<p>A state psychiatric hospital in Pueblo, Colorado is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse for a 24-week travel contract in adult inpatient behavioral health. This high-acuity psychiatric unit operates on a 48/48 schedule — 48 hours on, 48 hours off — with 12-hour day or night shifts available, delivering a compressed, high-earning work pattern. At $3,498 per week, this contract offers one of the stronger weekly rates in travel psychiatric nursing, paired with a structured, security-supported inpatient environment where clinical autonomy and de-escalation expertise are central to the role.</p>
<h3>Perks and Benefits</h3> <ul> <li>$3,498 per week gross pay package</li> <li>24-week contract with rolling start dates available</li> <li>48/48 schedule — 48 hours on, 48 hours off — maximizing time away from assignment</li> <li>Choice of 12-hour day or night shifts</li> <li>Comprehensive benefits package included with assignment</li> <li>Personalized onboarding support for a smooth transition into the assignment</li> <li>Dedicated recruiter advocacy and consistent communication throughout the contract</li> </ul>
<h3>Practice Highlights</h3> <ul> <li>Adult inpatient psychiatric unit within a state psychiatric hospital — a structured, high-acuity behavioral health environment</li> <li>48/48 shift pattern: 12-hour days or nights, offering a concentrated schedule with extended recovery time between blocks</li> <li>High-acuity patient population requiring strong behavioral crisis stabilization, medication management, and therapeutic communication skills</li> <li>Security-supported environment with expectation of clinical autonomy and independent nursing judgment</li> <li>Interdisciplinary team model — nurses work collaboratively across psychiatry, social work, pharmacy, and behavioral health support staff</li> <li>CPI and de-escalation techniques are core daily competencies in this setting</li> <li>24-week contract length provides resume-building depth in adult inpatient psychiatry</li> </ul>
<h3>Qualifications</h3> <ul> <li>Active Colorado RN license or valid compact nursing license</li> <li>Minimum of 1 year of recent acute psychiatric nursing experience required; 2 or more years in inpatient psychiatric settings preferred</li> <li>BLS certification through the American Heart Association (AHA)</li> <li>Demonstrated CPI or equivalent de-escalation training and proficiency</li> <li>Comfort managing high-acuity behavioral health patients with clinical autonomy in a security-supported setting</li> <li>Experience in behavioral crisis stabilization and psychiatric medication management preferred</li> <li>Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred</li> <li>Must be willing to undergo a background check in accordance with Colorado state law</li> <li>Flexibility to begin on rolling assignment start dates</li> </ul>
<h3>About the Community</h3> <p>Pueblo sits along the Arkansas River in southern Colorado, roughly 45 minutes south of Colorado Springs and about 100 miles from Denver — close enough to access major-city amenities while enjoying a significantly lower cost of living. The region offers year-round outdoor recreation including hiking, cycling along the Arkansas Riverwalk, and easy access to the Rocky Mountains, Lake Pueblo State Park, and the San Isabel National Forest. Pueblo's warm, sunny climate and affordable housing make it a practical and appealing base for travel clinicians looking to stretch their earnings while exploring one of Colorado's most underrated corners.</p>