Travel RN - Psychiatric

Assignment Overview

• Shift: Nights, 3x12hrs
• Hours: 36 hrs/wk
• Start Date: Apr 15, 2026
• Length: 13 weeks
• Openings: 2

Description

American Traveler is seeking an experienced Psychiatric RN for a 13-week night shift contract in an acute care adolescent/adult CPEP unit, requiring at least 1 year of psych experience and a NY RN license.

Details

• Works in a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) serving both adult and adolescent psychiatric populations
• Unit has 40 total beds: 30 adult beds and 20 child/adolescent beds; nurses cover both areas
• One section is designated to triage and fast-track patients
• Common diagnoses include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety, depression, and trauma; patients typically have multiple comorbidities but are medically stable
• Volume averages 15–45 patients per day
• Nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:6–12 depending on acuity; typical staffing includes 2 triage RNs, 4 adult RNs, 1 pediatric/adolescent RN, and 1 charge RN — travelers are not typically assigned charge
• Medications administered include IM injections and PO medications; psychotropics such as Haldol, Zyprexa, and Ativan — no IV administration
• Psychiatric physician coverage includes 3 physicians on days, 1 physician and 1 resident on nights, plus 1 medical physician per shift
• PCTs assist with phlebotomy, 12-lead EKGs, 1:1 observation, transport, ADLs, contraband searches, and property inventory
• RT is available 24/7 and handles breathing treatments and respiratory escalation; equipment includes vents, CPAP, BiPAP, and high flow
• Portable cardiac monitoring is available for code situations; RNs are expected to identify major, life-threatening, and changing rhythms
• X-ray and CT are available in the main ER; PCTs handle patient transport
• EMR: Allscripts
• 12-hour night shifts
• Every other weekend required
• May be included in the holiday rotation
• No on-call or standby requirement
• Travelers are first to float; float assignments may include inpatient adolescent or adult psych, LRC, CPEP, and detox units

Requirements

• Active NY RN license required
• Current certifications required: BLS (AHA), ACLS, and PALS
• One behavioral management certification required prior to start: Handle with Care, TRUST Training, CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute), PMCS (Preventing and Managing Crisis Situations), or MOAB (Management of Aggressive Behavior)
• Minimum 1 year of psychiatric nursing experience required
• De-escalation experience and experience with restraint use preferred
• Some medical experience (MS, MS-Tele, PCU, or ICU) preferred; prior ED experience is not required
• Ability to identify major cardiac rhythms, life-threatening rhythms, and rhythm changes

Additional Information

• Provides nursing care to adult and adolescent patients experiencing acute psychiatric crises, including assessment, medication administration, and early intervention
• Early recognition of patient crisis and de-escalation are central to daily practice; staying calm, patient, and engaged with the population is essential
• In-house security is available 24/7
• Medically unstable patients are transferred out of the unit
• Several days of unit-specific floor orientation are provided
• Travelers are treated as permanent staff and are expected to be reliable and supportive of unit needs
• Scheduling is based on unit needs to fill gaps in permanent staff coverage; block scheduling is not permitted
• Per diem or second jobs are discouraged; this position is expected to be the traveler's primary job — per diem positions will be evaluated case by case, but the facility will not accommodate scheduling around a per diem role
• All RTO requests must be submitted for consideration prior to contract start; requests made after the start date will not be considered
• First-time travelers are not eligible for this position
• Royal blue scrubs required