Registered Nurse (RN) Job Description Template

Registered nurses (RNs) keep hospitals and post-acute care facilities running smoothly. They’re responsible for administering medications, performing procedures, and responding to a patient’s change in condition. If your facility has RN vacancies, crafting a well-organized registered nurse job description can help you find an employee with the skills for success.

This RN job description template can help you structure your job posting in a way that appeals to a wide variety of nurse candidates. We’ll share tips to help you stand out from your competition and get nurses excited to join your staff.

Want to do market research prior to posting your staff nurse job description? See how other organizations present RN qualifications, skills, and education requirements in our latest job postings. When you’re ready to start interviewing candidates, these tailored RN interview questions can help you pick the best possible candidate.

What Goes Into a Registered Nurse Job Description?

Consider your RN job description as an opportunity to cover everything a nurse should know before applying. Do their skills match the facility’s requirements? Will the nurse be expected to go back to school after being hired? Anticipate any objections or cause for hesitation, and have a counter to each.

Here’s an overview of the content to include in a general nurse job description:

• Intro and job summary
• Benefits
• Duties and responsibilities
• Compensation and schedule requirements
• Qualifications and skills
• Call to action

Registered Nurse (RN)

Tips: Many nurses explore job postings because they’re in need of change. The RN job description should elicit a feeling that makes them excited to picture themselves at your facility.

Think of the RN job summary as an elevator pitch for both the facility and the unit you’re hiring for. You should give a clear description of the role while setting yourself apart from other facilities. Here you can showcase achievements that reflect a commitment to nursing excellence and identify any core values that stand out.

Template: We’re seeking a registered nurse for our neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU) at our downtown comprehensive stroke center. We’re ranked fourth in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals for Neurology and Neurosurgery thanks to our team of highly skilled professionals.

Further your nursing career by joining our multidisciplinary team of innovators paving the way in neurosurgery. Read below as we outline the qualifications, licensure, and degree requirements we’re looking for.

Benefits

Tips: Now that you have the nurse candidate’s interest, they may be wondering, “What’s in it for me?” Sharing information about your organization’s benefits package can help nurses see why applying for your job is worth the effort.

Template:

• Competitive pay
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement and 401(k) options
• PTO
• Tuition reimbursement

RN Duties and Responsibilities

Tips:Instead of listing basic responsibilities like carrying out the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation), share what makes your facility an exciting place to work. List nurse duties that will help them achieve their professional goals.

Template:

Daily duties of a nurse at our facility include:

• Providing goal-directed care to patients within the Department of Neurosurgery
• Functioning as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver best-practice care
• Demonstrating the ability to care for patients with complex multisystem needs
• Using critical thinking to assess and respond to patient status changes
• Following evidence-based practice to inform practice standards and participating in the application of practice changes
• Prioritizing patient safety by adhering to safety policies related to infection control and fall risk
• Completing required RN continuing education and unit-based advanced competencies

Compensation and Schedule Requirements

Tips: Give the candidate another opportunity to get clear on the expectations for the job. This prevents any misunderstandings when you bring your candidate in for their RN interview. List job details like the location, shift requirements, and employment class in this section.

Template:

• Location: Main hospital
• Shift: Day/night rotating; every other weekend
• Employment class: Full-time (36 hours per week)
• Pay: $42/hr
• Nurse-to-patient ratio 1:2

Qualifications

Tips: This section of your RN job description should include the education, experience, and licensure required for the role. If your facility requires education within a certain time frame of hire, such as the completion of a BSN degree, now is the time to set the expectation.

Template:

• Graduate of an accredited nursing school
• BSN is required within five years of hire
• Minimum of one year of RN experience required
• Active RN license in TN
• Active American Heart Association BLS certification
• Active American Heart Association ACLS certification
• Background check and drug screen clearance

Call to Action

Tips: You’ve captured the nurse’s attention, and they’re motivated to take the next steps. In the call-to-action section, make it clear what those steps are. Provide a link and instructions on how to apply.

It’s also a good idea to include an equal opportunity employer statement in this section. Assure candidates that they won’t be turned away based on factors like race, gender identity, or veteran status if they apply.

Template:Ready to be a valued member of a healthcare team that’s changing the way patients receive care? Advance your nursing career today at Grand View Medical Center. Start the application process by clicking “Apply Now.” We look forward to hearing from you!

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