Emergency Department Registered Nurse at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System – Linville, North Carolina

Location: Linville, North Carolina | Full-Time | Night Shift

As an Emergency Department Registered Nurse at UNC Health Appalachian, you’ll provide high-acuity, fast-paced patient care that makes a life-saving difference every day. You’ll use advanced assessment skills, rapid critical thinking, and the full nursing process to stabilize patients and guide urgent interventions. Join a mission-driven team committed to excellence, compassion, and teamwork in one of the most essential departments in the hospital.

• Compensation: Starting pay begins at $34.00 per hour, with competitive rates based on experience and education.
• Schedule: Full-time | Variable shifts | Weekends & holidays required.
• Benefits: Comprehensive medical/dental/vision, retirement with match, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, wellness incentives, and employee discounts.

• Deliver high-quality, patient-centered care using the nursing process (assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation).

• Triage patients according to acuity using established protocols.

• Perform rapid assessment, identify priorities, and implement timely interventions.

• Administer medications, treatments, and procedures safely and accurately.

• Collaborate with physicians, APPs, and multidisciplinary teams to provide coordinated emergency care.

• Monitor, reassess, and document patient status using the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).

• Respond quickly to changes in patient condition and emergency situations.

• Provide emotional support, patient education, and compassionate communication to patients and families.

• Adhere to UNC Health Appalachian standards, safety practices, and regulatory requirements.

Education:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Experience:

• Previous RN experience preferred, but not required.

• Experience in an acute or clinic setting preferred.

• One year of Emergency Department or similar high-acuity experience preferred.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Current RN licensure in North Carolina (or compact state).

• Required at hire: Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association.

• Required within 1 year of hire:

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – AHA

  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – AHA

  • Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course (ENPC) – ENA

  • Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) – ENA

  • National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong assessment, triage, and critical thinking skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.

• Competent in providing safe, evidence-based care within legal scope of practice.

• Excellent customer service and professionalism under pressure.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting throughout 8+ hour shifts.

• Lift, push, pull, or transfer 50+ lbs regularly.

• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens, infectious materials, chemicals, and radiation.

• Fast-paced, high-stress clinical environment with irregular hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Requires strong visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to respond rapidly to emergencies.

• Career Growth: Access to continuing education, leadership pathways, and specialty certifications in emergency care.
• Impactful Work: Provide life-saving interventions and serve on the front lines of patient care in the community.
• Community & Lifestyle: Boone, North Carolina offers breathtaking mountain views, outdoor adventures, and a vibrant community — ranked among America’s best small towns by Forbes and Southern Living.
• Inclusive Culture: We celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion — ensuring every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered.

Ready to save lives and grow your nursing career in a supportive, high-energy environment?
Apply today to join UNC Health Appalachian and make a meaningful difference in emergency care.

About UNC Health Appalachian
It's official - UNC Health Appalachian earned an "A" in the fall 2023 Leapfrog Patient Safety Grades! UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply “making life better.”

About UNC Health
UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org.

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us.

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen. For accommodations or additional information, contact arhsrecruitment@unchealth.unc.edu.