Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California is recruiting an experienced Emergency Department Registered Nurse for a per diem, day-shift position within one of the Coachella Valley's most comprehensive acute care networks. Desert Regional anchors a three-hospital system that includes a verified Level 1 Trauma Center, a comprehensive stroke program, a cancer center, and the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley — giving ED nurses exposure to high-acuity, regionally significant cases. This is a strong per diem opportunity for an ED-seasoned RN who wants flexibility without sacrificing clinical depth or institutional support.
Perks and Benefits
- Per diem employment with day-shift scheduling
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance (eligibility based on employment status)
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Continuing education and career development opportunities; CEU participation tracked and supported
- 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
- Emergency Department within a Level 1 Trauma Center — full-spectrum acuity including trauma, medical, and surgical emergencies
- Part of Desert Care Network, a three-hospital regional system serving the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin in Southern California
- Network-level advanced services include comprehensive stroke care, oncology, and the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley
- RN assumes principal responsibility for total nursing care: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation for each assigned patient
- Acuity-based triage and caseload management per ED protocol; charge nurse responsibilities assigned as needed
- Interdisciplinary team model — RN serves as liaison between patients, physicians, families, LVNs, and unlicensed assistive personnel
- Medication administration including IV therapy, blood, and blood products per physician orders and MAR verification
- Preceptor and resource responsibilities for co-workers and float staff
- Active participation in Quality Improvement Program and departmental policy compliance
- Patient and family education including individualized discharge instruction development and documentation
Qualifications
- Current California Registered Nurse (RN) license — active and in good standing
- Minimum one year of current Emergency Department or Emergency/Trauma environment experience required
- Current American Heart Association BLS certification (must remain current at all times)
- Current American Heart Association ACLS certification (must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained)
- Current American Heart Association PALS certification (must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained)
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing patient needs, and function effectively in high-acuity settings
- MICN (Mobile Intensive Care Nurse) and TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) certifications preferred
About the Community
Palm Springs sits in the heart of the Coachella Valley in Southern California's Inland Desert — a region known for year-round sunshine, world-class golf, vibrant arts and dining, and easy access to Joshua Tree National Park, the San Jacinto Mountains, and the broader greater Los Angeles metro roughly two hours to the west. The area offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to coastal Southern California, a strong sense of community, and an outdoor lifestyle that draws clinicians seeking warmth, recreation, and a distinctive desert aesthetic. The Coachella Valley's growing population and expanding healthcare infrastructure make this a professionally dynamic market for experienced ED nurses.