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RN - Birth Center Registered Nurse

MercyOne

Dubuque, Iowa

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MercyOne workplace
RN

Posted Jul 26, 2026 · Last seen active Jul 29, 2026

What this might mean for you

MercyOne is a trauma center — high acuity, high tempo, and skills that compound fast. It's a night shift — quieter halls, a tighter crew, and your daylight hours back.

At a glance: what the posting states

Shift
Nights
Weekends, holidays, call
Primarily night position; this position is also required to work every third weekend and every third holiday.
Hiring employer
MercyOne

Worth asking

  • What is the base pay range, and which differentials apply for this shift, unit, weekends, holidays, or call?
  • What are the weekends, holidays, call, and rotation requirements?
  • What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
  • What patient load should I expect, how is floating handled, and what staffing support is typical?

The posting doesn’t answer these. Good ones to ask a recruiter or in the interview.

About this role

Employment Type Full time Shift 12 Hour Night Shift Description Dubuque, located right on the Mississippi river, is known for its historic charm and has a cost of living approximately 12% below the U. S. average. The Dubuque Community School District is highly regarded, and the city offers private schools plus colleges like Loras College and Clarke University. Families enjoy cultural attractions such as the National Mississippi River Museum, arts festivals and an abundance of parks and trails. As the region’s leading hospital, MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center offers the only Level II NICU and the most comprehensive cardiology center in the tri‑state area. It holds Magnet designation (fifth consecutive cycle), CMS 5‑star quality rating and national recognition including Fortune/IBM Watson’s 100 Top Hospitals. It’s a Wellmark Blue Distinction Center+ for maternity and earns American Heart Association awards —Stroke Gold Plus, Mission: Lifeline NSTEMI and STEMI Gold. It recently celebrated 100 years of American Heart Association membership. Position Title: RN
Show full description
Department: Birth Center Shift: 3rd shift Hours: 6pm-6:30am Full time position in the Birth Center at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center. Primarily night position; this position is also required to work every third weekend and every third holiday. Care for the laboring patient in addition to postpartum couplets and surgical patients. Will be cross trained to assist in pediatrics during times of high census. Required to become Electronic Fetal Monitor certified within first year, in addition to ACLS and NRP; Mandatory Reporter and BLS also required. Position Purpose Provides and directs safe, effective, and culturally competent care for women, newborns, and pediatric patients. Utilizes evidence-based practice and critical thinking to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate outcome-based care. Manages a diverse patient population across labor and delivery, postpartum, newborn nursery, pediatrics, and/or pediatric intensive care, with varying levels of acuity. Supervises and coordinates care provided by LPNs, Patient Care Technicians/Assistants, and other team members, while ensuring clear communication with physicians, families, and the interdisciplinary team. Adheres to MercyOne’s performance expectations and upholds the Mission, Vision, and Values of MercyOne. Minimum Qualifications Associate degree in nursing required Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred. Current Iowa RN license, (current Illinois (IL) license if working in IL) required. American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) required. Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter – Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within three (3) months of hire. High language, intermediate to high math, high critical thinking ability. Basic computer skills required. Essential Functions Conducts an initial assessment to gather data. Makes an initial assessment of new admissions within 30 minutes of the patient’s arrival to the unit. Completes all areas of the admission assessment database within 24 hours of admission. Identifies patient problems and develops them into an outcome/goal-based plan of care. Initiates the patient problem list and incorporates relevant obstetric, neonatal, or pediatric history into the plan of care. Analyzes and interprets assessment data to identify desired outcomes/goals for mother and child. Determines nursing interventions to achieve those outcomes/goals. Prioritizes care needs for both mother and infant. Identifies and makes appropriate referrals (e.g., Lactation Consultant, Social Services, Nutritional Services, Spiritual Care). Implements the outcome/goal-based plan of care Assigns and coordinates patient care based on acuity and team member competencies. Organizes and prioritizes care for mothers, newborns, and pediatric patients. Delegates tasks appropriately to other team members. Implements the plan of care including procedures, treatments, physician orders, nursing orders, education plans, and medications. Coordinates implementation with Case Manager, Social Worker, and other disciplines. Assists in discharge planning, ensuring families have resources for newborn care, breastfeeding support, and pediatric follow-up. Uses nursing judgment to determine frequency and components of reassessment. Reassesses at regular intervals to monitor maternal recovery and newborn/pediatric progress. Documents discharge instructions for mother, infant, and/or caregiver. Evaluates patient progress and revises the plan as needed Evaluates maternal and pediatric response(s) to interventions. Updates the plan of care based on ongoing reassessments. Revises problem list and outcomes/goals as conditions change. Evaluates patient progress and revises the outcome/goal-based plan as needed. Evaluates patient response(s) to interventions. Review/modifies/revises the outcome-based plan of care based on ongoing reassessments. Updates the problem list and outcomes/goals. Communicates relevant clinical information to optimize outcomes Communicates maternal and pediatric status to physicians and team members. Reports progress toward outcomes/goals and changes in condition promptly. Maintains ongoing communication with interdisciplinary team throughout the shift, at handoff, and during transfers. Documents completely and accurately per policy. Demonstrates clinical competence Utilizes Women & Children-specific policies and procedures to guide practice. Ensures medication safety following the “5 Rights.” Demonstrates competency in electronic health record systems. Processes and implements physician orders accurately. Maintains communication with leadership regarding admissions, acuity, and significant events. Completes assigned shift duties and resolves discrepancies. Manages fetal and neonatal monitoring when applicable Demonstrates competency in interpreting fetal heart tracings and neonatal vital signs. Responds appropriately to changes in maternal or neonatal condition. Provides interventions for obstetric or neonatal emergencies. Serves as a resource for other hospital services and participates in quality improvement initiatives. Provides age-appropriate care based on principles of growth and development Collects, analyzes, and applies age-specific data for newborns, children, and adolescents. Performs tasks and uses equipment in an age-appropriate manner. Communicates effectively with patients and families at their developmental level. Adheres to safety and infection control standards Attends required safety programs. Uses appropriate PPE consistently. Demonstrates emergency procedures for obstetric and pediatric emergencies. Maintains a safe environment for mothers, infants, and staff. Maintains compliance with laws, regulations, and organizational standards Upholds Trinity Health’s Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, and all applicable policies in a professional and ethical manner. Physical And Mental Requirements And Working Conditions Performs duties that may involve exposure to hazardous substances and is subject to normal risks associated with handling of narcotics. In patient care areas, may perform or demonstrate patient care tasks which may expose the clinical nurse to infectious or communicable disease, or possibility of injury from irrational or confused patients and visitors or from instruments or equipment. Lift/Carry; Push/Pull 76-100% of the time, avg 50-100 lbs. Stand; Walk/Move About 76-100% of the time Must possess the ability to comply with Trinity Health policies and procedures. Our Commitment Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Show more Show less

