Registered Nurse (RN) - New Graduate - 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. You will provide comprehensive patient care using evidence-based practice and clinical decision-making to deliver safe, therapeutic care in accordance with established standards and policies.

Clinical Setting

Aurora Medical Center Grafton is a 132-bed facility with more than 450 nurses on staff. The progressive care unit offers an excellent learning environment for both newly licensed and experienced RNs. The facility features private patient rooms, comfortable family areas, tranquil meditation gardens, and a welcoming cafeteria. Aurora Medical Center Grafton is recognized for exceptional care in cardiovascular health, women's services, orthopedics, emergency medicine, surgery, and neuroscience. A new patient tower is scheduled to open in 2027.

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
• Use skilled communication to lead efforts in creating the safest patient environment
• Contribute to the best patient experience across the continuum of care

Required Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited or approved program in nursing
• 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

Certifications

• 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 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.