Registered Nurse (RN) Med/Surg - Surgical Short Stay

Vancouver Coastal Health; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Coastal Health is seeking a Registered Nurse for the Short Stay Unit at UBC Hospital in Vancouver, BC. You will provide direct nursing care to short-stay surgical patients, perform assessments, and participate in discharge planning within an interdisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes documentation, patient education, and ongoing professional development consistent with BCCNP standards and VCH policies. Flexible scheduling may apply to operational needs and collective agreements.

Qualifications

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the BCCNP.
• Experience with short stay surgical patient care.
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team and adapt to unit needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to designated short-stay surgical patients independently and as part of a care team.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate client care for the assigned group.
• Participate in discharge planning and patient/family education.
• Document care clearly and timely in required systems; collaborate with other health care providers.

Skills

Nursing assessment

Post-operative care

Ventilation support

Wound care

IV therapy

Pain management

Discharge planning

Documentation

Education

BCCNP RN registration

Job description

Come work as a Registered Nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) on the Short Stay Unit at UBC Hospital in Vancouver, BC! Using a best practices approach, provides nursing care to assigned patients/clients working independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary care team. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates client care for designated surgical short stay patient/client group. Participates in discharge planning, functions as a client advocate and teaches clients and their families about illness/injury and overall health promotion and wellness. Enhances quality of life from the perspective of the client/family. Documents care provided and responds to incidents in accordance with established policies and procedures. Consults, confers and collaborates with other health care providers. Maintains and advances own clinical competence. Participates on designated hospital committees/teams and approved research projects as assigned. Practices in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP) standards (professional & practice) and code of ethics for a Registered Nurse. Practices within the scope of practice as set by the organization, as per VCH policies and guidelines/clinical practice documents and within own competence. This practice is aligned with the vision, mission, goals and values of the organization as well as with the concept of a client and family centred care model. The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.

Education & Experience

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability in nursing practice related to designated client group - Short Stay Surgeries.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pathophysiology related to common diagnosis/surgeries and specific clinical situations related to area of practice (e.g. Neurological - seizures, stroke, spinal injuries, ALS, MS; Cardiovascular - heart failure, angina, MI; Respiratory - asthma, COPD, pneumonia; Gastrointestinal - peritonitis, pancreatitis, hepatic failure; Genitourinary - renal failure; Hematology - immunodeficiency, thrombosis; Endocrine/Glandular; Musculoskeletal.).
• Demonstrated ability to provide nursing assessments & interventions related to common diagnosis/surgeries and specific clinical situations relevant to the designated patient/client group (e.g. Neurological - stroke; Cardiovascular - cardiac arrest, septic shock, arrhythmia; Respiratory - ineffective airways, impaired gas exchange; Gastrointestinal - abdominal assessments and drainage, liver profile, enteral feeding; Genitourinary - nephrotoxic agents, AV Fistula, urine and creatinine assessments; Endocrine - blood sugar, electrolytes, hormone replacement; Musculoskeletal - skin and muscle evaluations, immobilizers, pharmacological agents, wound care; Hematology - CBC, WBC, administration of blood products).
• Demonstrated ability to perform focused secondary assessments and integrate information from a variety of sources including diagnostics and develop plan of care relevant to the designated patient/client group.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to potential complications and care issues relevant to the designated patient/client group.
• Demonstrated ability in correct usage of equipment and maintains competency in working with non-invasive ventilation (CPAP); enteral feeding tubes; special urinary catheters; other care related pumps, catheters, tubes, suctions for patient population.
• Demonstrated ability to document client care on appropriate systems/forms in accordance with organizational and unit standards in a timely and accurate manner.
• Demonstrated skill in the management of patients with post-operative anxiety, discomfort, pain, and/or complications; complex pain management issues; sensitivity to opioids, opioid tolerance; or cardiac issues. Utilizes the Pain Assessment Record to perform comprehensive pain assessments.
• Demonstrated skill in safe care & management of complex wound/ostomy care, catheterization, gastrointestinal tubes/drains, compartment syndrome, blood glucose monitoring, and pharmacological agents.
• Demonstrated skill in IV insulin management, enteral nutrition, administering blood and blood product transfusions, and infection monitoring of invasive sites or devices (CVC/PICC).
• Demonstrated skill in performing RN autonomous scope of practice and standards of care relevant to designated patient/client population including IV, infection control, isolation protocols etc.