Registered Nurse Thoracic Surgery Stepdown

UPMC • Pittsburgh, PA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

UPMC Shadyside is hiring a full-time Registered Nurse for the 3 Main Thoracic Surgery Stepdown unit. The 38-bed post-operative surgical unit specializes in thoracic surgery recovery and serves as Shadyside’s surgical stepdown unit. Patients include people recovering from procedures such as minimally invasive esophagectomy and lobe resection, as well as patients receiving care after interventional cardiac procedures from the cath and electrophysiology labs. The unit offers nurses hands-on experience in a dynamic, fast-paced learning environment. Nurses work rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays, to provide 24/7 floor coverage.

The nurse provides holistic patient care using the nursing process and Relationship Based Care; builds positive relationships with patients, families, and colleagues; teaches patients, families, and staff; and contributes to professional development, shared governance, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice. The role requires effective communication, documentation, clinical judgment, adaptability, and the ability to work with changing priorities and specialized equipment.

A $20,000 sign-on bonus is offered to registered nurses with at least one year of RN experience. UPMC also describes a monthly loan repayment program for eligible 2026 and 2027 nursing graduates, paid time off and paid holidays, career ladders, and tuition reimbursement. The listed starting pay for a non-BSN Professional Staff Nurse is $37.00; final title and pay rate depend on individual qualifications and candidate choice.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse (RN) license or Temporary Practice Permit (TPP), with licensure in the facility’s state or an eligible multistate license under the Nursing Licensure Compact.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR); CPR must meet AHA standards, including didactic instruction and skills demonstration, within 30 days of hire.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); may be completed within 12 months of hire.
• Graduate nurses must complete the licensure examination within six months of hire or within one year of graduation, whichever comes first; UPMC also states that graduate nurses must take the exam within six months of their start date.
• Knowledge and skills to provide care for and interact with patients of all ages, and understanding of growth and development across the lifespan.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with patients, families, executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, and other departments.
• Ability to work productively and effectively amid changing priorities and specialized skills or equipment.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, sound clinical judgment, and ability to deliver quality patient care.
• Ability to understand, apply, and champion nursing best practices.
• Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and positioning patients.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• UPMC-approved national certification preferred.
• At least one year of RN experience qualifies the nurse for the listed sign-on bonus.

Responsibilities

• Foster positive relationships with colleagues and patients, understand cultural differences, and promote healthy interactions.
• Maintain work-life balance and prioritize safety.
• Use adult learning principles to educate patients, families, and staff.
• Guide patients through care transitions and provide detailed teaching.
• Support colleagues’ development and foster an open learning environment.
• Use the nursing process within Relationship Based Care and set daily goals based on individual patient needs.
• Communicate effectively with care providers and document comprehensively.
• Participate in shared governance and quality improvement.
• Adapt to change and contribute to improvements in patient care.
• Enhance patient satisfaction through evidence-based practices.
• Provide care to patients across all ages and use sound clinical judgment to analyze problems and deliver quality care.
• Work effectively in a complex environment with changing priorities and specialized equipment.

Benefits

• $20,000 sign-on bonus for registered nurses with at least one year of RN experience.
• Monthly loan repayment program for eligible 2026 and 2027 nursing graduates: $20,000 paid over three years; eligible flex full-time RN roles receive a prorated amount.
• Up to five and a half weeks of paid time off annually.
• Seven paid holidays each year.
• Career ladders and opportunities for professional growth.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per academic year at any accredited institution, available to employees and their dependents.
• UPMC employee discounts, including no-cost RN-BSN/MSN options.
• Compensation tailored to qualifications and individual preferences.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed