Psych | Registered Nurse

Travel Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) – Inpatient Behavioral Health Contract in Madison, Wisconsin

Make a meaningful difference as a Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) in this 13-week travel nursing assignment on an inpatient behavioral health unit in Madison, Wisconsin. Provide trauma-informed, safety-focused care to adult and geriatric patients in a supportive environment with patient ratios designed to promote therapeutic nursing care—not medication distribution alone. Madison offers lakes, parks, bike paths, cultural attractions, and a welcoming community for your next Wisconsin travel nurse job.

Travel Psychiatric RN Job Details

• Specialty: Inpatient Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Nursing
• Location: Madison, Wisconsin 53792; on-site position
• Weekly Estimated Pay: $1,730–$1,820
• Start Date: November 9, 2026
• Contract Duration: 13 weeks, ending February 8, 2027
• Schedule: Three 12-hour night shifts per week, generally 7:00 p.m.–7:30 a.m.; evening and night schedules may also include 8-hour shifts based on unit needs
• Hours: Approximately 36 hours per week
• Weekend and Holiday Coverage: Weekend rotation and holidays as needed
• Unit Environment: An 18-bed inpatient behavioral health unit with an average daily census of approximately 14 patients
• Typical Patient Ratios: Approximately 1:4 on days and weekends and 1:6 on nights
• Patient Population: Adults and geriatric patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, personality disorders, anxiety, substance use disorders, and trauma-related disorders
• Additional Expectations: Float as a patient safety attendant based on census and operational needs

Psychiatric Registered Nurse Job Requirements

• At least 2 years of behavioral health RN experience, including acute inpatient experience within the last 3 years
• Active Wisconsin RN license or compact RN license
• Current BLS certification from the American Heart Association
• Current CPI or equivalent crisis prevention certification
• Previous charge nurse experience required
• Experience with Epic electronic health record documentation
• Experience caring for patients with lower nurse-to-patient ratios, ideally approximately 1:4
• Proficiency in psychiatric assessment, medication administration, suicide risk management, crisis intervention, de-escalation, behavior management, and safe restraint or seclusion procedures
• Ability to care for patients with complex behavioral health needs, including assaultive behavior, self-injurious behavior, psychosis, mood disorders, substance use disorders, and severe intellectual disabilities
• Community hospital or Level I trauma experience preferred
• Successful completion of required pre-start clinical testing, including rhythm interpretation assessment requirements

Behavioral Health RN Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate, trauma-informed nursing care to adult and geriatric patients in an inpatient psychiatric setting
• Complete comprehensive psychiatric nursing assessments, develop individualized care plans, and monitor patient progress
• Recognize and respond to changes in mental status, suicide risk, aggression, self-harm risk, and other patient safety concerns
• Use therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, and evidence-based de-escalation techniques
• Administer medications safely and monitor therapeutic effects, adverse reactions, and patient responses
• Perform blood glucose monitoring, IV starts and maintenance, lab-value interpretation, and other appropriate clinical interventions
• Follow policies for physical holds, emergency medication administration, seclusion, and other behavioral safety interventions
• Document assessments, interventions, patient responses, and care coordination accurately in Epic
• Collaborate with psychiatry, social services, pharmacy, therapy teams, rapid response resources, and other interdisciplinary partners
• Support a safe, respectful unit environment and provide charge nurse leadership when assigned

Apply now for this Psychiatric Registered Nurse travel contract in Madison, Wisconsin, and join a patient-centered behavioral health team.

Benefits

401K with Matching, Healthcare, Dental and Vision

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity across our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.