Skills for this role

Electronic Fetal MonitoringFetal heart tracing interpretationNeonatal vital signs monitoringObstetric emergency interventionsNeonatal emergency interventionsPatient assessmentCare planningMedication administrationElectronic health record documentationDischarge planningAge-appropriate careInfection control

Certifications

BLSACLSNRPElectronic Fetal Monitor certificationMandatory Reporter

Requirements

  • Iowa RN license
  • Illinois RN license (if working in IL)
  • And Working Conditions

About the employer

MercyOne logo
MercyOne
Trauma Center

You are looking at MercyOne in Waterloo and the wider Northeast Iowa network—Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Oelwein medical centers with 491 licensed beds, 24-hour emergency care, and more than 2,500 colleagues. Waterloo Medical Center is an Area Level III Trauma…

491 beds
2.5 Google rating
MercyOne workplace

What reviewers appreciate

  • Sign-on bonuses listed from $10,000 (Mason City medical unit) up to $15,000 (Clive rehab and Acute Care Resource Pool)
  • Relocation bonus available on the Acute Care RN Resource Pool for all experience levels
  • Benefits from day one on Mason City RN-Medical Unit postings (health, retirement, PTO, vision, dental)

What reviewers flag

  • RN BSN Glassdoor subset around 2.8/5 with lower pay/benefits and work-life scores than the company average
  • Waterloo reviews cite staffing shortages, high turnover, training gaps, and some bullying experiences
  • Local TV investigation reported multiple recent nurses raising patient-safety concerns

Benefits: Benefits from day one listed on Mason City RN-Medical Unit posting: health, retirement, PTO, vision, dental. Paid education/training and Jump Start financial support while finishing school.

mission-drivenCatholic-affiliatedtrauma-readyflexible schedulinginternal mobilitymixed reviews

Living in Dubuque, IA

Perched along the Mississippi River amid scenic limestone bluffs, Dubuque blends small-town warmth with historic riverfront charm. Nurses drawn to quieter Midwestern living will find a tight-knit community, modest traffic, and easy access to outdoor recreation along the river and surrounding hills.

Map showing the location of Dubuque, IA
Dubuque, IA on the map · © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap
Metro price level · Dubuque area
87.3
13% below the national average
Median gross rent
$948/mo
rent and tenant-paid utilities

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024 metro Regional Price Parities · Census ACS 2024

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