Acute Care Nurse

Job Description

About the Job: Acute Care Nurse at VCU Tappahannock Hospital

$2,500 Sign-On Bonus available for offers accepted by April 30, 2026. Terms and Conditions apply.

Kickstart Your Nursing Career with Our 12-Month Nurse Residency Program!

Are you a New Graduate Nurse ready to take the next step in your career? At VCU Health, all new graduate nurses are automatically enrolled in our VIZIENT Nurse Residency Program. This comprehensive 12-month program is designed to support your transition into practice and help you thrive in your first year.

In collaboration with the VCU School of Nursing, this residency focuses on developing crucial skills such as clinical leadership, robust decision-making, and hands-on learning to ensure you’re ready to deliver exceptional patient care from day one.

Program Highlights:

• Monthly Resident Seminars: Engage in ongoing learning and professional development sessions.
• Hands-on Unit-Based Learning & Skill Development: Gain real-world experience through practical training on your assigned unit.
• Focus on Developing Clinical Decision-Making Skills: Enhance your ability to make informed clinical judgments to improve patient outcomes.
• Completion of an Evidence-Based Project: Contribute to best practices through an impactful project.

With a proven track record of success, our Nurse Residency Program provides the ideal foundation for a successful and fulfilling nursing career. Apply today and join a team that is genuinely committed to your growth and success!

Join Our Acute Care Team at VCU Tappahannock Hospital!

The Acute Care Unit at Tappahannock Hospital provides care for medical/surgical patients presenting with a wide array of acute medical conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to, diabetes, congestive heart failure, respiratory illnesses, pain management, post-surgical procedures, gastrointestinal issues, and orthopedic conditions. The unit is equipped to offer telemetry monitoring when necessary.

Our unit boasts 24 private rooms, with the flexibility to convert 6 rooms to semi-private, allowing for a total capacity of up to 30 patients. Three of these rooms are equipped with negative pressure capabilities. The skill mix on the unit comprises Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Patient Care Techs, and Unit Secretaries. Leadership on the unit includes one full-time Nurse Director and one full-time Clinical Coordinator, who jointly manage both the Acute Care Unit and the ICU. Staffing levels are dynamically adjusted per shift based on patient census and acuity to ensure optimal patient care. Initial nursing database assessments are completed within 24 hours of admission, with reassessments performed at a minimum of every 12 hours or as dictated by appropriate nursing policies.

Requirements:

Licensure, Certification, Or Registration Requirements For Hire:

• Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Current RN licensure in Virginia or eligible, or compact state licensure.

Licensure, Certification, Or Registration Requirements For Continued Employment:

• Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Current RN licensure in Virginia, AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent.

Experience REQUIRED:

• Clin I (New Graduate Nurse): N/A
• Clin II: 12 to 24 months RN experience.
• Clin III: 3 years of clinical experience.

Experience PREFERRED:

• Clin I: Experience as an LPN, nursing assistant, or care partner in either an acute care setting or as applicable to the area of practice.
• Clin II, Clin III: Academic Health Care Experience; Experience with similar patient population in either an acute care setting or as applicable to the area of practice.

Education/Training REQUIRED:

• Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Diploma or Associates Degree from a professional nursing program recognized and/or approved by the corresponding state’s Board of Nursing.
• Further Education Requirement: All registered nurses without a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher) will be required to enroll in an approved RN to BSN program within two years of their start date and to complete the program within five years of their start date, unless grandfathered under previous requirements.

Education/Training PREFERRED:

• Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher) from an accredited program.
• Clin III: Certification in specialty area.

Independent Action(s) Required:

• Follows documented physician/licensed independent provider orders.
• Practices within the boundaries of the regulations governing the practice of nursing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Practice is guided by the ANA Code of Ethics for Nursing and established national nursing practice standards.
• All practice is guided by and follows the VCUHS policies and procedures and established practice.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if Applicable):

• Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Organizes work and delegates and supervises others (RN’s, LPN’s, Care Partners, Unit Secretaries, etc.) in carrying out assignments.

Additional Position Requirements:

• Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Clinicians work all three shifts, weekends, and holidays. Individual shift rotation and schedules will be established with your specific Nurse Manager/Practice Manager.
• Schedules, including requirements of shift rotations and hours of work, may be adjusted as necessary to meet unit requirements and/or as needed.

Age Specific Groups Served:

• As appropriate based on unit assignment.

Physical Requirements (includes Use Of Assistance Devices As Appropriate):

• Physical: Lifting 20-50 lbs.
• Other: Exposure to potentially hazardous and infectious substances.
• Activities: Prolonged standing, Prolonged sitting, Frequent bending, Walking (distance), Climbing (steps, ladder, other), Reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive).
• Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem-solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking.
• Emotional: Fast-paced environment, Steady pace, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment.

Rotating Shifts.

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.