Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health
You'll care for inpatient adults with mental or behavioral health issues on the BHU and 4A units.
- Shift and hours
- Nights, 1900 to 0730 Shift: 1900-0730
- Unit and setting
- BHU and 4A inpatient units Patients in these units may be depressed, schizophrenic, or struggle with substance abuse or a mood disorder.Adults with depression, schizophrenia, substance use or mood disorders
- License
- RN license Registered Nurse License - Current Maryland license or eligibility to obtain Maryland licenseCurrent Maryland RN license, or eligibility to obtain one
- Term
- Per Diem
Do you qualify?
- New grads
- Welcomed Experience: Required: Less than one year
- License
- Current Maryland RN license, or eligibility to obtain one Registered Nurse License - Current Maryland license or eligibility to obtain Maryland license Check your license
- Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS) required Basic Life Support
- Education
- Nursing degree required Nursing Degree
- Experience
- Less than one year of experience required Less than one year
- Also asks
- Positive, outgoing, with strong organizational and leadership skills Staff members in these areas must be positive and outgoing and must utilize strong organizational and leadership skills to assess patient status.
Your six-month RN application plan
Start about six months before graduation. Some programs open earlier; use each employer’s application dates.
6 months before
Shortlist units
Check application windows. Gather clinical experience, references and your expected graduation date.
Find residencies4–6 months before
Apply as windows open
Apply before graduation when the program allows it. Keep the cohort date and license deadline with each application.
Explore new grad jobs2–3 months before
Meet the unit manager
Ask about overtime, a shadow shift, preceptor continuity and the schedule after orientation.
Prepare your questionsAround graduation
Confirm your start
Coordinate NCLEX, the required license and your start date. Get relocation and repayment terms in writing.
Plan your license
Why start this early?
Advocate describes a 6–9 month application runway for several regional RN programs. These milestones are a planning guide, not deadlines for every employer. See program calendars.
What it pays
- Against similar roles
- In range for Maryland PRN rolesMaryland PRN postings that state pay run $32/hr to $60/hr, the middle half $40/hr to $53/hr, across 144 postings.
- Tuition assistance
- Tuition reimbursement toward advanced degrees and specialty certifications
Benefits
- BenefitsMedical, dental and vision starting the first of the month after hireMedical, dental, and vision coverage starting the first of the month after hire, plus wellness programs and mental health support
- Benefits403(b) with employer match, pension, life and disability insurance403(b) retirement plan with employer match, pension, and life and disability insurance
- BenefitsTuition reimbursement for advanced degrees and specialty certificationsTuition reimbursement toward advanced degrees and specialty certifications
- BenefitsPaid time off, fitness discounts and free on-site parkingGenerous paid time off, fitness discounts, and free on-site parking
- Medical coverage
- Dental coverage
More benefits (11)
- Vision coverage
- Wellness programs
- Mental health support
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
- Pension
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Fitness discounts
- Free on-site parking
The role and schedule
- Unit
- ER North Pod or West Pod, 6 beds each staff may work in one of two 6-bed areas of the ER, referred to as North Pod and West Pod
- Patients
- Adults, adolescents and children in acute psychiatric crisis in the ER pods which can house adults, adolescents, or children, in acute psychiatric crisis
- Cross-training
- Majority of nursing staff cross-train across BHU, 4A and the ER pods The majority of nursing staff in this area cross train to all three areas.
- Unit size
- 4A unit: 12 beds The 4A unit has a capacity of 12beds
- Unit size
- BHU census capacity: 23 beds the BHU census capacity is 23 beds
- Hours stated
- Shift: 1900-0730
The workplace
- Parking
- free on-site parking
Worth asking
- Can you walk me through the pay period for the posted pay range and differentials?
- What should I expect for weekly hours, weekend, holiday, call, and rotation?
More questions to askFewer questions
- What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
- How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
Ask Mira
Your fit
On your path
Psychiatric is open from year one. Behavioral health spans inpatient, emergency, and community settings.
Original listing
Read full text
- Facility: Northwest Hospital Center
- Department/Specialty: Behavioral Health
- City: Randallstown
- Employment Type: Per Diem
- Shift: 1900-0730
- Date Posted: October 14, 2026
Behavioral Health and 4A provide general, acute care for inpatient adults who may be suffering from mental or behavioral health issues. The 4A unit has a capacity of 12beds, while the BHU census capacity is 23 beds. Patients in these units may be depressed, schizophrenic, or struggle with substance abuse or a mood disorder.
In addition to the BHU and 4A, staff may work in one of two 6-bed areas of the ER, referred to as North Pod and West Pod, which can house adults, adolescents, or children, in acute psychiatric crisis. The majority of nursing staff in this area cross train to all three areas. Staff members in these areas must be positive and outgoing and must utilize strong organizational and leadership skills to assess patient status.
Summary
The Registered Nurse (RN) is a member of the Patient Care Services. The RN has responsibility and accountability for the provision of nursing care. The RN manages care for patients and their families through the application of the nursing process utilizing independent judgment, collaboration and communication with all team members including ancillary, multidisciplinary care, and support services.
The RN develops a plan of nursing care and utilizes established clinical pathways & protocols which are implemented by the care delivery team. The RN provides and delegates patient care activities based upon patient needs and team skills/abilities and supervises the delivery of care by team. The RN evaluates patient response to treatment and nursing interventions and revises the plan of care, as needed, the RN monitors patient progress and prepares patient for discharge.
Experience
Required
- Less than one year
Education
Required
- Nursing Degree
Licensures & Certifications
Required
- Registered Nurse License - Current Maryland license or eligibility to obtain Maryland license
- Basic Life Support
Pay Range: $50.00 to $52.50
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting the first of the month after hire, plus wellness programs and mental health support
403(b) retirement plan with employer match, pension, and life and disability insurance
Tuition reimbursement toward advanced degrees and specialty certifications
Generous paid time off, fitness discounts, and free on-site parking
About Northwest Hospital
Northwest Hospital is a full-service community hospital in Baltimore County serving Randallstown, Pikesville, Owings Mills, and beyond. As part of LifeBridge Health - one of the region's most comprehensive healthcare systems - Northwest delivers compassionate, high-quality care close to home, with a mission to improve the health of the communities we serve, and to take care of the people who take care of patients.
About LifeBridge Health
LifeBridge Health is a dynamic, purpose-driven health system redefining care delivery across the mid-Atlantic and beyond, anchored by our mission to "improve the health of people in the communities we serve." Join us to advance health access, elevate patient experiences, and contribute to a system that values bold ideas and community-centered care.
With over 14,000 employees, 130 care locations, and two million annual patient encounters, we combine strategic growth, innovation, and deep community commitment to deliver exceptional care anchored by five leading centers in Maryland.
Our organization thrives on a culture of CARE BRAVELY-where compassion, courage, and urgency drive every decision, empowering teams to shape the future of healthcare.
LifeBridge Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. LifeBridge Health does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
What's around it?
Randallstown, MD
Living costs about 5% above the US average