RN-72 Hour
Company : Covenant Health
Location : Oak Ridge, TN, 37830
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 8 January 2026
Overview
Registered Nurse, Orthopedic Med Surg
Full Time, 72 Hours Per Pay Period, Night Shift
With more than 30 specialties from Cardiology and Neurosurgery to Orthopedics and Vascular care, Methodist Medical Center was one of the first hospitals in East Tennessee to offer cutting-edge treatments and technologies that benefit people with life-threatening aneurysms, severely damaged knee, hip and shoulder joints, sudden heart failure, and non-healing wounds.
- 283 licensed beds
- 25 ICU beds
- 12 intermediate care beds
- 38 emergency suites
- 2 cath labs
- 8 LDRP suites
- Over 250 active and courtesy physicians
- Over 800 employees
Department Overview:
Quality patient care, compassion, and safety are what we live and stand by. We support each other no matter what each shift brings. Our work family is an amazing example that together we are indeed better. Our patient mix is made of approximately 30 to 50 percent of our inpatient cases and Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy as deemed appropriate by our physicians. The remaining census consists of Medical/Surgical patients We also provide supportive/palliative care, which can involve transitioning to Hospice/End of Life Care. We also provide support to families and loved ones during this very difficult time. We are able to accommodate 32 patients with 16 telemetry monitors on our floor.
JOB OBJECTIVES:
Assume direct responsibility and accountability for, and authority of, the nursing care of all patients assigned.
Normally scheduled for three 12-hour shifts per week including every other weekend. Paid for hours worked and receives full-time benefits.
Recruiter: Madeline Fornadel || apply@covhlth.com
Responsibilities
- Assesses and identifies the patient's physiological and psycho-social problems and needs.
- Develops an individualized plan of nursing care for each patient in which goals, in terms of measurable outcomes, are stated.
- Ensures that nursing care plan is consistent with the medical plan and adheres to accepted current standards of care and practice.
- Makes appropriate assignments to team members by utilizing patient acuity data, and maintains accountability for members under his/her direction.
- Ensures nursing care adheres to current hospital/departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Demonstrates principles of infection control and collaborates with infection control nurse to ensure safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
- Participates in the orientation of new personnel.
- Assists clinical instructors in providing learning experiences for nursing students.
- Documents review and/or revision of each assigned patient's plan of care at least every 24 hours.
- NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other duties as assigned.
- HEALTH/SAFETY/COMPETENCE: Cannot pose a direct threat to health or safety of self or others. Must provide safe, efficient, competent care to customer or patient population assigned. Must demonstrate competency of the unit specific functions described in the performance continuum, skill lists and/or standards.
Qualifications
EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Must have knowledge of:
- Etiology, pathophysiology and prognosis for illnesses and health problems;
- The nursing process;
- The management process;
- Current developments in nursing;
- Hospital functions, policies, procedures and regulations as they relate to nursing service.
For staff involved in the care of age-specific groups, knowledge of the bio-psychosocial needs of adult, geriatric and pediatric patients is essential. Special knowledge is required in growth and development needs of pediatric/geriatric patients where applicable.
EXPERIENCE:
Previous experience in department specialty preferred.
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATIONS:
Must be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, or have a temporary permit to practice. Must be currently certified (or scheduled for certification or recertification training according to department guidelines) in the life support program(s) specific to unit(s) worked (CPR, ACLS, NALS).
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Frequently asked questions
In Oak Ridge, TN, essential certifications for RN roles like ACLS, BLS, and NALS are highly regarded. Employers, including Covenant Health, prioritize nurses holding current Tennessee RN licensure and life support credentials tailored to inpatient settings such as orthopedic med-surg and telemetry care.
Working three 12-hour night shifts per week under the 72-hour schedule offers extended off-days, enabling better personal time management. While night shifts can be challenging, this setup allows focused work periods with consecutive rest, a preferred rhythm for many full-time RNs seeking balance in Oak Ridge healthcare.
Highlight proficiency in orthopedic med-surgical nursing, telemetry monitoring, and managing complex inpatient cases including chemotherapy support. Emphasizing teamwork, infection control, and familiarity with acute patient assessments will distinguish candidates for 72-hour RN positions in hospital settings like Covenant Health.
Daily duties include assessing patient conditions, developing individualized nursing care plans, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring adherence to safety and infection protocols. The role demands accountability for patient outcomes during 12-hour night shifts in a fast-paced orthopedic med-surg environment.
Oak Ridge shows steady demand for overnight RNs, particularly in specialized units like orthopedic med-surg. While competition exists, candidates with certifications and prior hospital experience, especially in full-time 72-hour schedules, find favorable hiring prospects given local healthcare growth and Covenant Health’s staffing needs.
Registered nurses working 72-hour shifts in Oak Ridge typically earn between $48 and $55 per hour, aligning with regional averages. This reflects local cost of living and hospital size, with Covenant Health offering competitive pay rates comparable to other urban Tennessee centers for full-time, night-shift RN roles.
Covenant Health fosters advancement through continuing education, specialty training, and mentorship programs tailored to RNs on 72-hour shifts. Nurses benefit from exposure to over 30 specialties, promoting skill diversification and opportunities to move into leadership or clinical expert roles within the Oak Ridge medical community.
Night shift RNs on the 72-hour schedule may encounter challenges like managing fatigue and adapting to fluctuating patient acuity, especially in orthopedic med-surg units. Covenant Health addresses these with supportive staffing models, safety protocols, and wellness initiatives to maintain nurse resilience and high-quality patient care.
Covenant Health’s Rn-72 Hour role integrates high-acuity orthopedic med-surgical care with a balanced 72-hour workweek, emphasizing teamwork and patient-centered compassion. Their advanced technology and diverse specialties create a dynamic environment distinct from other local healthcare providers.
Given the extended night shifts, many RNs in Oak Ridge prefer living close to Covenant Health to reduce commute stress. Traffic patterns are lighter during overnight hours, but proximity remains crucial for nurse alertness and work-life balance when returning home after long shifts.