Registered Nurse, Intermediate/Stepdown Units, Float Pool

Company: Duke Health
Location: Durham
Posted on: March 4, 2026

Job Description:

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together. Duke Nursing Highlights: - Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization - Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses. - Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification. - Duke University Health System has 6000 registered nurses - Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle! Registered Nurse (Experienced RN) – Full Time Duke University Health System Float Pool – Intermediate/Stepdown Units Duke University Health System is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse to join our Intermediate/Stepdown Float Pool. This full-time role offers a unique opportunity to float across multiple units at: - Duke University Hospital - Duke Regional Hospital - Duke Raleigh Hospital, a campus of Duke University Hospital The float pool supports a wide range of specialties, including: - Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery - General Medicine - General Surgery - Neurology & Neurosurgery - Oncology - Orthopedics - Transplant - Trauma About the Float Pool In the Float Pool, it is embedded in our staff to rise to the challenge and adapt to situations. Nurses receive extensive training across multiple specialties, becoming clinical experts with a broad skill set and deep knowledge of diverse patient populations. Unlike other health systems in the area, Duke offers the same benefits to Float Pool staff as unit-dedicated staff, making this a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to grow your career while enjoying full support and recognition. We are seeking RNs who: - Thrive in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment - Demonstrate accountability, adaptability, and clinical excellence - Value family-centered care and patient advocacy - Embrace Duke Health’s mission to Advancing Health Together and culture commitments of Putting People First, Being Clear and Empower and Adapting to Improve Work Schedule: - Day (7A-7P), Night (7P-7A) or rotating Shifts - Three 12-hour shifts each week OR alternating three 12-hour shifts one week and two 12-hour shifts the following week - One Monday, one Friday, one Saturday, one Sunday per each 4 weeks of the schedule - One major and minor holiday for winter and summer holidays - Weekend option opportunities available What you will do: - Deliver exemplary care across Intermediate and Stepdown units - Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and participate in patient rounds - Nurse-to-patient ratios range from 1:3 to 1:6, based on acuity - Units are staffed 24/7 with Charge Nurses, Nursing Care Assistants, and Health Unit Coordinators As a Clinical Nurse II in Duke University Health System, you will plan and provide professional nursing care for patients in accordance with the medical and nursing plans of care and established policies and procedures. Provide nursing services to patients and families in accordance with the scope of the RN as defined by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. - Plan, provide, supervise and document professional nursing care utilizing the nursing process for patients in accordance with physician orders and established policies and procedures. Use professional nursing judgment to individualize the plan of care based on assessment of the patient's baseline needs and response to care. - Delegate tasks and supervise the activities of other licensed and unlicensed care providers. - Assist other nursing personnel in the delivery of nursing care. - Monitor and initiate corrective action to maintain the environment of care including equipment and material resources. - Participate in own professional development by maintaining required competencies, identifying learning needs and seeking appropriate assistance or educational offerings. - Act as preceptor and support the development of other staff and formal learners. - Participate in the identification of clinical or operational performance improvement opportunities and in performance improvement activities. - Adheres to all rules and regulations of all applicable local, state and federal agencies and accrediting bodies. - Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein. What we will provide: - Float Pool RN Premium of $5.00 per hour - Paid Training: One week of hospital orientation along with an average 3 weeks of clinical orientation for an experienced RN - Career Ladder Advancement - PTO accrual - Nursing Specialty Certification Bonus - Tuition Assistance - Up to $25,000 Nurse Loan Forgiveness - ALL full time (at least 0.75 FTE) RN positions are eligible. - Relocation assistance available for Nurses relocating greater than 50 miles to Durham, NC. - Duke will reimburse up to $25,000 of nursing school student loan debt over three years for eligible RNs who are employed in a full-time .9 FTE (36 hours/week) - Employee Referral Program - Employees’ Retirement Plan, a traditional defined benefit pension plan designed to provide you with a guaranteed monthly income at your retirement, paid for entirely by Duke and fully vested after five years of service. - Duke Faculty and Staff 403(b) Retirement Plan - team members may elect to have a portion of each paycheck deducted and contributed to a plan administered by Fidelity. - Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Pension plan and much more. - Opportunities for a Lifetime. Duke University Health System is committed to providing robust learning and development from Office of Continuing Education. What you will need: - Graduation from an accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher) OR Associate's Degree in Nursing OR Nursing Diploma program. - Twelve months of recent appropriate clinical experience is required for Experienced Registered Nurses. All registered nurses without a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (or higher) will be required to enroll in an appropriate BSN program within two years of their start date and to complete the program within seven years of their start date. Licensure and Certification Required: - Current registration with North Carolina State Board of Nursing as a registered professional nurse OR current compact RN licensure to practice in the state of North Carolina required. - BLS, ACLS, NIH, CPI certification preferred Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Keywords: Duke Health, Durham , Registered Nurse, Intermediate/Stepdown Units, Float Pool, Healthcare , Durham, North Carolina