Registered Nurse (RN) Job Description Template

Registered nurses (RNs) are in high demand. They’re responsible for delivering care as part of a patient’s treatment plan. Whether they’re administering medications, performing procedures, or responding to a patient’s change in condition, nurses are what keep hospitals and post-acute care facilities running.

Without enough nurses, patients get less care — and patient safety is compromised. That’s why it’s important for facilities to make nurse staffing a priority.

This starts by creating a job posting that attracts nurses to your facility. Learn about what should go into an RN job description and see realistic examples that speak the nursing language. We’ll share tips that will make you stand out from your competition and have nurses excited to join your staff today.

What Goes Into an RN Job Description?

One of the first steps in a nurse’s job search is submitting an application. To do this, the nurse must be sure everything is a fit. Do their skills match the facility’s requirements? Will the nurse be expected to go back to school after being hired?

Consider the staff nurse job description an opportunity to cover everything a nurse should know before applying. Anticipate any objections or cause for hesitation, and have a counter to each. At the end of the job posting, the nurse will be confident in hitting the “apply now” button and you’ll be one step closer to correcting the nursing shortage at your facility.

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

• intro and job summary
• benefits
• duties and responsibilities
• compensation and shift
• qualifications
• 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 themself at your facility. Think of the RN job summary as an elevator pitch for both the facility and the unit. You should give a clear description of the role while setting yourself apart from other facilities.

This is also a good place to share what sets this healthcare facility apart from others. Here you can showcase achievements that reflect a commitment to nursing excellence, such as Magnet designation, and identify any core values that stand out.

Template: Seeking a registered nurse for the neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU) at a comprehensive stroke center. We’re ranked fourth in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for Neurology and Neurosurgery thanks to our team of highly skilled professionals. Further your nursing career by joining a team of innovators paving the way in neurosurgery.

Benefits

Tips: Now that you have the nurse candidate’s interest, they may be wondering, “What’s in it for me?” Answer this by sharing the financial compensation and any benefits you have to offer.

Template:

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

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.

RN Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: Instead of listing gloss-over-worthy job duties like the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation), share what makes this an exciting place to work. List the daily duties of a nurse that will help them achieve their professional goals.

Template:

• Provides goal-directed care to patients within the Department of Neurosurgery
• Functions as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver best-practice care
• Demonstrates the ability to care for patients with complex multisystem needs
• Uses critical thinking to assess and respond to patient status changes
• Follows evidence-based practice to inform practice standards and participates in the application of practice changes
• Prioritizes patient safety by adhering to safety policies related to infection control and fall risk
• Completes required RN continuing education and unit-based advanced competencies

Compensation and Shift

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 first 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: $38/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.

Template:Ready to be a valued member of a healthcare team that’s changing the way patients get care? Advance your nursing career today at Grand View Medical Center. Apply now.

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