatched
  • Social Workunmatched
  • Staff Requirementsunmatched
  • Standards of Careunmatched
  • Substance Abuseunmatched
  • Team Playerunmatched
  • The Joint Commission (TJC)unmatched
  • Time Managementunmatched
  • Willing to Travelunmatched

Be found by employers

5,500+ employers search our resume database daily. Add yours to get found by recruiters looking for candidates like you.

Level up your application

Professional resume templates

Browse dozens of recruiter approved resume templates, layouts and formats. Choose your favorite and make it your own in minutes.

Free resume templates

Free resume builder

Improve your existing resume or start from scratch and create a standout, ATS-friendly resume. Add job-specific content, download and apply.

Free resume builder