The Registered Nurse provides acute care to patients in a hospital or virtual setting, developing individualized care plans and evaluating patient progress. Responsibilities include coordinating care, documenting treatments, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to manage patient outcomes.
Position Summary
Opening Summer 2026 at 4000 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, FL.
The Orlando Health System of Care includes award-winning hospitals and ERs, specialty institutes, urgent care centers, primary care practices and outpatient facilities that span Florida’s east to west coasts, Central Alabama and Puerto Rico.
Collectively, our dedicated team members honor our over 100-year legacy by providing professional and compassionate care to the patients, families and communities we serve.
Join us!
Combining the collective strengths of two powerhouse organizations, Orlando Health and the high-quality physicians at Watson Clinic are expanding access to award-winning specialty care for patients in Polk County and beyond.
Opening in summer 2026, Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital – a state-of-the-art, seven-story, multi-specialty hospital – will serve as a vital 550,000 square-foot healthcare hub offering:
300+ inpatient beds and 69 emergency and observation beds 11 operating rooms and four cardiac interventional suites Dedicated labor and delivery services – including a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that will debut shortly after the hospital opens Comprehensive cardiovascular, neurology, and oncology services Advanced surgical procedures Join us in shaping the future of healthcare in Polk County as part of the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital opening team and share in the privilege of saying you were there from the very beginning. Benefits Beyond the Expected Orlando Health is committed to providing you with benefits that go beyond the expected, with career-growing FREE education programs and well-being services to support you and your family through every stage of life. We begin your benefits on day one and offer flexibility wherever possible, so that you can be present for your passions. “Orlando Health Is Your Best Place to Work” is not just something we say, it’s our promise to you. Benefits that begin on Day 1 Four (4) weeks paid parental leave Debt-free degrees through our Preferred Education Program Tuition reimbursement and loan repayment programs Back-up childcare and elder care Fertility benefits and adoption assistance NCLEX reimbursement Free NCPDs for RN license Free Kaplan review courses Dedicated RN career counselor and GN Coordinators to develop you Specialty certifications reimbursement And more!
Position Summary
The RN-Acute Care administers patient care in an area in a hospital or inpatient/observation setting where an acute care patientreceives active treatment for an injury, episode of illness, a medical condition, or post intervention with assessment.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
Assesses patient’s needs and develops/revises an individualized plan of care based on patient needs and responses. Evaluates the patient’s progress toward attaining expected outcomes.
Respects diversity by building respectful relationships with all team members and customers.
Functions as a patient and family advocate.
Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit/ department.
Serves as a preceptor, charge nurse, unit educator, and/ or nurse clinician.
Communicates and collaborates with medical staff and interdisciplinary team to effectively plan and manage the unit/department.
Serves as a role model for staff and supports the hospital and nursing department’s goals and strategies.
Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span, assesses the data reflective of the patient’s status, and interprets the necessary information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his or her age specific needs.
Coordinates the care and delegates as appropriate to other team members on a defined group of patients.
Documents patient care in a knowledgeable, skillful, and consistent manner meeting all required and regulatory standards. This includes but is not limited to patient assessment, education, medication administration, treatments, and patient safety.
Demonstrates competency in nursing skills and use of patient care/unit equipment as defined by unit/department-specific requisite skills.
Prioritizes patient care in an ongoing manner in accordance with Evidence-Based Practice Standards of Care.
Practices effective problem identification and resolution.
Delegates tasks and duties to health care team members in accordance with the patient’s needs and the team member’s capabilities and qualifications.
Communicates appropriate information regarding patient condition or unit concerns to other health care team members.
Demonstrates caring practices by providing a compassionate and therapeutic environment for patients and their families.
Demonstrates awareness of legal issues and patients’ rights.
Collaborates with the education department and nursing leadership team to effectively transition and support new team members and/or students.
Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
Qualifications
Education/Training
Graduate of an approved school of nursing.
Meets all mandatory, developmental, and performance competency requirements for Orlando Health and unit/department. Licensure/Certification
Maintains current State of Florida RN license or valid eNLC multistate RN license
Maintains current BLS/Healthcare Provider certification.
