RN Med Surg
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Santa Cruz, CA, 95065
Job Type : Part Time
Salary : 75.68-96.75 HOUR
Date Posted : 4 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
RN is responsible for supporting efforts to improve clinical and service excellence of patient care provided. RN s must be able to identify and apply care skills appropriate to the specific patient age groups served. The RN will participate in the achievement of service targets and process goals.
ALL REGISTERED NURSES will render professional nursing care to patients, support medical care as directed by physicians. This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the Mission of Dignity Health/Dominican Hospital. It is expected that the employee will demonstrate behavior consistent with the Core Values. The RN shall support Dignity Health/Dominican Hospital's strategic plan and the goals and direction of the quality improvement/process improvement activities and patient satisfaction.
Job Requirements
Requirements:
- Six months of recent hospital, clinic or similar nursing experience.
Licensure:
- Registered Nurse: CA (RN:CA)
- Basic Life Support - CPR (BLS-CPR) from American Heart Association
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) from American Heart Association
Education:
- ASN - Associates of Science
Dominican Hospital (a member of Dignity Health) is a 222-bed facility that offers a wide range of services to residents of California’s Central Coast. With 24/7 emergency care, comprehensive care in cardiac, orthopedics, oncology, women’s and children’s services, we continue to lead the region in medical innovation and excellence in healthcare.
Comprehensive Care
Dominican offers emergency services and is a Certified Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center. Dominican’s services include the only comprehensive Cancer Center in Santa Cruz County, a Total Joint Replacement program, and advanced neurological and endoscopic services. Dominican regularly receives ‘A’ grades for hospital safety from Leapfrog Group, and has received national recognition for superior patient safety, cardiac care, and stroke treatment from Healthgrades, a leading provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.
As Santa Cruz County’s heart attack (STEMI) receiving center, Dominican Hospital provides cutting edge cardiac care. The hospital’s heart attack treatment times consistently beat the national average, and the hospital offers two cardiac catheterization labs available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Groundbreaking cardiac procedures at Dominican include the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure, which allows for heart valve replacement without opening a patient’s chest.
Dominican Hospital has forged significant partnerships with area hospitals to bring exceptional care to Santa Cruz County. The hospital offers a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) through a partnership with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. Neurosurgery at Dominican is also offered through a partnership with Stanford Health Care.
One Community. One Mission. One California
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Frequently asked questions
Santa Cruz's healthcare sector shows steady demand for RN Med Surg nurses, especially within established hospitals like Catholic Health Initiatives. Competition exists but is moderate due to ongoing retirements and regional growth, making it a favorable time for qualified RNs to secure roles in this area.
Beyond the standard CA registered nurse license and BLS/ACLS certifications, Santa Cruz employers often appreciate additional certifications such as stroke care or cardiac life support credentials, reflecting the area's emphasis on specialized care like stroke and cardiac services.
RN Med Surg nurses manage a diverse patient population with complex medical and surgical needs, requiring adaptability across various care protocols. Unlike specialized nurses, they coordinate multiple treatments, monitor recovery, and support physicians in acute and post-operative settings.
Career growth for RN Med Surg nurses often includes progression into supervisory roles, clinical nurse specialist paths, or transitioning into specialty areas like cardiac or oncology nursing, leveraging foundational med-surgical experience to broaden clinical expertise.
RN Med Surg professionals in Santa Cruz typically earn between $95,000 and $115,000 annually, influenced by experience and certifications. This reflects the region’s cost of living and the specialized skills required in med-surgical nursing at facilities like Dominican Hospital.
Catholic Health Initiatives offers a mission-driven culture emphasizing patient dignity and excellence, appealing to med surg nurses seeking meaningful work. Their partnerships with Stanford and specialized programs also provide unique professional development opportunities.
Catholic Health Initiatives integrates community-focused care with cutting-edge procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement. This blend of advanced technology and compassionate care sets it apart from other hospitals, enriching the RN Med Surg role.
The role demands proficiency in tailoring nursing care to patients ranging from young adults to elderly, adjusting interventions and communication accordingly. This versatility ensures comprehensive support across age-specific clinical challenges.
Many assume med surg nursing is routine or less specialized, but it actually requires critical thinking, rapid adaptability, and broad clinical skills. Underestimating this can lead to missed opportunities in a rewarding and dynamic nursing field.
Travel nursing is viable for RN Med Surg nurses seeking diverse assignments nationwide. It offers exposure to different hospital systems and practices, often with higher pay, though it demands flexibility and quick acclimation to new environments.