Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Start Date: 01-05-2026

End Date: 04-06-2026

Shift Type: Rotating 12-hour shifts with varying start times; Days: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM (start times 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM); Mids: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (start times 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM); Nights: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM (start times listed include 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM). Schedule includes every-other-weekend and holiday rotation; night-focused assignments available.

Hours per Week: 36

Candidate Pay Rate: $76 per hour

About United Health Care Staffing

At United Health Care Staffing (UHC Staffing), we believe healthcare staffing should be more than just finding a job. We are here to connect amazing professionals with opportunities that make their careers exciting, rewarding, and meaningful. With us, you're not just signing up for a contract you are joining a team that's got your back, answers your calls, and maybe even cracks a joke or two to brighten your day. Think of us as the travel buddy who handles the logistics while you focus on what you do best helping people heal.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality emergency care for a high-volume ER seeing ~150 patients per day — triage, assess, intervene and escalate as needed
• Manage ventilated and critically ill patients in collaboration with RT and the in-house hospitalist/intensivist
• Perform moderate conscious sedation under competency guidelines and monitor patients through recovery
• Use Cerner FirstNet for charting and coordinate care with the pharmacy and IV/RT teams
• Carry charge nurse responsibilities when assigned — lead the shift, support staff, and ensure safe patient flow
• Collaborate with PCTs, mid-level providers, and social services to address complex social and behavioral health needs (including psych holds and care for homeless patients)
• Prioritize patient safety and rapid disposition decisions; coordinate transfers to higher-level care when necessary

Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted RN licensure for California
• Minimum 2 years of recent emergency (ER) nursing experience
• Current BLS and ACLS required; PALS and NIHSS required
• Moderate Conscious Sedation competency testing required prior to start
• Experience with ventilator management and telemetry (Philips) preferred
• Ability to work a high-volume, fast-paced ER and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams

Education

• Active RN license in California; BSN not required (ADN or diploma acceptable)

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong emergency nursing clinical judgment and rapid assessment skills
• Proficiency with Cerner / Cerner FirstNet electronic charting
• Ventilator management knowledge and familiarity with Philips telemetry
• Comfort managing pediatric and adult emergency presentations
• Trauma and fast-track workflow experience
• Skills in de-escalation and caring for behavioral health/psych holds and vulnerable populations

Benefits

• Generous hourly pay and competitive premium differentials for nights and holidays
• Guaranteed 36 hours per week for this assignment to help you plan your life
• Medical, Dental & Vision options to keep you and your family healthy
• Licensure assistance & reimbursement for required certifications
• Paid orientation so you feel confident and supported on day one
• Referral bonus program — bring a friend, earn extra cash
• A collaborative ER team with on-site RT 24/7 and hospitalist/intensivist coverage
• Supportive workplace culture that values experience, resilience, and compassion

Travel Perks: Explore Santa Cruz, CA

This 13-week contract places you in beautiful Santa Cruz — when you’re off shift explore the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, catch waves or walk the coast at Cowell Beach, hike the redwoods at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, stroll West Cliff Drive for ocean views, or take a short scenic drive to Monterey and Carmel for coastal restaurants and aquarium visits. Downtown Santa Cruz offers great coffee shops, farmer’s markets, and a lively local arts scene — perfect for decompressing after a fast-paced ER shift.

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#RegisteredNurseJobs #SantaCruzCAJobs #EmergencyNursing #RNJobs #TravelNurse #HealthcareJobs #ERNurse #UHCCareers #CernerJobs #NursingOpportunities