Registered Nurse (RN) Surgical/Ortho/Trauma unit 11WT

We are seeking a Registered Nurse for our Surgical/Ortho/Trauma unit (11WT), a 36-bed surgical, orthopedic, and trauma unit designed for nurses who thrive in fast-paced clinical environments. This role offers the opportunity to care for diverse surgical patients and trauma cases while working with an interdisciplinary team committed to clinical excellence.

Clinical Setting

11WT consists of 32 general admission beds and 4 designated trauma beds. The unit receives patients from multiple surgical services including General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Urology Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and ENT Surgery. General surgical cases include appendectomies, hernia repairs, pectus repairs, and tumor resections. Orthopedic cases include spinal fusions, bone fractures, and osteotomies. Urology cases include ureteral re-implants, nephrectomies, and bladder augmentations. Plastic surgery cases include cleft lip and/or palate repairs, rhinoplasties, and brachial plexus repairs. ENT cases include tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, PE tube placement, and cochlear implants.

The four trauma beds serve patients with multisystem or severe injuries from motor vehicle accidents, auto-pedestrian accidents, ATV accidents, gunshot wounds, sports injuries, and child abuse. Minor trauma patients are also cared for throughout the unit. Nurses caring for trauma patients receive additional training in trauma patient management. The trauma nurse role is an expanded position offered on this unit.

Responsibilities

• Perform and document comprehensive assessments of patients and families, including biophysical, psychosocial, developmental, cultural, spiritual, and environmental needs in an organized and systematic manner
• Analyze situations, anticipate potential problems, and detect changes in patient status
• Re-prioritize and update the plan of care based on new information and changes to patient condition; communicate updates to the healthcare team and document in the medical record
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and patient care conferences and document in the medical record
• Assist patients and families in implementing their role in the plan of care
• Assess patient and family learning needs, capabilities, preferences, and readiness to learn prior to teaching
• Demonstrate positive and effective interpersonal skills when interacting with patients, families, visitors, peers, and other healthcare team members
• Administer and document medications and treatments in a timely manner
• Demonstrate willingness and ability to acquire new knowledge and utilize new skills to improve individual, team, and organizational performance
• Participate in unit performance improvement initiatives

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nursing, or an associate's degree or technical diploma in nursing, or current enrollment in a nursing bridge program
• Current licensure with the Board of Nursing for the State of Texas or Nurse Licensure Compact
• BLS certification with American Heart Association
• Nine months of professional nursing experience
• Ability to demonstrate positive and appropriate interpersonal skills
• Good time and resource management skills
• Flexibility
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to operate unit-specific equipment
• Ability to work nights
• Knowledge of the nursing process, critical thinking skills, PALS, ACLS, and interdisciplinary collaboration

Schedule

• Nights

Additional Requirements

• All successful candidates will be required to undergo respiratory fit testing in compliance with occupational health and safety standards.