New Graduate Registered Nurse (RN) - Peds/PICU

Denver Health is recruiting a New Graduate Registered Nurse (RN) for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This position is designed specifically for nurses with no previous RN experience and includes a comprehensive 12-month Nurse Residency Program to support your transition from student to practicing professional.

Clinical Setting

The PICU is an 8-10-bed unit dedicated to providing personalized and compassionate care for pediatric patients with severe illnesses and injuries. The unit treats patients with severe infections, diabetes, and respiratory diseases including pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and asthma of all degrees of severity, including ventilated patients. Denver Health is designated as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:2.

Responsibilities

• Learn and execute all job functions as performed by a fully credentialed RN
• Monitor, record, and report symptoms and changes in patient condition and vital signs
• Develop and modify patient care plans as indicated by patient responses and conditions
• Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patient responses and conditions
• Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care
• Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity
• Prepare patients for and assist with examinations and treatments
• Assess the needs of individuals, families, and communities to identify potential health or safety problems
• Instruct individuals and families on health education, disease prevention, and aftercare
• Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients
• Administer medications, document care, and reassess patient responses

You will apply critical thinking and evidence-based policies, procedures, and guidelines to collaborate with the healthcare team and promote excellence in patient safety and quality outcomes. The program utilizes the Theory of Human Caring and Caritas in daily practice.

Nurse Residency Program

Denver Health offers a 12-month Nurse Residency Program that provides monthly education classes and hands-on clinical experiences designed to ease your transition from student to practicing professional nurse. The program builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in your nursing education program.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Nursing
• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• RN-Registered Nurse license from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
• This program is offered to those with no previous RN experience

Required Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of techniques, methods, and competencies of clinical nursing practices
• Knowledge of safety principles and infection control in the patient care environment
• Knowledge of standards, policies, and procedures of Denver Health as they pertain to nursing
• Skill to properly use medical instruments and laboratory equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form
• Ability to apply nursing principles, practices, and techniques
• Ability to assess patients' needs and coordinate proper nursing care
• Ability to respond appropriately to emergency situations
• Ability to use computers and computer systems
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual skills
• EPIC documentation experience

Schedule and Employment

• Shift: Nights
• Work Type: Regular (0.9 FTE)
• Location: Denver, Colorado

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $36.00 - $57.77 per hour

Denver Health provides comprehensive benefits including:

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick time, and 7 holidays
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
• Generous medical, dental, and vision plans in addition to employer-paid disability and life insurance
• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
• Childcare discount programs and exclusive perks on large brands and travel
• Tuition reimbursement and assistance
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) supporting internal career growth and advancement pathways
• Professional clinical advancement program and shared governance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer with free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver's 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan, and Denver Health Foundation. As Colorado's primary and essential safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year. The organization is located near downtown Denver, minutes away from cultural and recreational activities.

All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test once a conditional offer of employment has been made.