Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital in Tucson, Arizona is recruiting a PRN Registered Nurse to serve as Charge Nurse on the Orthopedics unit. This is a shift-leadership role at a full-service acute care hospital that is home to the Carondelet Joint Replacement Center — making it a natural fit for an RN with orthopedic or surgical nursing experience who wants to step into unit coordination without leaving the bedside entirely. The hospital has operated since 1961 and carries a strong regional reputation anchored by a Level I Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, and dedicated orthopedic program.
Perks and Benefits
- PRN (per diem) employment status — flexible scheduling that fits around existing commitments
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance (eligibility determined by employment status and location)
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Career development and continuing education opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits: pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, auto and home insurance
Practice Highlights
- Orthopedics unit at a hospital anchored by the Carondelet Joint Replacement Center — high volume of joint replacement and orthopedic surgical patients
- Charge Nurse role: coordinates all unit activities, staffing assignments, patient throughput, and shift operations in the absence of the nurse manager or director
- Evaluates staffing mix against patient volumes, acuity, and anticipated admissions each shift
- Serves as unit champion for quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and service recovery efforts
- Functions as preceptor and mentor for nursing staff; supports personal and professional development through role modeling and coaching
- Represents the unit or nursing department on committees and task forces as assigned
- On non-charge shifts, takes a direct patient care assignment or serves in a preceptor or other unit-support role
- Full-service acute care campus: Level I Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, labor and delivery, cardiology, emergency medicine, and orthopedics service lines
- Hospital established 1961; part of the Carondelet Health Network serving the greater Tucson region
Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing required; BSN preferred
- Minimum of one year of clinical experience in an RN role required
- Valid, current Arizona RN license required
- Specialty certification through ANCC or an approved credentialing body required within three years of hire (e.g., orthopedic nursing certification or equivalent)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) — American Heart Association required
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) — American Heart Association required
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) — American Heart Association required
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification required
- NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification required; additional department-specific certifications may apply
About the Community
Tucson is Arizona's second-largest city, situated in the Sonoran Desert at roughly 2,400 feet elevation and surrounded by five mountain ranges — offering year-round outdoor recreation including hiking, cycling, and climbing within minutes of the city. The metro area combines a low cost of living relative to other major Southwest cities with a vibrant arts and food scene, the University of Arizona, and easy access to both Phoenix and the Mexican border. Mild winters, abundant sunshine, and a strong sense of regional identity make Tucson a compelling destination for clinicians seeking an active lifestyle without sacrificing urban amenities.