ChristianaCare, a healthcare organization with 1100 beds between two Magnet® recognized hospitals (Christiana and Wilmington) and the only Level 1 Trauma service on the East Coast corridor between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Honored repeatedly as "One of America’s Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report!

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) in the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) provides comprehensive nursing care to individuals experiencing acute psychiatric, behavioral health, or substance use crises. The RN ensures patient safety, delivers evidence-based interventions, coordinates multidisciplinary care, and supports stabilization and transition to appropriate levels of treatment. Position is full time flex 72 hours per pay, primary shift 7:30 pm-7:30 am, every other weekend, every other holiday requirement.

Core Responsibilities

Patient Care & Clinical Practice

• Conduct initial nursing assessments, including physical and mental health evaluations, risk assessments (suicidality, aggression, withdrawal, etc.), and medical history.
• Provide direct patient care, including medication administration, wound care, vital signs monitoring, and crisis intervention techniques.
• Implement individualized care plans, ensuring alignment with psychiatric treatment goals and physician orders.
• De-escalate patients using trauma-informed approaches, therapeutic communication, and approved crisis intervention strategies.
• Monitor and document patient behaviors, responses to treatment, and changes in clinical status.
• Ensure safe and timely transfer or discharge of patients to appropriate inpatient, outpatient, or community-based services.

Safety & Crisis Management

• Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment, adhering to established protocols for high-risk patients.
• Participate in psychiatric and medical emergency interventions, including Code responses, restraints, and seclusion per policy.
• Conduct and document regular safety checks, contraband searches, and environmental risk assessments.
• Adhere to all infection control, restraint, and de-escalation guidelines.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with psychiatrists, social workers, advanced practice providers, behavioral health specialists, and security teams.
• Engage patients’ families/support systems in care planning when appropriate.
• Communicate clearly with the Emergency Department and inpatient psychiatric units for smooth transitions of care.
• Provide clinical updates in shift handoffs and interdisciplinary rounds.

Education & Advocacy

• Educate patients and families about diagnoses, treatment plans, coping strategies, and community resources.
• Advocate for patient rights, autonomy, and dignity throughout crisis care.
• Participate in staff education, unit-based training, and continuing professional development.

Documentation & Compliance

• Accurately document assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the electronic health record.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, state/federal regulations, and Joint Commission standards.
• Assist with data collection and quality improvement initiatives for behavioral health services.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Active RN license in state of practice.
• BSN preferred
• ADN accepted must sign agreement upon hire to obtain BSN within three years of hire.
• Current BLS (required); ACLS and CPI or equivalent de-escalation certification preferred.
• Previous psychiatric, behavioral health, or emergency nursing experience strongly preferred.
• Strong crisis intervention, de-escalation, and therapeutic communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, patient-centered care.

ChristianaCare Offers:

• Full Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, etc.
• Two retirement planning offerings, including 403(b) with company contributions
• Generous paid time off with annual roll-over and opportunities to cash out
• 12 week paid parental leave
• Tuition assistance
• Incredible Work/Life benefits including annual membership to care.com, access to backup care services for dependents through Care@Work, retirement planning services, financial mentor, fitness and wellness reimbursement, and great discounts through several vendors for hotels, rental cars, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets and much more!

Hourly Pay Range: $41.28 - $66.05

This pay rate/range represents ChristianaCare’s good faith and reasonable estimate of compensation at the time of posting. The actual salary within this range offered to a successful candidate will depend on individual factors including without limitation skills, relevant experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.