(RN) Registered Nurse - Per Diem - Rapid Recovery - 141600

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Registered Nurse for the Rapid Recovery unit on a per diem basis. The role will primarily work nights in the 14-bed post-surgical RRU, with potential float to PreOp/PACU at La Jolla and Hillcrest campuses.

Ideal candidates have strong critical care experience (ICU, PICU, NICU), California RN licensure, and BLS/CPR, ACLS, plus PALS. Per diem requires 1 weekend shift every 4 weeks and 1 major holiday, with 20% appointment.

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of Nursing.
• RN License issued by the State of California.
• BLS/CPR and ACLS certifications at time of hire with commitment to get ART within six (6) months of hire date.
• Current PALS, or must be obtained during 1st year of employment.
• Must have at least two (2) years of recent acute care ICU, PICU, and or NICU experience.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide skilled nursing care to post-operative patients in the Rapid Recovery Unit (RRU).
• Float to PreOp/PACU at La Jolla and Hillcrest campuses as needed.
• Care for patients undergoing neurology, orthopedics, urology, plastics, general, oncology, and other surgeries.
• Practice autonomous nursing actions within ANA standards and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Skills

BLS/CPR

ACLS

PALS

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Critical care

Education

RN license issued by the State of California

BSN

Job description

Payroll Title: NURSE PD

Department: LA JOLLA RAPID RECOVERY

Hiring Pay Scale: $91.16 / Hour

Worksite: Jacobs Medical Center

Appointment Type: Per Diem

Appointment Percent: 20%

Union: NX Contract

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: Nights, 12-Hour Shifts, Monday-Sunday

#141600 (RN) Registered Nurse - Per Diem - Rapid Recovery

Filing Deadline: Tue 10/6/2026

Current UC San Diego Health CNA (NX) represented RN/NP applicants will be considered after the first 7 days of job posting. All additional applicants will be considered after 14 days of job posting, pending the status of the initial internal CNA (NX) represented applicant pool.

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego Health is proud to be a four-time Magnet-designated organization and has now earned Magnet with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet is the gold standard for nursing excellence, achieved by only about 10% of hospitals worldwide. Magnet with Distinction is awarded to the highest-performing Magnet organizations, with only a select few earning this prestigious honor. This recognition reflects our commitment to transformational leadership, professional nursing excellence, innovation, exceptional patient outcomes, and an empowering practice environment where nurses thrive.

Ideal candidates will have a strong background in critical care, with experience in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), or both. As part of our dedicated team, you will play a pivotal role in providing exceptional care to patients recovering from complex surgeries, ensuring their safety and comfort during the immediate post-operative period and beyond.

The Registered Nurse provides skilled nursing care to patients undergoing surgical procedures. Primarily working out of Jacobs Medical Center, the Clinical Nurse II may need to float to PreOp/PACU at both La Jolla and Hillcrest campuses. La Jolla and Hillcrest perform surgical services in Neurology, Orthopedics, Urology, Plastics, general, Oncology, Head and Neck, Vascular and Open Heart, Gynecology, additional services at Hillcrest include trauma and burn surgeries. Additionally, the Clinical Nurse II may need to float to Shiley Eye Center, Koman Outpatient Pavilion pre-op/PACU and La Jolla Procedural Treatment Unit.

Autonomous nursing care is the ability of a nurse to assess and provide nursing actions as appropriate for patient care populations based on competence, professional expertise, and knowledge. The nurse is expected to practice autonomously consistent with ANA Standards of Practice and Professional Performance. Independent judgment is expected to be exercised within the context of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.

The Rapid Recovery Unit (RRU) on the 2nd floor of Jacobs Medical Center is a dynamic 14-bed Post-Surgical Care Unit, providing a range of care levels from Med-Surg to ICU. We specialize in the post-operative care of patients undergoing advanced surgical procedures, including but not limited to: oncology surgeries, vascular and plastic surgeries, urology procedures, and more. Our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional care across a spectrum of patient needs, ensuring optimal recovery in a supportive, high-acuity environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of Nursing.
• RN License issued by the State of California.
• BLS/CPR and ACLS certifications at time of hire with commitment to get ART within six (6) months of hire date.
• Current PALS, or must be obtained during 1st year of employment.
• Must have at least two (2) years of recent acute care ICU, PICU, and or NICU experience.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BSN
• CPAN and/or CAPA

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Per diem shift requirement is an average of 1 shift per week. Must be available 1 weekend shift every 4 weeks and 1 major holiday. This is subject to change based on department needs.
• Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, on-call and various locations based on the 24-hour Medical Center's business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $190,342 - $190,342 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $91.16 - $91.16

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands‑on practice and in‑person skills assessment; online‑only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading‑edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute‑designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is 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, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace