Registered Nurse (New Grad) Intermediate/Med Surg Stepdown Units - Float Pool

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 64,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Float Pool RN Premium $5/hr

Nurse Loan Forgiveness up to $25,000

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Duke University Health System seeks a Registered Nurse (New Grad) for its Float Pool across Med/Surg/Stepdown units at Duke University Hospital and affiliated campuses in Durham, NC.

This on-site role emphasizes teamwork, adaptability, and continuous learning in a fast-paced environment with comprehensive benefits and loan forgiveness options.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited Nursing program (BSN/ADN/Diploma).
• Current RN license in North Carolina or compact state.
• BLS certification required.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient care across Med/Surg and Float Pool units.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to plan and evaluate patient care.
• Support patient family education and safety initiatives.

Skills

Teamwork

Accountability

Family-centered care

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

Associate’s Degree in Nursing

Nursing Diploma program

Job description

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Registered Nurse (New Grad) Intermediate/Med Surg Stepdown Units - Float Pool

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 271647

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Jul 22, 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 University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Duke Nursing Highlights:

• Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization
• Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses.
• Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification.
• Duke University Health System has 6000 + registered nurses
• Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
• Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility)

Registered Nurse (New Grad RN)-Open to August and December New Grads

Duke University Health System Float Pool

Located in Various Units at Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital, a Campus of Duke University Hospital

Duke University Health System seeks to hire a Registered Nurse who will embrace our mission of Advancing Health Together. Our team is active in delivering exemplary care for each patient to ensure an excellent patient experience, every time.

TheDuke University Health System Nursing Float Poolteam provides patient care, support and cares for a variety of patients on our Medical Surgical units. Nurses in these units would work as a part of a multidisciplinary team and have the opportunity to participate in rounds on their patients.

• Nurse: Patient ratio averages 1:3 through 1:6 dependent on acuity and the unit is staffed with a standing charge nurse and Health Unit Coordinator 24/7. Nursing Care Assistants are on the unit 7a-7p and 7p to 7a.
• Ideal candidates will have a passion for teamwork, demonstrate accountability and have an appreciation for family-center care.

What you will do

In the Float Pool, it is embedded in our staff to rise to the challenge and adapt to situations. Due to the extensive training received in each area, our staff continue to be clinical experts, offering a broad skillset and range of knowledge throughout the various patient populations. Unlike other health systems in the area, Duke offers the same benefits to Float Pool staff as Department dedicated staff. The float pool offers a dynamic opportunity for a wide range of experiences in order to build your career.

What you can expect

• Multitask in myriad ways – document assessments, plan of care, interventions, evaluation and re-evaluation of patient status, assess nursing needs of acute and chronically ill patients, independently seek out resources and work collaboratively. Educate patients and families in accordance with the nursing plan of care. Relationship management with patients, families, visitors, healthcare team, physicians, administrators, leadership and others.

What you will need

• Graduation from an accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher) OR Associate's Degree in Nursing OR Nursing Diploma program.
• All registered nurses without a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (or higher) will be required to enroll in an appropriate BSN program within two years of their start date and to complete the program within sevenyears of their start date.

Licensure and Certification 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.
• BLS Certification required.

What we will provide

• Float Pool RN Premium of $5.00 per hour.
• Paid Training: On average 4 weeks for Experienced RN; on average 14 weeks for New Grads of paid orientation depending on level of experience.
• Opportunities for a Lifetime. Duke University Health System is committed to providing robust learning and development from Office of Continuing Education.
• Tuition Assistance

Up to $25,000 Nurse Loan Forgiveness - ALL full-time (at least 0.75 FTE) RN positions are eligible.

Relocation assistance available for Nurses relocating greater than 50 miles to Durham, NC.

• Employee Referral Program
• Nursing Specialty Certification Bonus
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Pension plan and much more.

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.