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Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health Unit

Sentara Health logo

Sentara Health

Norfolk, Virginia

The Registered Nursing (RN) is responsible to perform a competent level of nursing care as demonstrated by the critical thinking model known as the nursing process.

Posted Oct 10 · New grads welcomed

Shift and hours
Nights (third shift) Third (Nights)
Unit and setting
Behavioral Health Unit · Behavioral Health
License
RN licenseVirginia or Compact Multi-State License in good standing
Term
Permanent

Do you qualify?

New grads
Welcomed For many of our Registered Nurse roles, we welcome new graduate applicants.
License
Virginia or Compact Multi-State License in good standing Check your license
Certification
Basic Life Support Certification
Education
RN diploma, ASN, BSN or MSN from an accredited school RN-Diploma, ASN, BSN or MSN from an accredited school (Required)
Your six-month RN application plan

Start about six months before graduation. Some programs open earlier; use each employer’s application dates.

  1. 6 months before

    Shortlist units

    Check application windows. Gather clinical experience, references and your expected graduation date.

    Find residencies
  2. 4–6 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 jobs
  3. 2–3 months before

    Meet the unit manager

    Ask about overtime, a shadow shift, preceptor continuity and the schedule after orientation.

    Prepare your questions
  4. Around 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
Below most Norfolk staff RN postingsNorfolk staff RN postings that state pay run $36/hr to $42/hr, the middle half $42/hr to $42/hr, across 137 postings.
Also stated
$42/hr
Loan repayment
Offered
Extra pay
shift differentials, standby/on-call pay, overtime, shift premiums Additional compensation may be available for this role, such as shift differentials, standby/on-call pay, overtime, shift premiums, extra-shift incentives, or bonus opportunities.
Bonus
annual discretionary bonus Colleagues have the opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus if established system and employee eligibility criteria is met.if established system and employee eligibility criteria is met
Pay reviews
pay within range varies by qualifications, experience, location, market conditions, and business needs Compensation within the range may vary based on qualifications, experience, location, market conditions, and business needs.
Pay reviews
new-graduate starting rate $36.00/hour We're excited to share our starting pay rate for new graduate registered nurses with less than 1 year of experience is $36.00/hour.new graduate registered nurses with less than 1 year of experience

Benefits

  • BenefitsMedical, Dental, Vision plansMedical, Dental, Vision plans
  • BenefitsAdoption, Fertility and Surrogacy Reimbursement up to $10,000Adoption, Fertility and Surrogacy Reimbursement up to $10,000
  • BenefitsPaid Time Off and Sick LeavePaid Time Off and Sick Leave
  • BenefitsPaid Parental & Family Caregiver LeavePaid Parental & Family Caregiver Leave
  • BenefitsEmergency Backup CareEmergency Backup Care
  • BenefitsLong-Term, Short-Term Disability, and Critical Illness plansLong-Term, Short-Term Disability, and Critical Illness plans
More benefits (9)
  • BenefitsLife InsuranceLife Insurance
  • Benefits401k/403B with Employer Match401k/403B with Employer Match
  • BenefitsTuition Assistance - $5,250/year and discounted educational opportunities through Guild EducationTuition Assistance - $5,250/year and discounted educational opportunities through Guild Education
  • BenefitsStudent Debt Pay Down - $10,000Student Debt Pay Down - $10,000
  • BenefitsPet InsurancePet Insurance
  • BenefitsLegal Resources PlanLegal Resources Plan
  • Long-Term, Short-Term Disability
  • Tuition Assistance – $5,250/year
  • Student Debt Pay Down – $10,000

The role and schedule

Patients
patients 18 and older in crisis (mental illness, emotional distress, destructive behavior patterns)
Hours stated
Third (Nights)
On call
On-call rotation
Details
525-bed hospital Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, located in Norfolk, VA, is a 525-bed tertiary care facility
Details
tobacco-free environment this is a tobacco-free environment.

