This is a Salaried (40 hrs/week) Night shift position located at Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista.

Eligible to participate in the Supervisor Incentive Plan

Elevate your career with Scripps Health, where Compassion Meets Excellence.

Invest, Empower & Belong. At Scripps Health, your potential is limitless. We're more than a healthcare provider, at Scripps you will join a community where your views, beliefs and values are celebrated. Grow through industry-leading development programs and empower yourself to deliver innovative care. Be a part of an extraordinary team, impacting health in beautiful San Diego.

AWARD-WINNING WORKPLACE:

At Scripps Health, your ambition is empowered, and your abilities are appreciated:

• Nearly a quarter of our employees have been with Scripps Health for over 10 years.
• Scripps is a Great Place to Work Certified company for 2025.
• Scripps has been consistently ranked as a top employer for women, millennials, diversity, and as an overall workplace by various national publications.
• Scripps named on Becker’s 165 top places to work in healthcare in 2026.
• We have transitional and professional development programs to create a learning environment that enables you to thrive in your specific field as well as in your overall career.
• Our specialties have been nationally recognized for quality in areas such as cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and gastroenterology.

About the Stepdown Unit

Our Stepdown Unit at Scripps Mercy Chula Vista is a 35-bed facility focused on high-acuity patients, including those recovering from strokes, cardiac issues, and patients on critical drip protocols and peritoneal dialysis treatments and administration. This unit specializes in continuous cardiac monitoring for conditions such as myocardial infarction, chest pain, unstable angina, hypertension, diabetes, and renal failure. Located in the vibrant South Bay, our team is known for its collaborative and supportive environment, where patient care and professional growth are top priorities. We take pride in serving a diverse and complex patient population, while fostering a culture of respect, teamwork, and continuous learning in the heart of this dynamic community.

About the role

Provides clinical leadership and operational oversight for the Stepdown Unit, fostering a culture of safety, clinical excellence, teamwork, and exceptional patient care. Under the general direction of the Patient Care Manager, partners with nursing leadership and the interdisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of high-quality care to a complex, high-acuity patient population requiring close monitoring and timely clinical intervention.

Leads day-to-day unit operations, including staffing, patient assignments, resource allocation, and coordination of patient care to ensure the right resources are aligned with patient needs. Serves as a visible and accessible clinical leader and resource for nursing staff, supporting sound clinical judgment, timely escalation of concerns, and consistent adherence to evidence-based standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational practices.

Drives efficient patient flow through bed placement, patient transfers, transport, room readiness, and discharge. Collaborates across departments to proactively identify barriers, resolve operational challenges, and facilitate timely movement of patients while maintaining safety and continuity of care.

Champions seamless transitions across the continuum by engaging nurses and interdisciplinary partners in individualized care planning, discharge readiness, and coordination of next-level care. Ensures clear, comprehensive handoffs and effective communication of patient status, clinical priorities, and ongoing care needs to support safe transitions and optimal outcomes.

Promotes a high-performing team environment by modeling Scripps values, strengthening communication and collaboration, recognizing opportunities for improvement, and empowering staff to deliver safe, compassionate, patient-centered care.

Required Education/Experience/Specialized Skills:

• Minimum of two years of progressive clinical nursing experience, including at least one year in a charge, preceptor, relief leadership, or other formal or informal nursing leadership role. Demonstrated ability to provide clinical leadership in a high-acuity environment and effectively prioritize the care of multiple patients with complex and changing needs.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, organization, and team-building skills.
• Ability to anticipate and respond to changes in patient condition, facilitate timely escalation of care, and collaborate effectively with physicians and the interdisciplinary care team. Demonstrated ability to coordinate staffing, patient assignments, patient flow, and unit operations while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program.

Required Certification/Registration:

• Current, unrestricted California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Current American Heart Association BLS and ACLS for Healthcare Provider certification.
• Maintains all clinical competencies and certifications required for the Stepdown/Charge RN role, including unit-specific competencies applicable to the care of high-acuity and monitored patients.

Preferred Education/Experience/Specialized Skills/Certification:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Previous Stepdown or Progressive Care Unit (PCU) nursing experience.
• Experience in charge nursing, precepting, mentoring, quality improvement, or other clinical leadership activities is highly desirable.