Registered Nurse Residency-Orthopaedics-3West
West Des Moines, Iowa
- Eligibility
- Sign-on bonus
Posted Aug 20 · New grads welcomed
- Shift and hours
- 12-hour nights
- Unit and setting
- Orthopaedics · Hospital
- License
- RN license
- Term
- Permanent
Do you qualify?
- New grads
- Welcomed, residency program Registered Nurse Residency-Orthopaedics-3West
- Education
- Graduate of accredited nursing program.
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 residencies →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 →2–3 months before
Meet the unit manager
Ask about overtime, a shadow shift, preceptor continuity and the schedule after orientation.
Prepare your questions →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
- Overtime pay
- $20/hr
- Sign-on bonus
- $20,000
Benefits
- paid time off
- parental leave
- 401K matching
- employee recognition program
- dental insurance
- health insurance
More benefits (8)
- paid holidays
- short and long-term disability
- pet insurance
- Daily Pay
- tuition reimbursement
- adoption assistance
- Relocation Assistance
- Sign-On Bonus
The role and schedule
- Weekends
- Weekends required
Support on this unit
The posting does not state the assignment size, and nothing published names it for this unit.
- Orientation
- Residency program
The workplace
Worth asking
- Can you walk me through base pay range, differentials, and sign-on bonus repayment terms?
- What should I expect for weekly hours and call?
More questions to askFewer questions
- What preceptor time and ongoing unit support are included?
- How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
Your fit
Original listing
Read full text
Overview
Shift: Full Time | 7pm-7:30am weekend and holiday rotation
Now Offering a Limited-Time $20,000 RN Sign-On Bonus!
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines is offering a $20,000 sign-on bonus for full-time eligible RNs (Including Residents) hired or offered into acute inpatient roles between April 1 October July 31, 2026 , paid in milestone-based installments.
Relocation Assistance: Up to $10,000 for full-time offers when relocating more than 50 miles.
3 West Ortho has been recognized as Blue Distinction for the care we give to our total hip and knee replacement patients. We are a 34-bed unit that specializes in the orthopaedic population. We also have a wide variety of the medical/surgical adult population. We are a smaller hospital with a family atmosphere. Come be a part of our outstanding team we have here on 3 West!
Why UnityPoint Health?:
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:
- Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
- Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
- Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities
Applications are accepted year round, but w e encourage you to apply during your last semester of nursing school. Start dates are dependent on licensure, onboarding, unit availability as well as your personal preference.
All newly licensed RNs and RNs with less than 12 months of acute RN experience at the time of application are required to participate in the RN Residency program.
How to Apply
All candidates, including current staff, should apply by completing an online application for the Nurse Residency Position.
Reminder: Items needed to complete your application are
- Online Application to Nurse Residency Position.
- Resume
Responsibilities
Successfully functions as a Registered Nurse as defined in Iowa Nursing Regulations and Practice Act. Provides nursing care for patients and families and maintains a practice environment that reflects the ANA Code for Nurses, Philosophy of Nursing at UnityPoint Health-Des Moines within the structure of the Professional Nurse Practice Model and in collaboration with other care givers.
For more information about the program and specific details please go to https://www.unitypoint.org/desmoines/nurse-residency-program.aspx or if you have questions specific to your application or documents, please contact the Nurse Residency Program at 515-241-6864
Qualifications
Education
- Graduate of accredited nursing program.
License(s)/Certification(s)
- Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in Iowa.
Experience
- Newly licensed nurse or less than 12 months acute RN experience.
Other
- Level 3 Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
- Completion of residency program within the first 12 months of employment.
What's around it?
West Des Moines, IAFrom Census ACS 2024.
Living costs about 8% below the US average
- Median rent
- $1,237/mo
- Household income
- $86,594/yr, all local households, not nurse pay