Registered Nurse I (New Graduate) - 9E Neuroscience Stepdown Unit

Join the Neuroscience Stepdown Unit (9E) at Medical University Hospital Authority as a Registered Nurse I, supporting a 23-bed unit specializing in high-acuity adult neuroscience patients. This position is designed for new graduates entering nursing practice and includes participation in an accredited nurse residency program integrated into your work schedule.

Clinical Setting

9E is a fast-paced, high-functioning neuroscience stepdown unit caring for adult patients with stroke, neurosurgery, and neurology diagnoses. The unit features 23 beds with bedside monitors capable of monitoring arterial lines, measuring central venous pressure (CVP) and intracranial pressure (ICP), and viewing SpO2 and EKG readings. Patient diagnoses and interventions include ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes, subdural hematomas, tumor resections, spine and neurosurgeries, neuroendovascular surgery, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy. Staffing ratios are 1:3 or 1:4 based on patient acuity.

Responsibilities

Under general supervision, you will provide individualized, goal-directed patient care to patients and families at the advanced beginner level, utilizing principles and practices of the nursing process. You will interact with other members of the healthcare team to achieve desired patient outcomes and deliver safe, effective care.

Schedule

• 36 hours per week
• Three 12-hour shifts with varying schedules based on department needs
• Rotating shifts
• Overtime as required

Required Qualifications

• Active registered nurse license from the South Carolina Board of Nursing or a compact state
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers or equivalent, or American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree preferred unless you are a current MUSC employee
• If hired with an Associate or Diploma degree in nursing on or after July 1, 2013, you are required to enroll in an accredited BSN program within two years and successfully obtain your BSN degree within four years of hire or reclassification date

Certifications and Professional Development

• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) certification required
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification required
• Stroke certification encouraged

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform job functions while standing, sitting, and walking continuously. You must be able to climb stairs infrequently, work from elevated areas frequently, and work in confined or cramped spaces frequently. The role requires continuous bending at the waist, frequent twisting at the waist, frequent squatting, frequent pinching operations, and continuous gross and fine motor activities with fingers and hands. You must be able to reach overhead frequently and in all directions continuously, perform repetitive motions with hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders continuously, and fully use both legs continuously with frequent use of lower extremities for balance and coordination. You must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds unassisted infrequently, lift or lower objects of 50 pounds from or to the floor from or to 36 inches unassisted infrequently, and lift from 36 inches to overhead 25 pounds infrequently. You must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force frequently (for example, transferring a 100-pound patient who cannot assist requires 50 pounds of force; for every 100 additional pounds, assistance from another healthcare worker is required). Vision requirements include maintaining 20/40 vision corrected in one eye or with both eyes continuously, seeing and recognizing objects close at hand or at a distance continuously, matching or discriminating between colors continuously, determining distance and relationship between objects with good depth perception continuously, and maintaining good peripheral vision capabilities continuously. You must maintain hearing acuity with correction continuously and maintain tactile sensory functions continuously. You must be able to deal effectively with stressful situations continuously and work in a latex-safe environment continuously.

Benefits and Support

MUSC offers student loan repayment and tuition assistance programs. The unit features individualized orientation with frequent meetings to ensure your needs are met, an accredited nurse residency program for all new RNs incorporated into your schedule, and a self-scheduling platform. 9E is known for low turnover due to strong teamwork and positive physician and APP working relationships.