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Great River Health

Regional health system operating hospitals, clinics

Registered Nurse - Medical Surgical Unit

Part-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$35.79/hr+ $10,000 sign-on bonus
Mid
Bachelor's, Associate's
Fort Madison, IA, USA
In PersonScheduled 6:00 p.m.–6:30 a.m.; every other weekend.
Medical, Clinical & VeterinaryNursing & Frontline Patient Care

About the job

Requirements
  • An Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) is required.
  • A Bachelor of Arts/Sciences degree in nursing or another related field is preferred.
  • Knowledge of English grammar, word meanings, spelling, and composition.
  • Knowledge of diagnosing and treating injuries, diseases, and deformities, including symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • Knowledge of customer and personal services, including assessing customer needs, meeting service quality standards, and evaluating customer satisfaction.
  • Knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual differences, learning and motivation, psychological research methods, and assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Knowledge of methods and procedures for diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating physical and mental dysfunctions.
  • Basic math skills to calculate medication doses.
  • Ability to recognize and understand others' reactions and adjust actions accordingly.
  • Ability to listen attentively, understand spoken information, ask questions appropriately, and avoid interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Ability to communicate information effectively in conversation and understand written work-related documents.
  • Ability to use logic and reasoning to assess alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Ability to identify when something is wrong or likely to go wrong, recognize relationships among information, and draw general conclusions.
  • Ability to maintain steady hand and arm movements and arrange actions in a prescribed sequence or pattern.
  • Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association within 60 days is required.
  • Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter certification from the Iowa Department of Human Services within 180 days is required.
  • Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporter certification from the Iowa Department of Human Services within 180 days is required.
  • Registered Nurse licensure from the Iowa Board of Nursing is required.
  • MOAB is required within one year of hire for inpatient units.
  • For acute care, telemetry, and medical-surgical care: knowledge and ability to care for geriatric and adult patients, monitor and interpret cardiac rhythms, administer prescribed medications and treatments including IV medications and non-titrating drips, care for pre- and post-surgical patients and chronic tracheostomy patients on baseline settings, manage wound vacs, work with providers and family members, and report patient results.
  • Basic Dysrhythmia certification is required within six months of hire.
  • ACLS certification is required within one year of hire.
Responsibilities
  • Deliver patient care using the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation in coordination with other health team members.
  • Perform bedside shift reports at the beginning and end of shifts.
  • Use policies and procedures to protect patients from falls and assist with wound prevention and prevention of hospital-acquired pressure injuries.
  • Obtain comprehensive admission histories and perform physical assessments; distinguish normal from abnormal findings, prioritize abnormal findings, and initiate appropriate responses.
  • Anticipate actual or potential problems and health concerns in hospital or home settings, and recognize and document subtle changes in patients' physical and mental status.
  • Conduct ongoing assessments of patients' psychosocial, physiological, and educational needs in accordance with unit policy, and integrate diagnostic information into assessments and care.
  • Assess patients' and significant others' learning and discharge needs.
  • Integrate assessment data and formulate nursing diagnoses in accordance with policies and procedures.
  • Create and update individualized plans of care, including discharge planning, based on standards, policies, ongoing assessments, and changes in patient status; anticipate and manage changing situations.
  • Administer prescribed treatments and medications promptly in accordance with hospital policies and procedures; question and clarify unsafe, incorrect, or inadequate orders.
  • Teach patients information needed to attain an optimal level of self-care and evaluate their response to care and comprehension of education.
  • Document all aspects of the nursing process clearly, concisely, legibly, and promptly in PCS or other appropriate hospital forms, using accepted medical terminology and abbreviations.
  • Involve patients and significant others in the nursing process, advocate for patients, and respect patient rights and confidentiality.
  • Communicate information clearly, address ethical concerns within applicable guidelines, and inform patients and significant others about delays or wait times.
  • Use critical thinking and sound judgment to prioritize care and respond appropriately to emergency and complex patient-care situations.
  • Use and troubleshoot appropriate equipment in accordance with unit and organizational policies.
  • Assess and monitor patient condition, document findings, and communicate results to physicians as appropriate.
  • Document patient care in medical records in accordance with documentation standards.
  • Administer prescribed medications, IV fluids, and enteral feedings using the six rights of medication administration; monitor effectiveness and address patient needs.
  • Answer patient calls and provide assistance or determine the appropriate assistance.
  • Assemble equipment, perform procedures and treatments, and assist medical staff with patient procedures.
  • Provide basic patient care and treatments, including dressing wounds, preventing and treating pressure ulcers, and performing catheterizations.
  • Prepare patients for examinations, tests, and treatments, and explain procedures.
  • Collect blood, urine, and sputum samples; perform routine laboratory tests such as blood glucose monitoring or send appropriately labeled specimens to the laboratory.
  • Evaluate nursing intervention outcomes and confer with other health care team members as needed.
  • Monitor patients' medication use and results and ensure responsible use of medical and pharmaceutical supplies.
  • Assist patients with bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, moving in bed, standing, and walking.
  • Measure and record vital signs, including height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oxygen saturation, and pain.
  • Provide patient and family education; assess resources to plan and coordinate patient care.
  • Collaborate with the health care team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care, implement interventions, and participate in treatment conferences about difficult cases.
  • Participate in performance improvement, quality assurance, and quality monitoring activities.
  • Delegate aspects of care to certified nursing assistants, patient service associates, and licensed practical nurses, and oversee completion of delegated functions.
  • Mentor new employees and students.
  • Follow safety and evidence-based practices, including use of infection-control devices, lifts, gait belts, eye shields, and gloves.
  • Prioritize assigned patient-care needs and coordinate and oversee nursing care for assigned patients.

