ICU Charge RN - Intensive Care Unit Charge Registered Nurse

MercyOne; Mason City (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MercyOne is seeking a Charge Nurse to provide shift leadership and ensure safe, efficient care for patients on a 12-hour day shift. The role blends clinical expertise with operational oversight, coordinating resources and supporting staff to achieve excellent outcomes.

The position requires ADN with BSN preferred, 12+ months RN experience (24 months preferred), Iowa license, and BLS/ACLS. Strong critical thinking and EMR proficiency are essential.

Qualifications

• ADN required; BSN preferred.
• RN experience: minimum 12 months; 24 months preferred.
• Current Iowa RN license (MercyOne Genesis: IA or IL) with secondary license within 12 months.
• American Heart Association BLS and ACLS certifications required.
• Mandatory Reporter training within 3 months of hire.
• Strong critical thinking, high-level language skills, and intermediate-to-advanced math proficiency.
• Basic computer proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily unit operations: staffing, workflow coordination, resource allocation based on acuity.
• Serve as on-shift clinical leader and liaison between nurses, physicians, and admin teams.
• Support onboarding, education, and development of staff and students.
• Provide direct patient care: assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation of nursing interventions.
• Ensure compliance with policies, safety protocols, Joint Commission standards, and regulations.
• Promote evidence-based practice and quality improvement; document consistently.
• Conduct/oversee audits: chart reviews, safety checks, incident follow-up, quality indicators.
• Lead daily huddles, interdisciplinary rounding, and care conferences.
• Partner with leadership on scheduling, hiring input, HR matters.
• Act as resource and role model for clinical practice and EMR use.
• Facilitate patient flow through admission, discharge, and transfer.
• Function independently with sound judgment under Nurse Practice Act.

Skills

Critical thinking

Advanced communication

Math proficiency

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred

Job description

Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

12 Hour Day Shift

Description:

Position Summary

The Charge Nurse is a registered nurse who provides shift leadership to ensure safe, effective, efficient, and compassionate care for patients. This role blends clinical expertise with operational oversight—supporting staff, coordinating resources, and fostering collaboration across the care team to achieve excellent patient outcomes and maintain a positive work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the unit, including staffing, workflow coordination, and resource allocation based on patient acuity and unit needs.

• Serve as the on‑shift clinical leader and primary liaison between nurses, physicians, and administrative teams.

• Support onboarding, education, and development of staff and students.

• Provide direct patient care, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing interventions.

• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, safety protocols, Joint Commission standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Promote evidence‑based practice, quality improvement initiatives, and consistent documentation standards.

• Conduct and/or oversee audits such as chart reviews, safety checks, incident follow‑up, and nursing‑sensitive quality indicators.

• Lead daily huddles, interdisciplinary rounding, patient‑family communication, and care conferences.

• Partner with leadership on scheduling, hiring input, and HR‑related matters.

• Act as a resource and role model for clinical practice, teamwork, and use of the electronic medical record.

• Facilitate smooth patient flow through admission, discharge, and transfer processes.

• Function independently with sound judgment, guided by the Nurse Practice Act and organizational policies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

• Minimum 12 months of RN experience required; 24 months preferred.

• Current Iowa RN license (MercyOne Genesis: Iowa or Illinois RN license required at hire; secondary state license must be obtained within 12 months).

• American Heart Association BLS and ACLS certifications required.

• Completion of Mandatory Reporter—Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within 3 months of hire.

• Strong critical thinking, high-level language skills, and intermediate-to-advanced math proficiency.

• Basic computer proficiency required.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.