New Graduate Registered Nurse (RN) - 2026 Graduates

UNC Health Wayne is hiring New Graduate Registered Nurses for December 2026 graduates. This position qualifies for the UNC Health Wayne Incentive Program, offering a commitment incentive of up to $15,000 and relocation assistance of up to $10,000.

As a New Graduate RN, you will be immersed in a structured program designed to build your expertise, confidence, and readiness for professional nursing practice. You will work closely with a seasoned RN preceptor to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for patients. The role involves applying the nursing process to deliver professional holistic patient care, assisting providers in carrying out therapeutic regimens, and directing other licensed and non-licensed nursing teammates.

Clinical Settings

You may be assigned to one of the following units:

2nd Floor Post-Surgical Unit: A 40-bed adult inpatient unit primarily serving patients recovering from orthopedic procedures, general surgeries, and urologic interventions. The unit averages 5-10 admissions per day with a strong focus on quality post-operative care.

3rd Floor Cardiac Telemetry Unit: Specializes in patients with chest pain, irregular heart rhythms, chronic conditions like heart failure or hypertension, post-cardiac catheterization with stent placement (low risk), and post-pacemaker implantation (low risk). The unit also manages patients with pneumonia, chronic pulmonary disease (COPD), viral respiratory illnesses, renal failure, stroke, and post-surgical recovery. Patients are connected to telemetry monitors via chest electrodes that transmit heart electrical activity data to a central monitoring system, allowing the team to track heart rhythms, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation while permitting patient mobility.

4th Floor Oncology Unit: Specializes in caring for adult patients with oncology and hematology diagnoses, focusing on managing symptoms or complications related to cancer or blood disorders. The unit also manages general medical overflow patients, particularly those with end-stage renal disease requiring peritoneal dialysis. Bedside nurses receive specialized training in peritoneal dialysis.

6th Floor Medical-Surgical Stroke Unit: A 48-bed unit focusing on care of adult patients with a variety of medical and surgical diagnoses including diabetes, stroke, kidney failure, respiratory distress, sepsis, and liver disease. The care team includes RNs, LPNs, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and providers.

7th Floor Progressive Care Unit (PCU): A specialized area with 20 telemetry beds and 8 hardwired Intensive Care level of care beds serving adult patients ages 18 and up with acute and chronic cardiac and medical/surgical conditions. Common diagnoses include Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), NSTEMI, and pre/post cardiac procedures.

Emergency Department: A 52-bed unit including a 4-bed Behavioral Health Unit with three triage rooms, an ambulatory area with a three-stretch bay, a decontamination area, and a family consultation room. The department operates with 24-hour registration, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, and CT radiology coverage, with specialized radiology services available on-call after 5 PM.

Intensive Care Unit: A 16-bed unit providing critical care and life support for critically ill or injured patients, offering cardiac monitoring, mechanical ventilation, diagnostics, and post-operative care for adults with acute and chronic critical illness.

Responsibilities

• Use the nursing process to plan, provide, supervise, and document professional nursing care in accordance with provider orders, hospital and nursing standards, policies, procedures, and regulations
• Individualize the plan of care using professional nursing judgment based on patient baseline needs and response to care; evaluate patient progress and update care plan accordingly
• Demonstrate competence in care of patients with complex problems, including population-appropriate physical, psychosocial, educational, and safety aspects of care
• Perform bedside point-of-care testing as required for the patient care plan
• Organize and prioritize care according to patient and family needs
• Consult with appropriate resources regarding patients with complex care issues, unusual teaching needs, or those at high risk for discharge planning
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with providers, interdisciplinary teammates, patients, and families
• Follow systems that support the nursing process and deliver safe and effective patient care
• Understand and comply with regulatory guidelines
• Monitor the activities of other licensed or unlicensed teammates and delegate appropriately
• Provide direction, training, and guidance in the proper use, care, and control of material resources
• Assist teammates in the delivery of nursing care and provide direct patient care as indicated
• May act as team leader or charge nurse as assigned
• Complete continuing education, professional development, and in-service programs to meet regulatory and job requirements
• Guide the professional growth of others through precepting, role modeling, coaching, and mentoring
• Respond appropriately in emergency situations
• Keep leadership informed of any problems or concerns
• Participate in performance improvement activities, departmental committees, and operational projects as assigned
• Promote a safe, clean environment
• Present and promote a professional demeanor at all times, establish high standards of customer service, support responsibility and teamwork, remain calm under pressure, and offer reasonable solutions for problems
• Ensure delivery of age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and ethical care for all patients
• Apply knowledge of standard precautions and routinely use PPE to avoid risk of exposure
• Take appropriate care of material resources and equipment

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Current Registered Nurse license in North Carolina
• BLS certification and/or other specialized life support certifications as required by department
• Ability to stand, walk, and meet the physical requirements of the job for the duration of shift
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
• Proficiency with EMR/Epic and ability to learn new software rapidly
• Ability to apply the nursing process appropriately
• Ability to assess the nursing needs of acute and chronically ill patients
• Ability to perform independently within scope of practice and work collaboratively
• Good interpersonal and customer service skills
• Good organizational, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of nursing experience

Additional Certifications

Additional certifications may be required by assigned department.

Schedule

• Full-time position
• 36 hours per week
• Variable schedule
• Onsite work

Additional Requirements

• Valid North Carolina driver's license is not required for the position itself. However, if driving a UNC Health Wayne vehicle, you must be at least 21 years old and your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) must be approved by Risk Management.