About the company

Great River Health operates a regional health care system serving southeast Iowa, parts of Illinois and Missouri, with hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, medical equipment, and rehabilitation services. It delivers coordinated care through hospitals and clinics, offering primary, specialty, urgent, and convenient care, plus therapy and home health within the same system. It combines hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and supplies across a large geographic area to enable smooth patient transitions and a consistent care experience under one umbrella. Its goal is to provide high-quality, accessible health care close to home.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

West Burlington, Iowa

Founded

1895

Get referred to Great River Health

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Alexander’s permanent CEO appointment on September 14, 2026, reduces interim leadership uncertainty.
  • The new West Burlington mental health therapy clinic opened June 8, 2026, expanding access and referrals.
  • The October 8, 2026 career-exploration event supports recruiting for nursing, radiology, and respiratory therapy.

What critics are saying

  • Great River Health ends Fort Madison inpatient labor and delivery by December 31, 2026, shrinking community trust.
  • McCoy resigned July 23, 2026, and leadership continuity now depends on Alexander’s dual CEO-CFO load.
  • Epic’s $35 million rollout temporarily pressures cash, execution, and charge-capture timelines through 2027.

What makes Great River Health unique

  • Great River Health runs southeast Iowa’s integrated hospital-clinic network across Burlington, Fort Madison, and Mount Pleasant.
  • Jeremy Alexander led Epic transition planning, signaling operational discipline and tighter revenue-cycle control.
  • The June 2026 MyChart launch improves patient retention, scheduling, and cross-system record access.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
  • Paid Time Off
  • Education Assistance Program
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Referral Bonus Program
  • Discounted cafeteria meals
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Disability Insurance
  • Life Insurance

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

10%

1 year growth

10%

2 year growth

10%
KILJ
Sep 14th, 2026
Jeremy Alexander named permanent President and CEO Great River Health.

Jeremy Alexander named permanent President and CEO Great River Health. By Allison Jacobs · Monday, September 14th, 2026 at 1:27 pm CDT Great River Health has named Jeremy Alexander as its new permanent President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Alexander has served as interim CEO since July 23, when Dr. Michael McCoy resigned from the position for personal reasons. Alexander has also continued serving as the health system's Chief Financial Officer during that time. Alexander has been a member of the Great River Health executive team since 2018 and has played a role in several major changes across the health system. Those include the merger with Fort Madison Community Hospital, the unification of the hospitals under Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, and the long-term lease agreement that brought Henry County Health Center into the Great River Health system. Alexander has also served as executive sponsor of the health system's Epic implementation project. Great River Health Board Chairperson John McKillip said the board conducted a comprehensive review of internal candidates before selecting Alexander. McKillip said the board is looking to Alexander to build on the health system's past successes while identifying opportunities for growth and long-term financial stability. Alexander was born and raised in southeast Iowa and said being selected as CEO is a privilege that comes with a responsibility to protect not only the health of area residents, but the communities Great River Health serves. Alexander takes over the President and CEO position effective immediately.

Great River Health
Aug 31st, 2026
Great River Health holds Career Exploration Event.