ACLS, NRP, PALS, TNCC are required for certain areas. NRP required for Neonatal Intensive care Unit (NICU).
Must possess a valid driver’slicense and has reliable transportation to travel to perform job duties for Hospital Care at Home In-home nursing Experience
1 year experience required unless approved by AVP level or above.
Hospital Care at Home – Two (2) years acute care nursing experience required.
Requirements
Candidates must be graduates of an approved school of nursing with a current Florida RN license and BLS certification. At least one year of experience is generally required, with two years of acute care experience specifically for the Hospital Care at Home program.
professional certificate
Case Management
Patient Advocacy
Care Planning
Medication Administration
Patient Assessment
Patient Safety
Clinical Documentation
Critical Thinking
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Evidence-Based Practice
Acute Care Nursing
TeleHealth Technology
Benefits
Tuition reimbursement
Paid parental leave
Fertility benefits
Adoption assistance
Elder care
Loan repayment programs
Back-up childcare
NCLEX reimbursement
Free Kaplan review courses
Specialty certifications reimbursement
Debt-free degrees through Preferred Education Program
Free NCPDs for RN license
Dedicated RN career counselor
Posting details
Employment type
Unknown
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
0-2 yrs
Location
Lakeland, Florida
Posted
Jul 27, 2026
Closes
Jul 27, 2027
Application
Employer website
Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures. Other Related Functions
The professional nurse contributes to the knowledge and skills of others, and the continuous improvement of the quality of health care practice and organizational outcomes.
Participates and may lead unit level and/or organizational level committees of nursing practice and performance improvement.
Participates in department and organizational peer review, mentoring, and coaching regarding professional practice or role performance.
Practices efficient use of supplies and maintains a clean, safe, and organized work area.
Attends staff development in-services, department meetings, and/or nursing committee meetings.
Partners with the nursing leadership team to identify professional development needs.
Assumes responsibility for one’s own professional development and continuing education.
Performs all other duties as assigned. Hospital Care at Home (Program Functions – Patient Care Hub)
Administers patient care within the virtual hospital setting, Patient Care Hub, where an acute care patient receives active treatment for an injury, episode of illness, a medical condition, or post intervention with assessment.
Assesses through the use of TeleHealth technology thepatient’s needs and develops/revises an individualized plan of care based on patient needs and responses. Evaluates the patient’s progress toward attaining expected outcomes.
Capable of using TeleHealth technology to conduct virtual patient care visits to our hospital at home patients; assess clinical symptoms, possess critical thinking skills and ability to escalate potential patient decompensation.
Collaborates with the in-home clinical and support staff team to effectively support the patient care needs.
Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned virtual unit/ department. Hospital Care at Home (Program Functions – In-home Nursing)
Administers direct patient care within the hospital at home inpatient home setting where an acute care patient receives active treatment for an injury, episode of illness, a medical condition, or post intervention with assessment.
Assessesthepatient’s needs and contributes to the individualized plan of care based on patient needs and responses.
Ability to travel and enter patient homes as the patient hospital at home and place of service within a specific geographical region.
Collaborates with the virtual Patient Care Hub clinical team and support staff team to effectively deliver care to support the patient care needs.
Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit/ department. Competency to address any urgent and or emergent patient needs as directed.
Demonstrates competency to work autonomously and be productive in a hospital at home environment.
Capable of using in-home virtual technology to connect with the Patient Care Hub and conduct virtual visits for patients in the home
Transports and delivers items, equipment, and medications (excluding controlled substances and IV chemotherapy drugs) as requested.
Market context
Florida nursing roles remain in steady demand
In Florida, nursing roles are typically in steady demand across hospice, hospital, and other care settings, especially for RNs who can work independently and adapt to varied patient needs. These positions are competitive because employers often look for current RN licensure, at least one year of experience, active BLS certification, and reliable transportation, while benefits commonly include health insurance, professional development, and a supportive work environment. Before applying, confirm your license, BLS status, and driving readiness, and review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time versus reading the full original posting.
