RN Per Diem Registered Nurse - Ortho PCU -Nights

Overview

UC San Diego Health is a Magnet designated organization, a prestigious recognition awarded to only a subset of U.S. hospitals. Magnet status is the “gold standard” for nursing excellence and reflects strengths in leadership, empowerment, professional practice, knowledge, innovation, and outcomes. UC San Diego Health has held Magnet status since 2011.

This is a per-diem RN position on an Orthopedic Progressive Care Unit (PCU). Ideal candidates have experience in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care Unit (CCU), Step-down ICU, or Intermediate Care Unit (IMU). Autonomous nursing care means assessing and providing nursing actions based on competence and knowledge, practiced within ANA standards and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

Pay: $91.16 per hour.

Location:

Jacobs Medical Center.

Schedule:

Nights, 12-hour shifts. Appointment type:
Per Diem. Appointment percent: 20%. Total openings:
4. Initial review date:
Thu 02/05/2026.

Applications:
Apply Now.

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in joining our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and have most of the qualifications and transferable skills for this job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Definitions and notices related to layoff, reassignment, and internal applicant consideration are addressed in the original posting and guidelines.

• Provide autonomous nursing care consistent with ANA Standards of Practice and Professional Performance.
• Assess patients on the Orthopedic PCU and implement nursing actions appropriate to patient care populations.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to deliver patient-centered care in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate critical thinking to identify and intervene in evolving patient conditions and evaluate outcomes.
• Communicate effectively with all disciplines, including technologists, physicians, and advanced practice providers, both verbally and in writing.

• Graduate from an accredited school of Nursing.
• RN License issued by the State of California.
• BLS/CPR and ACLS certifications at time of hire, with commitment to obtain ART within six (6) months of hire date.
• Minimum one (1) year acute care RN experience in ICU, PCU, or IMU.
• Solid understanding of nursing-sensitive indicators relevant to ICU/PCU/IMU and ability to translate into practice to promote quality and safety.
• Demonstrates critical thinking and clinical skills to manage complex patient conditions in a step-down setting.
• Ability to handle unexpected challenges with a patient-centered approach.
• Fast-paced environment tolerance, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and empathy.
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively with all staff disciplines, including technologists, physicians, and providers, both verbally and in writing.

• BSN.
• Ortho certification.
• Previous PCU RN experience or PCU training.
• Orthopedics experience.

• Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, on-call, and multiple locations based on the 24-hour Medical Center’s business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Annual Full Pay Range: $190,342 - $190,342 (will be prorated if appointment percentage is less than 100%).

Hourly Equivalent: $91.16 - $91.16. The compensation may vary based on experience, skills, licensure, and organizational needs. The posted Hiring Pay Scale represents the budgeted salary or hourly range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

If employed by the University of California, you may be required to comply with vaccination programs and other public health directives. Some life-support certifications must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, with multiple facilities and clinics. Applications/resumes are accepted for current openings only and must be received prior to the initial closing date unless extended. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for all staff and visitors.

Equal Opportunity

Employer:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected status. For anti-discrimination information, see UC policy. UC San Diego is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment, and marijuana/drug-free workplace policies may apply. Misconduct disclosure requirements apply to final candidates.