Registered Nurse I-III

State of Delaware; Delaware; On-site; USD 74,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentives

Referral bonuses

Comprehensive benefit package

Job summary

A state health department is seeking Registered Nurses to provide essential nursing care according to state and federal guidelines. The role involves ongoing client assessments, care plan development, and supervision of nursing staff. Ideal candidates should possess relevant nursing licenses and may qualify for recruitment incentives. Candidates should have experience in psychiatric settings and demonstrate a commitment to patient-centered care. This position offers a structured benefit package and aims to enhance nursing services within the community.

Qualifications

• Possession of a Delaware Registered Nurse license OR multi-state compact license.
• At least one year experience as a Registered Nurse in Psychiatric Nursing.
• At least two years’ experience as a Registered Nurse in Psychiatric Nursing for RN III.

Responsibilities

• Provide or evaluate direct nursing care.
• Develop and implement nursing care plans.
• Maintain effective working relationships with treatment team.
• Maintains effective relationships with the treatment team.
• Prepares and submits records, reports, evaluations and forms.
• Participates in quality assurance activities.

Skills

Registered Nurse license

Psychiatric Nursing experience

Patient care management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Master's degree in Nursing

Job description

Recruitment Incentives

Now offering Recruitment and Referral Incentives at the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS).

$10,000.00 recruitment incentive for:

• Registered Nurses
• Advanced Practice Nurses
• Nurse Consultants
• Nursing Supervisors
• Compliance Nurses

$7,500.00 recruitment incentive for Licensed Practical Nurse

$5,000.00 recruitment incentive for Certified Nurse’s Assistant

Referral bonuses of $1,000 are available to referring DHSS employees.

You must be a new employee to the State of DE to be eligible for this program.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) seeks to increase the number of applicants for clinical nursing positions by offering a recruitment incentive to eligible Advanced Practice Nurse, Nurse Consultant, Nursing Supervisor, Compliance Nurse, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Certified Nursing Assistant candidates in accordance with the DHSS Recruitment and Referral Incentive Program.

Program Terms

Recruitment incentives will be paid in quarterly installments over the first year of hire and will begin after the first quarter of employment. New employees accepting this recruitment bonus must commit to two consecutive years of employment with DHSS.

Referral bonuses of $1,000 are available to current DHSS employees who refer new hires to the state in the following classifications: Advanced Practice Nurse, Nurse Consultant, Nursing Supervisor, Compliance Nurse, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Certified Nursing Assistant. Referral bonuses of $1,000 will be paid in quarterly installments over the first year of hire of the referred applicant.

Note: This program is administered by the Department of Health and Social Services. The program may be terminated by the State at any time.

Summary Statement

A Registered Nurse is responsible for all required nursing care on their assigned shift and unit, in accordance with state and federal guidelines. This includes ongoing assessment of clients, recovery care planning, on‑going evaluation of all care provided, documentation, medication administration, wound care, and respiratory treatments. The RN must assign and supervise their staff according to staffing requirements and acuity, respond to psychiatric and medical emergencies, and conduct a variety of therapeutic groups. As an active member of the interdisciplinary recovery team, the RN works closely with clients’ families, community providers, and all support service departments at DPC. The RN role models client centered care initiatives to their staff, based on DPC’s mission and vision.

Essential Functions

• Provides or evaluates direct nursing care.
• Develops, implements and/or reviews nursing care plans.
• Provides health care instruction and guidance to individuals, families, community groups and/or nursing home facilities in the management of their health care needs.
• Maintains an effective working relationship with other members of the treatment team.
• Prepares and submits records, reports, evaluations and forms.
• Participates in and makes recommendations regarding quality assurance activities.

Job Requirements – Registered Nurse I

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

• Possession of a Delaware Registered Nurse license OR multi‑state compact license.

Job Requirements – Registered Nurse II (Psychiatric Nursing)

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

• Possession of a Bachelor's degree or higher in Nursing OR at least one year experience as a Registered Nurse in Psychiatric Nursing.
• Possession of a Delaware Registered Nurse license OR multi‑state compact license.

Job Requirements – Registered Nurse III (Psychiatric Nursing)

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

• At least two years’ experience as a Registered Nurse in Psychiatric Nursing OR a Bachelor's degree or higher in Nursing and at least one year experience as a Registered Nurse in Psychiatric Nursing OR a Master's degree or higher in Nursing.
• Possession of a Delaware Registered Nurse license OR multi‑state compact license.

Additional Posting Information

This posting may be closed on or before 09/26/2026 upon filling the vacant position(s).

Conditions of Hire

All new hires are required to attend an in‑person, statewide mandatory New Employee Orientation on their first day of employment. The session will be held at a designated location in either Kent or New Castle County.

A satisfactory criminal background check is required and must be covered by the applicant, with an estimated cost of $85.00. Pre‑employment drug testing is also required. Additionally, all new hires are required to complete a 2‑Step TB/PPD test, which will be administered on their first day at the facility.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our Job Seeker Resources.

DHSS does not provide employment‑based sponsorship.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/.

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.

Once you have submitted your application online, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the "My Applications" tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. TDD users may request an auxiliary aid or service by calling 800‑232‑5470 or by visiting delawarerelay.com. You may also call 302‑739‑5458 or email [e-mail] for additional applicant services support.

Equal Opportunity

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.