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RN - Surgical / Trauma ICU

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UW Health

Madison, Wisconsin

You'll care for some of the most complex, critically ill adults in a newly designed surgical/trauma ICU.

Posted Nov 2 · New grads welcomed

1 / 3
Shift and hours
8- or 12-⁠hour evening/night shifts, 3:00 pm to 7:30 am · Evening and night shifts 90% FTE, 8/12-hour evening/night shift between the hours of 3:00 pm - 7:30 am
Unit and setting
Surgical/Trauma ICU on C2/4
License
RN license Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of WI or holds a license issued by a jurisdiction that has adopted the nurse licensure compact Upon Hire RequiredWI RN license, or RN license from a nurse licensure compact state, upon hire
Term
Permanent 90% FTE, 8/12-hour evening/night shift0.9 FTE

Do you qualify?

New grads
Welcomed, residency program
License
WI RN license, or RN license from a nurse licensure compact state, upon hire Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of WI or holds a license issued by a jurisdiction that has adopted the nurse licensure compact Upon Hire Required Check your license
Certification
Current CPR/BLS upon hire Current CPR/BLS Certification Upon Hire Required
Experience
6 months nursing experience or Nurse Residency Program participation Six (6) months nursing experience

Preferred

Certification
Relevant certification Relevant certification Preferred
Education
BSN Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Preferred
Experience
Relevant RN experience Relevant RN Experience Preferred
Your six-month RN application plan

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

  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

What it pays

Against similar roles
Top of Madison staff RN payMadison staff RN postings that state pay run $38/hr to $44/hr, the middle half $40/hr to $40/hr, across 251 postings.
Extra pay
$4/hour evening differential $4/hour eveningas applicable for hours worked
Extra pay
$5/hour night differential $5/hour nightas applicable for hours worked
Extra pay
$4.25/hour weekend differential $4.25/hour weekend differentialas applicable for hours worked
Eligibility
Full-time benefits for part-time work Full time benefits for part time work (for positions 60% FTE and higher).for positions 60% FTE and higher
Bonus
Referral bonus The opportunity to earn a referral bonus for referring friends, former colleagues or others to apply for open, posted positions.referring friends, former colleagues or others to apply for open, posted positions

Benefits

  • BenefitsHealth and dental insurancehealth and dental insurance
  • BenefitsPaid time offpaid time off
  • BenefitsRetirement plansretirement plans
  • BenefitsTwo-week paid parental leavetwo-week paid parental leave
  • BenefitsAdoption assistanceadoption assistance
  • BenefitsTuition benefits from day one of employmentTuition benefits eligibility on day one of employment
  • BenefitsAccess to UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department resourcesAccess to great resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department that supports your emotional, financial, and physical well-being.

The role and schedule

Patients
Trauma with multiple injuries, maternal fetal medicine, post-op liver transplant, aortic aneurysm repair, bowel obstruction
Day to day
Care for patients with EVDs, lumbar drains and Swan-Ganz catheters Specialized care for adult patients with EVDs, lumbar drains, and Swan-Ganz catheters.
Unit size
16-bed STICU a state-of-the-art 16-bed STICU
Weekends
Every other weekend with an every other weekend rotation
Holidays
Holiday rotation required Holiday rotation required.
Details
Shared governance structure giving every nurse a voice A strong shared governance structure which assures every nurse has a voice.
Details
Level I Trauma Center a leading Level I Trauma Center
Details
Magnet-designated hospital University Hospital in Madison is a Magnet®-designated facility

Support on this unit

Nurse to patient
Acuity-based staffing ratios Acuity based staffing ratios for optimal safety
Orientation
Residency program

The workplace

UW Health logo
UW Health
Academic Medical Center
4.7 Google rating

Your fit

Questions to ask

  • What should I expect for weekly hours and call?
  • What 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

On your path

ICU / Critical Care has an opening for new graduates. This employer welcomes new graduates for this role. See the posting’s qualifications and orientation details.

Original listing

Posted on UW Health’s careers page.

Read full text

Work Schedule

90% FTE, 8/12-hour evening/night shift between the hours of 3:00 pm - 7:30 am with an every other weekend rotation. Holiday rotation required. You will work at University Hospital in Madison, WI.

Pay

Additional components of compensation include impressive

  • shift differentials - $4/hour evening, $5/hour night and $4.25/hour weekend differential as applicable for hours worked.

Are you ready to elevate your critical care nursing career in a fast-paced, dynamic environment? Our upcoming newly designed Surgical / Trauma ICU will offer an exciting opportunity to care for some of the most complex and critically ill adult patients at University Hospital - a leading Level I Trauma Center and Wisconsin’s #1 hospital. We are seeking an experienced critical care Registered Nurse (RN) to join our dedicated team in a state-of-the-art 16-bed STICU that will begin to care for patients Spring 2027 on C2/4.

About the unit

Diverse patient population including trauma victims with multiple injuries, maternal fetal medicine, and high-acuity surgical patients to include post-op liver transplant recipients, thoracic aortic aneurysm repairs, and bowel obstruction cases. Specialized care for adult patients with EVDs, lumbar drains, and Swan-Ganz catheters. Fast-paced environment designed to provide cutting-edge and evidence based critical care in a newly constructed space with advanced technology and resources. Strong interdisciplinary collaboration fostering a supportive and positive work culture where teamwork drives exceptional patient outcomes.

At UW Health, you will have

An excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, two-week paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Full time benefits for part time work (for positions 60% FTE and higher). Options for a variety of schedules and shifts that offer flexibility and allow for work-life balance .

Access to great resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department that supports your emotional, financial, and physical well-being. Acuity based staffing ratios for optimal safety . A strong shared governance structure which assures every nurse has a voice.

A place where nursing excellence is recognized and celebrated in our inpatient and outpatient settings through several award programs. Tuition benefits eligibility on day one of employment - UW Health invests in your professional growth as a nurse by helping pay for coursework associated with career advancement. The opportunity to earn a referral bonus for referring friends, former colleagues or others to apply for open, posted positions.

Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Preferred Work Experience Six (6) months nursing experience or current participant in UW Health’s Nurse Residency Program with successful completion of the Nurse Residency Orientation on unit/similar unit. Required Relevant RN Experience Preferred Licenses & Certifications Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of WI or holds a license issued by a jurisdiction that has adopted the nurse licensure compact Upon Hire Required Current CPR/BLS Certification Upon Hire Required ACLS within 6 months Required Relevant certification Preferred Our Commitment to Social Impact and Belonging UW Health is committed to fostering a workplace that creates belonging for everyone and is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Our respect for people shines through patient care interactions and our daily work practices as we work to embrace the knowledge, unique perspectives and qualities each employee and faculty member brings to work each day.

It is the policy of UW Health to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. University Hospital in Madison is a Magnet®-designated facility that’s ranked Wisconsin’s #1 hospital and considered one of the nation's leading hospitals, teaching institutions and referral centers. Job Description UW Hospital and Clinics benefits

What's around it?

In Madison, WI

Madison, WIFrom Census ACS 2024.

Living costs about 3% below the US average

Median rent
$1,413/mo
Household income
$78,050/yr, all local households, not nurse pay

See Madison, WI

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