Experienced RN/Registered Nurse - Duke Life Flight

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University Health System is seeking an Experienced RN/Registered Nurse for Duke Life Flight in Durham, NC. This on-site role involves providing priority-driven, high-quality nursing care for patients across a wide age range during ground and air transport, with rotating night and day shifts.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years of critical care experience, current BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP certifications, and NC RN licensure or a compact license.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years ICU/critical care nursing experience; 4 years preferred.
• Current BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications.
• NC RN license or compact license in NC.
• Ability to work rotating night/day shifts in a team setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide priority-driven, high-quality nursing care in a patient-centered atmosphere.
• Plan and supervise total nursing care using the nursing process.
• Care for patients during ground, rotor wing, and fixed wing transport.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams during transport.

Skills

Critical care nursing

BLS

ACLS

PALS

NRP

NC EMT

Trauma certification

Teamwork

Education

RN license (NC)

Job description

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Experienced RN/Registered Nurse - Duke Life Flight

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 276015

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Oct 21, 2026

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 Life Flight

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke Life Flight, which is Duke Health's critical care and emergency air and ground transport team, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems. The team includes paramedics, nurses, respiratory therapists, emergency medical technicians, and communications specialists who work quickly to provide compassionate care and transport services to critically ill patients of all ages. Duke Life Flight also maintains a Code Blue Response Team and helps support event medicine needs.

***Experienced RNs may be eligible for a $15000 Commitment Bonus (terms and conditions apply)***

Position is eligible for a relocation assistance (terms and conditions apply)

Registered Nurse/Experience RN/Clinical Nurse II – Duke Life Flight

Duke University Health System seeks to hire an Experience RN/Registered Nurse who will embrace our mission of Transforming Lives Transforming Care.

Duke University Health System’s Life Flight team supports over 20 critical care procedures independently. The patient population is 22-23 week gestation neonates to geriatric (all ages). In this department you work with interdisciplinary teams including, Basic Life Support EMT’s, single provider ALS Paramedic, Clinical Nurses, Respiratory Therapist (Neo/Peds team) and Critical Care Paramedics.

Job Summary:

As an Experience RN/Registered Nurse with Duke University Health System, you will provide priority driven, high quality and world class care in a patient-centered atmosphere. The Experience RN/Registered Nurse is responsible for providing and supervising direct and indirect total nursing care responsibilities. Utilizing the nursing process (assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating) in achieving the goals of the nursing department. Plan and provide advanced and/or specialized nursing care for patients guided by DUHS Professional Practice model and approved EMS practices, participate in the clinical ladder program, educational activities, departmental committees, research projects or other health related projects as assigned. Provide nursing services to patients and families in accordance with the scope of the RN as defined by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Adhere to all rules and regulations of all applicable local, state and federal agencies and accrediting bodies. Actively participates in outstanding customer service and accepts responsibility in maintaining relationships that are equally respectful to all.

The Life Flight Experience RN/Registered Nurse will provide care to ill and injured patients of all ages via ground, rotor wing and fixed wing transport. The Life Flight Experienced RN/Registered Nurse will staff all vehicles and perform advanced nursing care during all modes of transport. Ground and air shifts are on a rotating basis (approximately 50% ground and 50% air shifts).

Full Time: Rotating shifts nights and days

Location: Henderson - 566 Ruin Creek Rd, Henderson, NC 27536

Knowledge, Skills, Education, and Experience Preferred:

• Minimum of 3 years (4 years preferred) of critical care nursing experience required with a strong preference for experienced ground and/or air transport nurses.
• Recent direct patient care experience within the last six months of application.
• Current certifications in BLS, ACLS, PALS and Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP).
• Certified as a North Carolina EMT (within one year of hire)
• Must possess one current trauma course prior to hire:PHTLS, TNCC, TPATC, PATC, BTLS or ITLS.
• Additional specialty certification must be obtained within 2 years of hire if new to transport nursing (CTRN or CFRN). If applicant possesses transport nursing experience, a specialty certification is required before hire
• Ability to work in a diverse, autonomous environment.

Physical requirements (height/weight restrictions):

• Not greater than 230 lbs. in full uniform and no greater than 6' 4" in height.

Licensure, Certification or Registration Required:

• Current registration with North Carolina State Board of Nursing as a registered professional nurse OR current compact RN licensure to practice in the state of North Carolina required.

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.

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.

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.