<p>Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California is recruiting a per diem Registered Nurse for its Medical-Surgical ICU. This is a rotating-shift, per diem position embedded within the Desert Care Network — a three-hospital system serving the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin that includes a Level 1 Trauma Center, a comprehensive stroke program, a cancer center, and the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley. Nurses here carry a two-patient critical care assignment and work within a high-acuity environment that demands independent clinical judgment, hemodynamic expertise, and strong interdisciplinary communication.</p>
<h3>Perks and Benefits</h3> <ul> <li>Per diem employment with rotating shift scheduling</li> <li>Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance (eligibility determined by employment status)</li> <li>401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match</li> <li>Generous paid time off</li> <li>Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)</li> <li>Career development and continuing education opportunities</li> <li>Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program</li> <li>Voluntary benefits: pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, auto and home insurance</li> </ul>
<h3>Practice Highlights</h3> <ul> <li>Per diem ICU RN role with rotating shifts; schedule adapts to unit census and staffing needs</li> <li>Independent management of two critically ill patients per assignment</li> <li>Full critical care scope: vasoactive drips, sedation management, multi-drip titration, and ventilator management including alarm interpretation and parameter adjustment</li> <li>Hemodynamic monitoring responsibilities including Swan-Ganz catheter readings, blood pressure correlation, and urine output assessment</li> <li>Bedside procedural assistance including arterial line placement support</li> <li>Medication administration including IV medications, blood, and blood products with ongoing MAR verification</li> <li>Charge nurse responsibilities assigned as needed</li> <li>Preceptor and resource role for co-workers, students, and float personnel</li> <li>Active participation in the unit Quality Improvement Program</li> <li>Part of Desert Care Network — a regional system with Level 1 Trauma, comprehensive stroke care, oncology services, and Level 3 NICU across three campuses (Palm Springs, Indio, Joshua Tree)</li> </ul>
<h3>Qualifications</h3> <ul> <li>Current California Registered Nurse license required</li> <li>Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program</li> <li>Current American Heart Association BLS certification — must remain current at all times</li> <li>Current American Heart Association ACLS certification — must remain current at all times</li> <li>Minimum of one year of ICU experience required</li> <li>Must successfully complete EKG competency test within the first 30 days of hire</li> <li>Must complete NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification within the first 30 days of hire</li> <li>Must comply with Respiratory Fit Testing Protection Policy</li> </ul>
<h3>About the Community</h3> <p>Palm Springs sits at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains in the Coachella Valley — a desert resort community known for its year-round sunshine, mid-century modern architecture, world-class golf, and vibrant arts and dining scene. The region offers an exceptionally low cost of living relative to coastal Southern California, with Los Angeles and San Diego both reachable within two hours. Outdoor enthusiasts have immediate access to Joshua Tree National Park, the Salton Sea, and extensive hiking and cycling trails, making the Coachella Valley a compelling destination for clinicians who want a high quality of life alongside serious critical care practice.</p>