Great River Health holds Career Exploration Event. Monday, August 31, 2026 Great River Health will host its 3rd Annual Career Exploration Event on Thursday, October 8, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free event held in the Mercy Plaza Lobby at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington. The event is designed to introduce students and community members to the wide variety of career opportunities available in healthcare. "The Career Exploration Event is a unique opportunity for students, job seekers, and community members to explore the many rewarding career paths available in healthcare. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with professionals from a variety of departments, including Radiology, Nursing, Laboratory, Respiratory Therapy, and many others. Participants can also learn about educational pathways through our event partner, Southeastern Community College, and gain firsthand insight into what it's like to work in a healthcare environment," explained Nicole Panther-Rump, Great River Health Manager - Talent Management. "Whether someone is interested in direct patient care or non-clinical career opportunities, this event provides valuable exposure to the diverse roles that contribute to the health and well-being of our communities. We are excited to inspire future healthcare professionals, showcase the scope of opportunities within healthcare, and connect individuals with meaningful and fulfilling career possibilities." Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with Great River Health departments, ask questions, explore career paths, and connect with educational resources. Representatives from Southeastern Community College and IowaWORKS will also be present with information tables located near the Human Resources booth.

Great River Health
Aug 31st, 2026
Great River Health offers new four-week nutrition education series.

Great River Health offers new four-week nutrition education series. Monday, August 31, 2026 Great River Health is launching Nutrition 101: A Dietitian's 4-Week Essentials Course, a new program designed to help participants build healthy eating habits, better understand nutrition, and gain confidence in making everyday food choices. The four-week series will be held Tuesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. September 29 through October 20 in the Falcon Room at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington. Classes will be led by a registered dietitian and combine practical nutrition education with real-world strategies for healthy living. A registered dietitian will teach participants how to create balanced meals, understand calories and protein needs, read nutrition labels, navigate dining out, manage common nutrition challenges, and develop sustainable habits that support long-term wellness. The course concludes with a hands-on cooking experience featuring meal preparation techniques and healthy recipe ideas. This course provides realistic, evidence-based guidance that participants can apply immediately, regardless of where they are in their health journey. Topics include: * Nutrition foundations and simple meal planning. * Understanding your nutrition needs. * Real-life nutrition challenges. * Practical cooking and meal assembly. The program is open to community members. Cost is $150 for non-members and $100 for Fitness Center members. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants.

KILJ
Jun 9th, 2026
New Mental Health Therapy Clinic opens in West Burlington.

New Mental Health Therapy Clinic opens in West Burlington. By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 at 9:11 am CDT Residents seeking mental health services in southeast Iowa now have a new dedicated location for therapy and counseling care. Great River Health has announced the opening of the Great River Mental Health Therapy Clinic at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. The clinic officially opened Monday, June 8, and serves as the new home for mental health therapists who previously saw patients through the Mental Health Clinic at the West Burlington campus. The clinic is staffed by a team of licensed mental health professionals. Providers offer a variety of services aimed at helping patients better understand and manage their thoughts, feelings and behaviors, while also assisting with the assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions. Hospital representatives say the creation of the new clinic provides a dedicated space specifically designed for therapy services and patient care. The clinic is located in Suite 309 of Eastman Plaza on the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center campus in West Burlington. Great River Health noted that the new facility is not considered a hospital-based outpatient clinic. Patients can schedule appointments or obtain additional information by calling 319-768-1370.

KILJ
Jun 8th, 2026
Great River Health launches new MyChart patient portal.

Great River Health launches new MyChart patient portal. By Allison Jacobs · Monday, June 8th, 2026 at 6:21 am CDT Great River Health has launched a new online patient portal designed to give patients easier access to their healthcare information and services. The health system announced Saturday that patients can now enroll in MyChart, a secure online platform that provides 24-hour access to medical records, test results, appointment scheduling, prescription refill requests, and direct communication with healthcare providers. Dr. Michael McCoy, President and CEO of Great River Health, says the portal is an important step in helping patients become more informed and engaged in their care. He says greater access to health information supports the organization's goal of delivering high-quality, patient-centered healthcare. MyChart also allows patients to pay bills online, review account statements, manage care for family members through proxy access, and connect records from other healthcare systems in one centralized location. According to Great River Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Ryon, improved communication between patients and providers can lead to better understanding, stronger relationships, and improved health outcomes. The MyChart platform is available through both a website and mobile app, allowing patients to access their healthcare information from virtually anywhere. Patients can sign up online or receive assistance enrolling during their next visit. Additional information, tutorials, and enrollment resources are available through Great River Health's MyChart webpage. Great River Health serves communities throughout southeast Iowa and emphasizes a patient-centered approach to healthcare through its network of providers and services.