The workplace

Sentara Health logo
Sentara Health
Health system employer

Worth asking

  • Can you walk me through base pay range?
  • What should I expect for weekly hours, weekend, holiday, and rotation?
More questions to ask
  • What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
  • How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
Build questions for this role

Your fit

On your path

Psychiatric is open from year one. Behavioral health spans inpatient, emergency, and community settings.

Original listing

Read full text
Work shift
Third (Nights)

Overview

The Registered Nursing (RN) is responsible to perform a competent level of nursing care as demonstrated by the critical thinking model known as the nursing process. The standards of practice (assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning, implementation, coordination of care- teaching and health promotion and evaluation) along with the standards of professional performance (ethics, culturally congruent practice, communication, collaboration, leadership, education, evidence- based practice /nursing research, quality, evaluation, resource utilization, and environmental health) encompass the actions and foundation of professional nursing. The RN possesses clinical knowledge and skills to meet standards as required by specific clinical areas.

Department

Overview

Sentara offers both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services to patients 18 and older who are in crisis due to mental illness, emotional distress, or destructive behavior patterns. Because our treatment facilities are located within local hospitals, patients have access to the full range of both psychiatric and medical care. This is especially helpful for patients experiencing symptoms that are confusing and impact their physical health. Join a team that is committed not only to our patients but also to the personal and professional growth of our staff!

For many of our Registered Nurse roles, we welcome new graduate applicants. We're excited to share our starting pay rate for new graduate registered nurses with less than 1 year of experience is $36.00/hour.

Education

RN-Diploma, ASN, BSN or MSN from an accredited school (Required) BSN or MSN (Preferred)

Certification/Licensure

Virginia or Compact Multi-State License in good standing Basic Life Support Certification

Keywords: RN, Registered Nurse, mental health, psych, BSN, ADN

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, and benefits. The base pay range for full-time employment is $41.93 - $61.01 hourly. Additional compensation may be available for this role, such as

  • shift differentials, standby/on-call pay, overtime, shift premiums, extra-shift incentives, or bonus opportunities. Compensation within the range may vary based on qualifications, experience, location, market conditions, and business needs. Sentara offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; 401(k)/403(b) with employer match; paid time off (vacation, sick time, and holidays); paid parental and military leave; educational assistance or student loan repayment; and voluntary benefits.

Benefits

Caring For Your Family and Your Career

Medical, Dental, Vision plans Adoption, Fertility and Surrogacy Reimbursement up to $10,000 Paid Time Off and Sick Leave Paid Parental & Family Caregiver Leave Emergency Backup Care Long-Term, Short-Term Disability, and Critical Illness plans Life Insurance 401k/403B with Employer Match Tuition Assistance – $5,250/year and discounted educational opportunities through Guild Education Student Debt Pay Down – $10,000 Pet Insurance Legal Resources Plan Colleagues have the opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus if established system and employee eligibility criteria is met.

Here at Sentara, we are committed to consistently enhancing our training, advancement tracks, work-life benefits, and more. Our goal is to make you feel more excited to be here every day!

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, located in Norfolk, VA, is a 525-bed tertiary care facility that is home to the only Level I Adult Trauma Center and burn trauma unit in Hampton Roads, and also serves as the primary teaching hospital for Eastern Virginia Medical School.

In addition to the high-quality heart program at Sentara Heart Hospital, our facility is home to Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance and several other dedicated facilities and specialized services. As a recognized accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center, and Magnet hospital for nursing excellence, our hospital specializes in heart and vascular, neurosciences, neurosurgery, urology, oncology, spine care, advanced imaging, behavioral health, maternity, and women’s health, including a state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit.

Sentara Health is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself on the diversity and inclusiveness of its close to an almost 30,000-member workforce. Diversity, inclusion, and belonging is a guiding principle of the organization to ensure its workforce reflects the communities it serves.

In support of our mission “to improve health every day,” this is a tobacco-free environment.

For positions that are available as remote work, Sentara Health employs associates in the following states:

Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

What's around it?

In Norfolk, VA

Norfolk, VAFrom Census ACS 2024.

Living costs about 2% below the US average

Median rent
$1,321/mo
Household income
$66,109/yr, all local households, not nurse pay

See Norfolk, VA

Nurses on this role

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