New Grad RN, Behavioral Health

Job Requirements

The Clinical Nurse I (CN I) role is designed for new graduate nurses or nurses with less than 12 months of clinical experience. The CN I is expected to successfully complete all requirements of Member Organization’s Nurse Residency Program (if applicable) and departmental orientation. The CN I will achieve practice readiness as defined by UMMS: "The ability to assess and manage each patient's diverse clinical needs while demonstrating the confidence and competence to safely perform and coordinate the interventions needed to provide equitable, comprehensive patient centered care." The CN I provides direct patient care while collaborating with interdisciplinary team members and remains accountable for professional practice in alignment with UMMS Mission, Vision, and Values.

Primary Responsibilities

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job responsibilities performed.

Assessment & Care

• Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments including vital signs, pain, and behavioral status while recognizing and reporting abnormal findings.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans incorporating patient and family preferences, cultural considerations, and developmental needs.
  
  

Clinical Practice

• Provide safe, timely, and organized patient care through efficient workflow management and clinical reasoning.
• Acknowledge and implement provider orders in a timely manner with appropriate evaluation of their relevance to patient condition.
  
  

Education, Communication & Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with interdisciplinary team members utilizing appropriate communication modalities and chain of command.
• Perform effective patient care handoffs and educate patients about treatments using therapeutic communication techniques.
  
  

Medication Management

• Safely administer prescribed medications and monitor for therapeutic effects and adverse reactions.
• Follows institutional policies, procedures, and best practices for safe medication handling, administration, disposal, and documentation.
  
  

Prevention, Safety & Quality

• Implements and maintains a safe, therapeutic care environment by adhering to hospital safety protocols, infection prevention and control standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Completes required documentation including event reports and consent verification.
  
  

Professionalism

• Demonstrate accountability for professional practice by adhering to regulatory standards, institutional policies, and the ANA Code of Ethics.
• Engage in continuous learning and professional development to maintain clinical competence.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Work Experience

Education & Experience - Required

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program with Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (or higher).
• Participation in the organization's Nurse Graduate or Nurse Residency/Novice RN Program is required.
• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Maryland OR eligibility to practice due to Compact state agreements outlined through the Maryland Board of Nursing required.
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification required. Will accept Red Cross BLS upon hire (new hires only).
• Specialty life support certification required based on clinical area assignment (must be obtained within 6 months of hire or by completion of unit orientation, whichever is longer)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support for nurses caring for adult critical care patients
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support for nurses caring for pediatric critical care patients
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program for nurses caring for neonatal critical care patients
• Nurses not assigned to critical care areas are not required to obtain specialty life support certifications
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrates competence in the UMMS Nursing Competencies per standard.
• Successfully completes all requirements of Nurse Residency program and member organization/departmental orientation.
• Maintains knowledge of nursing principles, practices, and standards of care.
• Obtains understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and disease processes.
• Maintains awareness of current evidence-based practice, patient safety guidelines, and infection control standards.
• Maintains knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, Joint Commission), and documentation standards.
• Begins individual professional development by obtaining 10 continuing education credits within 12 months of hire.
• Achieves and maintains individual competency requirements for nursing practice.
• Demonstrates physical ability to meet job demands (e.g., lifting, prolonged standing, assisting with patient mobility).
  
  

Benefits

Full-Time Days (7am-7:30pm)

Pay Range: $37.75 - $56.21/hr. (depends on years of experience)

Other Compensation (if applicable): Shift Differential

Up to $12,000 Sign-on Bonus; restrictions may apply

Review the 2025-2026 UMMS Benefits Guide

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