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Registered Nurse (Experienced RN) - Intermediate/Med Surg Stepdown Units - Float Pool

Duke Health

Durham, North Carolina

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RNHealthcare OccupationsPatient Care Nursing OccupationsNursing OccupationsRegistered Nurses

Posted Aug 14, 2026 · Last seen active Aug 15, 2026

What the posting states

Differentials
shift differentials
Weekends, holidays, call
Weekend Rotation: One Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday per 4-week schedule · Holidays: One major and one minor holiday for both winter and summer seasons
Patient load & staffing
Duke University Health System Float Pool – Intermediate/Stepdown Units Earn a $5/hour Float Pool premium while expanding your clinical expertise across multiple specialties. the Duke Health Float Pool offers a unique and rewarding career path. As part of the Intermediate/Stepdown Float Pool, you’ll provide care across diverse specialties, including:
Orientation & support
1-week orientation

About this role

Show full description
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together. About Duke University Hospital Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more. Duke Nursing Highlights: Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses. Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification. Duke University Health System has 6000 + registered nurses Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle! Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility) Registered Nurse (Experienced RN) – Full Time Duke University Health System Float Pool – Intermediate/Stepdown Units Earn a $5/hour Float Pool premium while expanding your clinical expertise across multiple specialties. Why Join Duke Health’s Float Pool? If you’re an experienced RN looking to grow, diversify your skillset, and work across high-acuity specialties, the Duke Health Float Pool offers a unique and rewarding career path. You’ll gain exposure to a wide variety of patient populations while working alongside top clinical teams across the health system—all while earning a competitive float premium and receiving full benefits. This role supports patient care across: Duke University Hospital Duke Regional Hospital Duke Raleigh Hospital (a campus of Duke University Hospital) Clinical Areas Supported As part of the Intermediate/Stepdown Float Pool, you’ll provide care across diverse specialties, including: Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery General Medicine General Surgery Neurology & Neurosurgery Oncology Orthopedics Transplant Trauma About the Role Float Pool nurses are highly adaptable clinicians who thrive in dynamic environments. With comprehensive cross-training and ongoing support, you’ll build advanced clinical capabilities and confidence caring for a wide range of patient populations. Unlike many systems, Duke offers full benefits and career advancement opportunities equal to those of unit-based staff, making this an exceptional opportunity to grow while maintaining stability and support. What You’ll Do Deliver high-quality, patient-centered care across Intermediate and Stepdown units Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and actively participate in patient rounds Manage patient assignments with ratios typically ranging from 1:3 to 1:6, based on acuity Utilize critical thinking to adapt care plans across different clinical settings Support a care environment staffed with Charge Nurses, Nursing Care Assistants, and Health Unit Coordinators As a Clinical Nurse, you will: Plan, deliver, and evaluate nursing care using the nursing process Delegate and supervise care team members appropriately Serve as a preceptor and mentor to peers and learners Participate in quality improvement and professional development initiatives Ensure compliance with all regulatory and professional standards Who We’re Looking For We’re seeking experienced RNs who: Thrive in fast-paced, team-oriented environments Demonstrate adaptability, accountability, and strong clinical judgment Are passionate about patient advocacy and family-centered care Align with Duke Health’s mission: Advancing Health Together Embrace our culture commitments: Putting People First, Being Clear, Empowering Others, and Adapting to Improve Work Schedule Shifts: Days (7A–7P), Nights (7P–7A), or rotating Schedule Options: Three 12-hour shifts/week, OR Alternating 3 shifts one week / 2 shifts the next Weekend Rotation: One Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday per 4-week schedule Holidays: One major and one minor holiday for both winter and summer seasons Weekend option roles available Compensation & Benefits $5.00/hour Float Pool premium Competitive base pay and • shift differentials Paid onboarding: ~1 week hospital orientation + ~3 weeks unit-based orientation Career Ladder advancement opportunities PTO accrual and comprehensive benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision) Up to $25,000 in Nurse Loan Forgiveness Tuition assistance and certification bonus Relocation assistance (for moves >50 miles) Employee referral bonus program Duke-funded pension plan (fully vested after 5 years) 403(b) retirement savings plan Ongoing professional development through Duke Continuing Education Qualifications Graduate of an accredited ADN, Diploma, or BSN program Minimum 1 year of recent RN experience (Intermediate/Stepdown or acute care preferred) Note: RNs without a BSN must enroll in a BSN program within 2 years of hire and complete it within 7 years. Licensure & Certifications Active RN license in North Carolina or compact state license BLS required ACLS, NIH, CPI preferred Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Requirements

  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals
  • Hospital rounding experience
  • Care plan evaluation
  • Nursing
  • 12 hour shift
  • Management
  • CPI Certification
  • Magnet hospital

About the employer

Duke Health
Academic Medical Center

Duke Health is a leading national academic health center based in Durham, North Carolina, operating under the mission of 'Advancing Health Together.' The system encompasses Duke University Hospital and various clinic-based facilities, including specialty clinics such as the Neuro Center…

3.2 Google rating

What reviewers appreciate

  • Academic medical center environment with diverse specialty clinical areas including neurology, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and cerebrovascular care
  • Strong mission-driven culture centered on 'Advancing Health Together'
  • Workplace culture described as caring deeply, advocating for others, and improving lives

What reviewers flag

  • Described as a 'complex community,' which may indicate organizational complexity typical of large academic health systems
  • The provided research did not capture explicit negative feedback or challenges from nurse reviews
compassionatemission-drivenacademicdiversecollaborativeadvocacy

Living in Durham, NC

Durham blends Southern charm with a revitalized downtown anchored by the historic American Tobacco District. Home to Duke University Hospital and a thriving food scene, the Bull City offers nurses a welcoming place to land.

Map showing the location of Durham, NC
Durham, NC on the map · © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap· Open the live map
Metro price level · Durham area
97.6
2% below the national average
Median gross rent
$1,508/mo
rent and tenant-paid utilities

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

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Worth asking

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

  • Can you walk me through the base pay range?
  • What should I expect for shifts, weekly hours, and call?
  • What preceptor time and ongoing unit support are included?
  • How are patient load and staffing support handled day to day?
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