Registered Professional Nurse (Per Diem)

State of Connecticut - Department of Children & Families; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

State employee benefits

Professional development

Work-life balance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families, seeks Registered Nurses for Per-Diem roles at John Dempsey Hospital, Solnit South Campus, Middletown, CT. You will independently implement the nursing process, assess patients, administer medications, monitor conditions, document interventions, and respond to emergencies.

Positions include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts with weekend and holiday coverage.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program.
• Current Connecticut RN license or compact license.
• Experience in a healthcare setting, per diem preferred.

Responsibilities

• Render direct professional nursing care to individuals.
• Assess patients, administer medications and treatments, monitor conditions.
• Document interventions and respond to emergencies.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and education.
• Support rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions.

Skills

Nursing knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

RN License

Job description

Introduction

Are you a Registered Nurse looking to make a difference in the lives of children and their families in Connecticut? If so, we invite you to take this opportunity to join our team! The State of Connecticut, including the partnership with UConn Health and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) – is seeking dedicated and passionate individuals to join our team in Nurse (Per-Diem) positions, at the John Dempsey Hospital, Solnit South Campus in Middletown, CT. New! Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit Nurse Licensure Compact for more details. Join a dedicated team of compassionate professionals committed to helping individuals achieve their highest level of health and independence. As a Registered Professional Nurse with the State of Connecticut, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the public sector while delivering high-quality nursing care to individuals in need. We welcome you to be part of a collaborative and supportive environment where your clinical expertise, critical thinking, and commitment to patient-centered care will directly contribute to the well-being and success of our clients and patients. We encourage you to apply today and Make an ImpaCT!

In this role, you will independently implement the nursing process by performing assessments, administering medications and treatments, monitoring patient conditions, documenting interventions, and responding to emergencies. You will play an essential role in promoting physical and mental health through education, collaboration, and compassionate care. Additional responsibilities may include participating in interdisciplinary treatment planning, conducting training, assisting with outpatient services, implementing nursing care plans, and supporting rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to serve the community while advancing your professional nursing career in a dynamic healthcare setting.

The RN Nurse Per Diem positions may also include unit charge responsibilities. Hours of work include First, Second, Third Shifts, Weekends, and Holidays. Location varies and includes the Hospital, and the South Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility cottages (PRTF).

IN ADDITION TO THE BASE ANNUAL SALARY, YOU MAY BE APPROVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION BONUS: Each Registered Nurse who is permanently assigned to the second or third shift shall receive a “recruitment and retention” yearly bonus of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00). This bonus shall be prorated for part‑time. In order to be eligible for this bonus, the employee must have completed one year of service in the registered nurse classification.

Position Highlights

• Location: John Dempsey Hospital, Solnit South Campus in Middletown, CT
• Per-Diem
• Possible Shifts
• 1st Shift | 7:00 am – 3:30 pm
• 2nd Shift | 2:45 pm – 11:15 pm
• 3rd Shift | 11:10 pm – 7:10 am

Applicants to this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

Scheduling Requirements

• 12 eight‑hour shifts within a three (3) month period, including six (6) of these shifts as weekend shifts.
• At least two (2) eight‑hour shifts per pay period within the three (3) month period
• One (1) winter holiday: Christmas Eve: second shift; Christmas day: first shift; New Year's Eve: second shift; New Year's Day first shift
• One (1) summer holiday: Memorial Day: first, second, third shift; July 4th: first, second, third shift; Labor Day: first, second, third shift.

Management reserves the right to modify or update the Per Diem policy expectations at any time, based on business needs or regulatory requirements.

What we can offer you:

• View our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
• A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

Who We Are:

At DCF our mission is partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter. Currently we are seeking individuals who are looking to advance their career and make a difference.

John Dempsey Hospital at Solnit South Campus:

Located in Middletown, CT, it is widely recognized as a center of excellence for family-centered treatment of children and youth with serious emotional disturbances. This state-administered Psychiatric facility provides comprehensive care to children and adolescents under the age of eighteen, with severe mental illness and related behavioral and emotional problems who cannot be safely assessed or treated in a less restrictive setting. The South Campus consists of four co-ed hospital units and three female adolescent Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility cottages (PRTF).

About the State of Connecticut:

Living in Connecticut allows you to live with mountains, forests, ocean fronts, rivers, and a wonderful green countryside right at your doorstep. The state has charm, elegance, and a high standard of living. Our school systems offer an outstanding education, and our communities are among the safest in the country. Connecticut experiences all four seasons and gives you the option to choose living in sophisticated country‑life or living in the center of a lively city.

We encourage you to come see all that Connecticut has to offer by joining the DCF team!

Purpose of job class (nature of work)

In a state hospital or facility works on a daily or hourly basis as a regular registered nurse, providing direct professional nursing care to a variety of individuals.

Examples of duties

• Acts as a nurse working on a per diem/hourly basis;
• Makes rounds and gives direct care;
• Takes and records vital signs;
• Carries out physicians orders regarding diet, medication, and treatment;
• Changes dressings;
• Checks and distributes narcotics;
• Maintains availability of drugs and supplies;
• Observes adequacy of housekeeping and maintenance services;
• Does first aid and alerts physicians to emergency conditions;
• Records observations of physical and physiological status and actions taken;
• Confers with nurses and physicians on other shifts regarding condition of individuals;
• Protects human and civil rights of individuals and staff;
• Educates individuals and their families toward an awareness and understanding of health and illness;
• Assesses individuals medical-psychosocial needs;
• May participate in outpatient clinics and assist in physical examinations and histories;
• May administer EKG and eye examinations;
• May participate in bathing and feeding of individuals and residents;
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, skill and ability

Knowledge of principles and practices of nursing; Considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills.

Minimum qualifications - general experience

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.

Preferred qualifications

Experience in a psychiatric Setting.

Special requirements

Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license or temporary permit as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut OR hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license. Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain designated positions.

Character requirements

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for permanent appointment.

Working conditions

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain individuals; may have exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from assaultive/abusive individuals; may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.