New Graduate Registered Nurse (RN) - Progressive Care Unit

Join Aurora Medical Center Grafton's Progressive Care Unit as a Registered Nurse caring for a diverse patient population requiring higher acuity monitoring and intervention. This 16-bed unit specializes in cardiothoracic surgery patients, including those recovering from lobe resections and esophagectomies, as well as cardiac overflow patients, stroke patients, and others requiring intensive monitoring capabilities. The unit provides an excellent learning environment for both newly licensed and experienced RNs.

Clinical Setting

Aurora Medical Center Grafton is a 132-bed facility with more than 450 nurses on staff. The hospital offers private patient rooms, comprehensive specialized services, and state-of-the-art equipment. The facility is preparing for significant expansion with a new patient tower scheduled to open in 2027. The progressive care unit is designed to support patients transitioning from intensive care or requiring close monitoring with advanced cardiac and medication management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide and coordinate comprehensive patient care through the nursing process
• Deliver safe, therapeutic care in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures
• Apply evidence-based practice and clinical decision-making in patient care
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team
• Lead efforts to create the safest patient environment and best patient experience
• Manage cardiac drips, insulin drips, and other high-acuity medications and interventions
• Monitor patients with increased acuity needs and respond to changing patient conditions

Required Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited or approved nursing program
• Active Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which you practice
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required within 6 months of hire

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, twisting, and lifting throughout the workday. You must be able to safely lift up to 35 pounds and perform patient handling tasks, including pushing and pulling up to 30 pounds and assisting with 150-pound sliding transfers. The role requires functional speech, vision, hearing, touch, and fine motor skills for clinical procedures, as well as the ability to operate equipment with foot controls.

You must be able to respond quickly to changing patient conditions and perform patient safety interventions, including verbal de-escalation and restraints when necessary. Exposure to blood, body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, and hazardous waste may occur; appropriate protective equipment must be used. Physical Abilities Testing and additional department-specific requirements may apply.