Registered Nurse (RN) - General Surgery Stepdown

Company: Duke Health
Location: Durham
Posted on: March 29, 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. About Duke University Hospital Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health's four hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more. 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! - Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility) General Surgery Vascular/Trauma Stepdown 3300 *Newly Hired Experienced RNs are eligible for a $15,000 commitment bonus *Relocation available for New and Experienced RNS* Duke University Health System - Duke University Hospital seeks to hire a new graduate Registered Nurse who will embrace our mission of Advancing Health Together. Unit Profile: The General Surgery & Trauma Stepdown Unit (3300) at Duke strives to provide exceptional care to acutely ill patients. We are a 31 bed stepdown unit with a patient population consisting primarily of abdominal and vascular surgeries, abdominal oncology as well as a variety of trauma patients. Our unit offers an opportunity to cultivate critical thinking in a fast-paced environment that promotes team building and fosters learning. The RNs in our unit aim to provide the highest quality care to our patient population while serving as patient advocates. On unit 8300, we strive to develop the foundational skills required to excel in the nursing field while working within an extensive interdisciplinary and supportive team. You will master skills such as: ? Tracheostomy care and maintenance ? Blood product administration ? Wound care including wound management systems ? Ostomy care and maintenance and patient education ? Management of chest tubes and various drains ? Maintenance of a variety of collars, braces, and orthopedic devices ? Polytrauma mobility ? Post-operative monitoring and care ? Various pain management techniques including Patient Controlled Analgesic (PCA), Epidural pumps, Ketamine, and Lidocaine infusions. ? Foley catheter insertion, maintenance, and removal ? Nasogastric tube insertion, maintenance, and removal ? Central and Peripheral IV maintenance and removal ? Administration of oral, intravenous, and via tube medications ? Collection of laboratory specimens, including but not limited to blood and urine ? Cardiac telemetry monitoring ? Parenteral and Enteral nutrition administration ? Coordination of patient and family education Work Hours & Shifts: • 3 12’s Night Shift General Description of the Job Class Independently plan and provide professional nursing care for patients in accordance with physician orders 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. Duties and Responsibilities of this Level - 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 and act as team leader or charge nurse for a group of patients or an entire unit as assigned. - 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. - Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein. Required Qualifications at this Level Education - Work requires graduation from an accredited BSN program. - Graduation from an accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher), Associate's Degree in Nursing or Nursing Diploma program is required. - 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 - Exception: Registered nurses hired between July 1, 2014 and April 11, 2021 without a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (or higher) are encouraged to enroll in an appropriate BSN program within two years of their start date but must complete the program within five years of their start date. Registered nurses hired before July 1, 2014 are not required to enroll in a BSN program to remain in this job classification. Experience - No experience required. - All CNIs will be enrolled in and must complete the DUHS Nurse Residency Program within 12 months of hire. - CNIs are required to meet criteria set forth by the DUHS Nurse Residency Program within 18 months of hire to be promoted to CNII. Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification - Must have current or compact RN licensure in the state of North Carolina. BLS required. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Knowledge of scope of the registered nurse, licensed practical nurse and unlicensed staff - Knowledge of and appropriate application of the nursing process - Knowledge of professional theory, practice and procedure - Ability to assess nursing needs of acute and chronically ill patients and their families - Ability to independently seek out resources and work collaboratively - Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships - Ability to communicate clearly with patients, families, visitors, healthcare team, physicians, administrators, leadership and others - Ability to teach patients and families in accordance with the nursing plan of care - Ability to use sensory and cognitive functions to process and prioritize information, treatment, and follow-up - Ability to use fine motor skills - Competent in BLS and/or other specialized life support requirements designated by work area - Ability to record activities, document assessments, plan of care, interventions, evaluation and re-evaluation of patient status - Ability to use computer and learn new software programs - Able to document and communicate pertinent information using computer and/or paper documentation tools - Ability to navigate the entity to provide clinical care for patients - Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking. - Ability to remain focused and organized - Working knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine and special treatments to patients - Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions - Working knowledge and completion of appropriate The Joint Commission (TJC) and other regulatory requirements - Pre-employment Physical Capacity Testing Required Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level N/A 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 (RN) - General Surgery Stepdown, Healthcare , Durham, North Carolina